Frostburg Grows: Grow-it-local Greenhouse Project

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In 2017, Frostburg Grows (FG) had its best vegetable production and sales year since starting in 2012. We grew and sold over $6,000 of produce to Chartwells at Frostburg State University (FSU) and other local buyers. The proceeds have helped to run the non-profit high tunnel greenhouse and local food project on a former coal mine in Frostburg.

Through a cooperative arrangement with farmers attending the Frostburg Farmers Market, FG also assisted in collecting and donating 3,000 pounds of fresh locally grown produce and other food items to the Western Maryland Food Bank.  A large portion of the donated fresh produce was grown at FG.

We had several significant moves and changes to our staff and volunteers in 2018. Corey Armstrong joined the Potomac State College Sustainable Agriculture Entrepreneurship (SAGE) program. Kate Livengood took a position with University of Maryland Extension and will coordinate efforts of the Western Maryland Food Council. Amber Haning is now a VISTA member and Kyle Cessna is our new AmeriCorps member.

FG was featured on Maryland Public Television’s Farm and Harvest Show on Jan. 9. The segment had interviews and appearances by Paul Kazyak, Willie Lantz and Amber Haning of FG, as well as Adam Kenney, chef with Chartwells at FSU. The program will be viewable online at: http://www.mpt.org/programs/farm/farm509/

FG received a $5,000 grant from the Delfest Foundation, and in partnership with the Foundation for Frostburg will use these funds to double the size of our community garden high tunnels, develop and offer workshops in gardening and community gardens, and engage student veterans from FSU.

In 2018, we will again work with students and teachers at Mountain Ridge Highschool to start and grow crop plants in their greenhouse. We also are conducting a five-year evaluation of success and changes needed for the future. To learn more or to get involved, contact Dan Fiscus at dafiscus@frostburg.edu or 240-522-4243 or visit Frostburg Grows on Facebook.