Farms: Breezy Willow Farm: from the Land to the Hand
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Breezy Willow Farm Video Brings the Community Together in a Peaceful, Natural Setting; Markets CSA Program The Caulders have been growing vegetables and berries in Howard County, Maryland for Friends and Neighbors for over 35 years. We’re about Community; the Community that Supports Agriculture at Breezy Willow Farm. Taking you to the Caulder's family farm in rural Howard County, Maryland, the newly released video, Breezy Willow Farm: from the Land and the Hand, leads you through their day, from sunrise when their Rhode Island Red wakes them, through gathering eggs from their lovely, cage-free heritage laying hens, showing the love to their friendly Alpacas who provide the soft fiber, to applying sustainable farming practices using natural growing methods, and hand-picking top quality produce for the farm's CSA share members. Community-Supported Agriculture at Breezy Willow Farm "We are a place that you can come enjoy community while supporting the Breezy Willow Farm Community- Supported Agriculture (CSA) program," says RJ (Rose) Caulder who started her CSA program in her kitchen with just 12 shares in 2004. Since then, the family farm's CSA program has grown to include over 700 shares with some members traveling from nearly 50 miles away to obtain their shares. "We set ourselves apart from other CSAs by offering Value-Added products," adds Jason Caulder. The Caulders offer their Breezy Willow Farm community two seasonal Value-Added CSA programs, the Early-Bird share program that runs March-May and their Summer/Fall share program that runs June-November, with pick-up days at the farm and at several convenient locations throughout Howard County. When they arrive, "our CSA members check in to see what a bountiful share they will receive," says Jason Caulder. "Our members are able to select and receive between 10 and 11 seasonal, locally grown and/or produced items weekly. In addition to an assortment of 8 fruits and veggies, our members receive Value-Added products - farm-fresh eggs and premium breads from Great Harvest or The Breadery - each week. You don't purchase them as extra items. Herbs will be also be included when available at no extra charge." So how does the community sign up for one or both of Breezy Willow Farm's seasonal CSA programs? To learn more about Breezy Willow Farm's seasonal CSA programs and to sign up, visit Breezy Willow Farm's website - www.BreezyWillowFarm.com - where you may also find an abundance of recipes and tips on how to store and prepare the farm-fresh products provided each week through the CSA program. Bringing the Community Together What else does Breezy Willow Farm offer its community? Breezy Willow Farm welcomes you to take a drive in the country, to come together at the farm as a community. The farm is a great, natural setting for families to visit where friendly alpacas and friendly staff are waiting to greet you. Children will see where their food is actually grown and ask questions. There are also other opportunities for the community to become involved, such as the chance to participate through the farm's work-for-shares program. "When the community supports our local farm they are helping to keep agriculture alive in their own community of Howard County," says RJ. "In addition, when members sign up, they are feeding other families in need. We donate shares to needy families each week." All extra vegetables each week are picked by volunteers in the community and are donated to the Howard County Food Bank. Nothing on Breezy Willow Farm is ever wasted. The community is invited to visit farm store every Saturday, 10am to 2pm to pick up seasonally fresh, local produce and goods such as local cheeses, honey and breads. The farm store also has gift items such as Breezy Willow Farm's hand-made soaps and scarves or socks made from the soft fiber provided by the Alpacas. A Peaceful, Natural Setting Breezy Willow Farm: from the Land and the Hand was produced keeping in mind the serenity found on Breezy Willow Farm. Colamiles provided a special rendention of "Half Acre" (Cover: Hem) making it local to the State of Maryland. The lyrics to this special recording are beautiful, soul-soothing and were slightly modified to hearken us back to some of those memories that we love about living here in Maryland, which is especially true for the Caulders at their family-run farm, Breezy Willow Farm, where there is a peaceful, natural setting they call home. The video was produced by Alice Settle-Raskin of Alice's AgriMaryland for and in cooperation with Breezy Willow Farm. About Breezy Willow Farm: Learn more about Breezy Willow Farm and its CSA programs through visiting the farm’s website, www.BreezyWillowFarm.com or spend some quality time in the countryside this Saturday (or any Saturday) by finding your way to Breezy Willow Farm in West Friendship, Howard County, Maryland.
Comments
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Was a member of their CSA and enjoyed their wonderful variety of fruits and veggies (I think their tomatoes are some of the best I've ever had!), plus the value added bread and cheese weeks - yummm! I joined in as a work share another year and got to learn more about how everything worked and really enjoyed this part too. The people are friendly and helpful (check out all of the recipes they share on their website) when you go to the farm store or the local farmer's markets. There are also homemade pickles (some varieties that you can't even imagine - like one that tastes just like a cinnamon bun !!) and handmade shea butter products that were not shown on this video that are well worth the time to take a trip to the farm and investigate. Great people to work w/ and great foods to enjoy!!