ACM course promotes democratic process

From Staff Reports Cumberland Times-News


OAKLAND — Two Garrett County farmers who use heated high tunnels without burning fossil fuels will demonstrate their projects Saturday.

The demonstrations will begin at the Allen Lilly farm at 2207 King Wildesen Road at 10 a.m. Lunch will be provided at Harry Swartz’s farm at 4965 Gorman Road and the program will continue there at 1 p.m.

Allen and Kathy Lilly, owners of Ryan’s Glade Farm and Garden, have been producing fruits and vegetables for sale at the Mountain Fresh Farmers Market in Oakland for more than 10 years. They built their first high tunnel in 2006. In 2009, they received funding for their project titled Economical Climate Controls for Maximum Production in High Tunnel Vertical Growing Systems. It combines the use of wind power, high tunnels and vertical growing systems to produce strawberries from May through November.

Swartz retired from the University of Maryland after many years as a successful strawberry and raspberry plant breeder. In 2009, he partnered with University of Maryland Extension to construct a greenhouse that would use as little fossil fuel as possible.

The greenhouse was constructed with energy-efficient materials such as insulated concrete forms, twin poly carbonate and an insulated north wall. Solar water heating panels, typically used to heat swimming pools, were installed to heat water in a 1,000-gallon water tank attached to the greenhouse. The hot water is then circulated throughout the greenhouse using radiators as heat exchangers.

The entire system is controlled through computer monitoring connected to the Internet and records information live on the web. View a layout of the system and current conditions and charts at http://www.welserver.com/WEL0004/. The project is testing the feasibility of using solar water heating to possibly heat larger greenhouses or high tunnels.

These two systems will be demonstrated Saturday along with discussions with the farmers and University of Maryland Extension personnel on how the systems work. Call the Garrett County Extension Office at 301-334-6960 to register for the program.

More here.

Buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland? Call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues!

877-563-5350 - toll free

It's Farmers' Market Time!

'Like' on Facebook!

Support the Republican Newspaper! It's only $9.95/year for the online edition!

The local farmers' markets are now under way, with currently operating locations in Oakland and McHenry, according to the Garrett County Extension Office. Local farmers and other growers gather at the markets to sell fresh produce, plants, baked goods, and other items. Larry Thomas Jr., 13, is shown as he works at the Mountain Fresh Farmers' Market in Oakland for his family business, Busy Beaver Green House, located just outside town along Brookside Road in West Virginia. He mans the site on his own, with parents Larry and Laura Thomas at their Oakland work places checking in from time to time. This market, which is located at the pavilion in the town parking lot, will be open from now until mid-October on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Information about the Oakland market can be obtained by visiting www.Mountainfresh.org. The Deep Creek Lake Farmers' Market in McHenry, located in the parking lot of the Visitors Center, is open on each Thursday through September from 4 to 6 p.m. In mid-July through August, the McHenry market is also open on Saturdays from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. More information about that site can be found at www.Dclfarmersmarket.blogspot.com. Photo by Fabian Green.

More here.

If you or someone you know is considering buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues! As member of the Garrett County Board of Realtors, I can assist you with ANY listed property, regardless of the listing broker.

877-563-5350 Questions about ANY listed property? I can help! Call me!

Visit the 'I Love Deep Creek & Garrett County group' on Facebook! News, events, photos, real estate, community, info, more! 1,750+ members & growing!

Local Farmers' Market Season Beginning Now

Support the Republiucan Newspaper! It's only $9.95/year for the online edition!

Jun. 3, 2010

The Garrett County farmers' market operations are now partially under way, with the Deep Creek market having opened last weekend, and the Oakland market to open this weekend. The market in Grantsville will open in July.
The Deep Creek Lake Farmers' Market will be in operation now through Sept. 2 on Thursdays from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Garrett County Visitor's Center parking lot in McHenry.

The Deep Creek Lake Farmers' Market Association hosts producer-only farmers' markets featuring farmers and bakers within a 50-mile radius of McHenry.

For more information, persons may visit www.dclfarmersmarket.blogspot.com or call 301-334-6960.

The Oakland Mountain Fresh Farmers' Market will be held June 5 through Oct. 30 on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The market is operated at the town pavilion in the municipal parking lot, located off Second Street.

The Mountain Fresh Producers' Association also hosts producer-only farmers' markets, featuring fresh produce, herbs, honey, jams and jellies, baked goods, plants, crafts, and fall decorations from the mountaintop area.

For more information, persons may visit www.MountainFresh.org or call 301-334-6960.

The Grantsville Farmers' Market will be held July through October on Tuesdays from 5 to 7 p.m. It will offer fresh produce and other products from farms throughout the region.

For more information about any of the farmers' markets in Garrett County, persons may call 301-334-6960.



If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350 Deep Creek Lake Info, Business Directories, Classified Ads, Events & more! Advertise on http://www.deepcreekalive.com/!

Mountain Fresh McHenry Farmers Markets Today

Make sure to stop by and check out the farmers market going on today (and every Thursday) at the Garrett County Visitor's Center. There is a chart on their website showing what's available each week, based on the time of year. A great place to buy organic foods, homegrown tomatoes, strawberries and more!

A press release from the Chamber of Commerce website:

Mountain Fresh Produce Association Farmers Market
06/19/2008-09/29/2008The Mt. Fresh McHenry Farmers Market will be opening in a new location for the 2008 season on June 19. The Garrett County Chamber of Commerce Visitor’s Center parking lot will host the market this year.

“We’re excited that the Garrett County Chamber of Commerce is allowing the market to be held in their parking lot,” said Cheryl DeBerry, Agriculture Marketing Specialist for Garrett County Economic Development. “The location on Visitor’s Center Drive is very visible from Route 219 and should be a prime location for a successful farmers market.”The 2008 market will also be held on different days and times. “Having the market on Monday and Thursday evenings will allow people leaving work to stop by the market on their way home,” said Lori Schmuck, vendor at the McHenry Farmers Market.

“They can have the freshest vegetables and baked goods in the county on their dinner table that evening.”Mountain Fresh McHenry Farmers Markets will be held June 19 through August 28 on Mondays and Thursdays from 4:00 to 6:30 pm at the Garrett County Visitor’s Center parking lot off Rt. 219 in McHenry. Mountain Fresh Oakland Farmers Markets will be held June 7 through October 29 on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm at the Mt. Fresh pavilion by the Oakland town parking lot off Second Street. The Mountain Fresh Producers Association hosts producer-only farmers markets featuring fresh produce, herbs, honey, jams and jellies, baked goods, plants, crafts, and fall decorations from the mountaintop area. For more information, visit http://www.mountainfresh.org/ or call 301-334-6960.