| The 2024 Hiking Spree is here! We hope you will join us as we head outside over the next 6 weeks to explore the 40+ miles of trails here at Willowsford. Whether you are a seasoned hiker, or just starting out, we hope you will embrace this adventure to explore the incredible nature nestled here in our community. Register here to receive email reminders and updates about the spree. Don’t forget to submit each hike you do between now and June 30th to win prizes and get entered to win our raffle!
Check out some of the guided and group hikes we are offering below and email us at info@willowsfordconservancy.org if you have an idea for a guided hike!
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| Yoga At The Farm Stand Is Back! |
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| Get your downward dog on at the Farm Stand! We’re excited to have Jennifer of JKS Yoga join us again for yoga classes at the Farm Stand!
This beginner-friendly class will take you through a series of poses to help you take in the sights and sounds of nature at the Farm Stand. This will be a monthly program on June 8th, July 14th, August 10th, September 14th, and October 5th.
You can buy individual tickets at each event page or buy a season pass by emailing email us at info@willowsfordconservancy.org — buy the pass and you’ll get one class for free! |
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| The History of Farm Stands |
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| In celebration of the Farm Stand re-opening this week, Farmer Anna did a deep dive into the history of Farm Stands! While our Farm Stand may be unique with its location and hours, the history of roadside Farm Stands and markets goes way back before the founding of Willowsford. Road-side stands have been a staple throughout modern history and the first modern farmer’s markets (think blocked off streets and tents) can even be traced back to the World War II era, when farmers in California would sell their extra produce in cities. Continue reading this Field Note by Farmer Anna, here.
Farm Updates…
The Farm Stand is Open! Have you stopped by this season?! The Farm Stand is now open weekly on Thursday from 4 – 7 PM and Saturday from 9 AM – 1 PM. Check out the events page for details and happenings.
New Text Reminders Available! We’re excited to announce the launch of text reminders from Willowsford Farm. Never miss placing your order again by signing up here or texting CARROT to 571-888-8395
Do You Prefer Shopping Online? We’ve got you covered – shop the Online Farm Store for a convenient shopping experience. Weekly delivery is available – or you can stop by and pick up your order at the Willowsford Farm Stand, Boat House or Onelife Fitness Brambleton. The selection changes weekly – now available : apples, herbs, local flowers, greens, radishes + more! |
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| Join the Conservancy Board |
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| We have several exciting opportunities for residents to participate in the leadership of the Conservancy. The board is looking to fill one vacancy for the Board of Trustees. The term would begin in September. The board is particularly interested in candidates with legal or financial experience. There also are opportunities to serve on a newly formed Advisory Board, which would require less of a time commitment than serving on the Board of Trustees.
The Advisory Board was formed as part of our strategic plan and allows for the creation of committees to work on specialized projects. Two committees are forming now: a Land Use Committee and a Fundraising Committee. There also is a call for general expertise to serve on the Advisory Board. Applications for all opportunities are due by 5 pm on Friday, June 7. Please apply here. Please reach out to us at info@willowsfordconservancy.org if you have any questions. |
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Stewarding the Trees of Willowsford
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| Our Land Stewardship team takes care of thousands upon thousands of trees across the 2,000+ acres that we manage. The vast majority of them are mature and comprise the wooded areas around our camping amenities, our trails, and the open space behind your homes. You can play a role in helping us take care of them. Trees sometimes topple due to natural causes, such as the weight of a snowfall, storms or lightning. If you come across a downed tree blocking a trail, contact us at info@willowsfordconservancy.org or submit a work order request and we will come address it as soon as we can. Sharing the location and a photo is also very helpful.
If you have a concern about a dead tree in Conservancy Open Space, it is important to assess if it will cause damage to humans or property and how at risk it is of falling. Standing dead trees, also known as snags, can often remain standing for decades. It is the Conservancy’s policy to leave these snags in place since they provide value to forest ecosystems as long as they are not a safety concern. Snags and logs (and woody debris they generate) are micro-ecosystems that contain a diversity of wildlife in a small area. The insects found in decaying wood matter provide a fundamental food source for many birds, mammals, amphibians, and reptiles while also providing habitat for salamanders, turtles, and small mammals. Additionally, decaying woody debris recycles nutrients back into the soil which increases forest health. Snags also provide nesting habitat for a number of birds called “cavity nesters”. Woodpeckers, chickadees, bluebirds, swallows, owls, bats, and other wildlife species all utilize cavities found in snags. Studies have shown that more life can exist in a snag than in a live tree. |
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| The Heart of Our Community |
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What Makes Our World A Little Brighter? Our Community.
This week we’re highlighting: The amazing folks who helped us spruce up the Farm Stand this season: Jill, Jack, Leah, Pete, John, Karen, Rob, Yutao, Mike, and a gaggle of kids. It was no small undertaking since the structure is open to the elements and this team truly cares. In addition to their sweat, they also brainstormed ways to improve the customer experience (who come visit tomorrow from 9 am to 1 pm to say hi to Deb and see the new layout). They also helped us with some gardening and so much cleaning!Thank you also to the wonderful customers who shopped our Mother’s Day Native Plant Sale and had chats with Sam about their gardens, love of pollinators, and interest in improving the Conservancy Open Space. We will have Sarah selling native plants tomorrow at the Farm Stand and our full selection is also available online for local pick up.
To all of you who didn’t make the newsletter, but showed up to engage and support our efforts: We. Appreciate. You. |
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| With our Summer CSA season here, we’re looking for a few more humans to lend us a hand this season. Below are a couple of options – one for those on the shy side and one for the extrovert who enjoys providing high quality customer service.
Produce Bagging
Lend a hand by helping the Farm Team pre-pack produce to be distributed through the CSA and the Online Farm Store. Come and learn about the produce grown on the farm, spend time with other community members and the Farm Team, and see the inner workings of Willowsford Farm.
Learn more & sign up, here.
CSA Host at the Willowsford Farm Stand
CSA distribution hosts are responsible for managing vegetable, egg, and flower share pick-ups, ensuring that members retrieve all the correct items and that the pick-up experience is easy and enjoyable. Knowledge of or interest in cooking with seasonal ingredients a plus! Hosts also will help a farmer set-up and break-down shares, organize the space before, during and after pick-up, and make notes of missed pick-ups.
Learn more & sign up, here.
And, if you are looking to volunteer out in nature, consider…
Ecosystem Training & Volunteer Workday
Join us as we work to improve the special ecosystems here at Willowsford! You’ll have the opportunity to learn about some of the land management challenges we face here and get hands on experience in the field helping our Land Stewardship Team. On this workday, volunteers will meet at the Willowsford Farm Stand to remove invasive carpetgrass (also known as arthraxon) from the Wet Meadow.
Date: Thursday, June 20th
Time: 4-6PM
Learn more & sign up, here |
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Food Trucks
We’re excited to share that we’ll have food trucks all summer along! Stop by the Farm Stand and Boat House every Thursday between 4-7pm for an easy and delicious dinner from one of our food truck partners. Every Saturday WeirdDoughs will at the Farm Stand with bagels and coffee!
Here’s our Thursday lineup for the new few weeks:
May 23rd at the Farm Stand: Philly Best Cheese Steak
May 23rd at the Boat House: Dadge’s Filipino
May 30th at the Farm Stand: Bliman Indonesian Foods
May 30th at the Boat House: KT Pizza
Intro to Archery
This activity is hosted by the Willowsford Archery Club and limited to Willowsford Residents and their guests. A small class, with high instructor/student ratio, which covers topics including an introduction to the Willowsford Archery Club, shooting styles, safety, eye dominance assessment, basic shooting technique, and equipment purchase advice. All equipment will be provided (bows, arrows, finger tabs, arm guards). If you have your own equipment, you are welcome to use it during the class.
Date Offerings: June 2
Time: 12:00 – 3:00 PM
Register: Resident portal login, here + event registration, here
Farm Stand at the Boat House
Stop by the Boat House on Thursdays during CSA pickup to shop our miniature Farm Stand! Each week our farmers will stock our fridge with eggs, veggies, beverages, ice cream, and other favorites from the Farm Stand!
Date: Thursdays
Time: 4:00 – 6:00 PM
Ultimate Explorer Summer Camp
Willowsford Conservancy is teaming up with Natural Leaders to bring a week of nature-based camp to Willowsford this July! The Ultimate Explorer Summer Day Program is an outdoor drop-off camp that meets Monday through Friday. Students will have the time of their lives exploring the wilds of Willowsford and making friendships while developing self-reliance skills they will carry with them forever. From hiking trails and exploring creeks to learning primitive survival skills like shelter building and fire making, this camp is perfect for any kid between the ages of 7 to 12 for outdoor adventure!
Dates: July 22-26
Time: 9 AM – 4 PM
Learn more & register, here
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Our Mission Is
To protect our land and promote conservation and sustainable farming so that our community discovers a deeper connection to nature and each other.
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