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Photo by Graham Cullen
Dick Bittner discusses "green farming" as he draws attention to a blue bird house at Fox Haven Farm in Jefferson Sunday. |
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Jefferson — Planting trees, using manure and utilizing solar energy for electricity were just several Earth friendly techniques used at Fox Haven Farm. These green efforts were on display Sunday afternoon during the Going Green Field Day and Farmers Market at the farm. The free event featured tours, education on green techniques and a farmers market. One of the vendors was Bill McGiffin who was selling honey from the more than 20 hives he keeps. McGiffin got into beekeeping when he noticed the trees and flowers were not pollinating in his backyard. A friend brought over a hive and he has been beekeeping for more than 16 years. He does admit to getting stung a lot, but it doesn't bother him much now. His bees' honey is local and not pasteurized or heated. "It's still raw honey," he said. The event, sponsored by the Maryland Cooperative Extension, was put on to show small family farms how they can conserve and practice sustainable living, said Harriett Crosby, Fox Haven owner. About 200 people attended the event and Crosby thinks many came because they wanted to learn new green practices. Crosby began buying the farm in the 1980s and owns more than 550 acres. She bought it because she did not want to see the land developed. Farm manager Dick Bittner and Crosby collaborate on many green projects on the farm which is certified for organic hay and vegetable production and uses solar energy for power to its well. Instead of using chemicals to fertilize the soil, he uses clover, which is rich in nitrogen, to put the nutrient into soil. It is plowed and used to grow orchard grass which will be bailed into hay when it grows high enough. More than 80,000 trees native to the area have been planted at the farm, including American chestnut trees which they are trying to make stronger through breeding with Chinese chestnut trees. The efforts have helped to improve the health of the land and slow runoff into the Chesapeake Bay. The farm is also home to several bee hives whose occupants help pollinate, and bluebird boxes. "We are using nature to heal nature," she said.
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