Calleva

Adventure is not in the guidebooks and beauty is not on the maps

Farm

Try the Best Summer Recipes from Calleva Farm Store

Discover More Than Just Produce at Calleva’s Farm Store

Calleva’s Farm Store offers more than just Calleva’s farm fresh produce, bread, and Flash’s famous cookies. Montgomery County and the surrounding area are home to some of the best vendors, bringing Farm Store customers the highest quality naturally prepared food and unique goods.

If you’ve ever walked in, been overwhelmed by the delight of all the sights and smells, and were left wondering what to make with all your new goodies, have no fear.

South Mountain Creamery: Fresh Dairy Delights

South Mountain Creamery, located in Middletown, Maryland, brings you fresh butter, milk, and ice cream. While ice cream is best served with a spoon straight into your mouth, it can also be enjoyed as an ice cream sandwich.

Snatch up two (or more) of Flash’s famous chocolate chip cookies and layer on your favorite South Mountain Creamery ice cream flavor. Enjoy responsibly with a pile of napkins and an appetite for a second one.

If you’re more in the mood for a savory treat, pick up some of their salted butter, and leave it out on a counter for 30 minutes to an hour to soften. Mix in some of your favorite herbs and spices and you’ll have a delicious, homemade seasoned butter to top your grilled summer vegetables (or a slice of homemade Calleva Sourdough).

Gordy’s Pickle Jar: Pickles, Relish, and More

Gordy’s Pickle Jar comes from Washington, D.C., just 25 miles east of the Farm Store. They stock three mouthwatering pickle products for all the salt-loving shoppers. Next time you’re in, pick up a carton of Calleva fresh eggs and a jar of Gordy’s Sweet Pepper Relish and make a batch of deviled eggs.

If you have a few more minutes on your hands, grab a jar of Gordy’s Chili Spears and make a unique snack that everyone will grab by the handful, chili brine mixed nuts.

Gordy’s also offers a treat for the 21+ crowd of Farm Store shoppers, a homemade Bloody Mary mix. To create a Michelada, add your favorite local beer to a chilled glass with some Gordy’s mix and squeeze some lime in.

Rustic Route Coffee Company: Locally Roasted Perfection

Coffee lovers are in luck with Rustic Route Coffee Company’s locally roasted delights. For anyone who wants to have their coffee and eat it too, try this recipe for chocolate donuts with a coffee glaze. Double up on the Calleva goodness by using eggs and Smith Mountain Creamery milk, also available in-store.

Sweeten Your Day with Calleva’s Local Honey

If your sweet tooth still hasn’t been satisfied, try the fresh and local honey, courtesy of the honey bees of Calleva. Tea lovers know the beverage is best sweetened with a spoon of high-quality honey, and they’re in luck with the selection of tea and honey in the Farm Store.

Try a new flavor with Calleva’s chocolate husks, cinnamon, and orange peel tea or Dandy Apothecary’s Cool Me Herbal Tea, and add some fresh honey for sweetness. For those looking for a dessert, test out Teresa Cutter’s recipe for Garden Olive Oil Cakes, where you can sample both Calleva honey and Mount Pelion Olive Oil.

Ethically Produced Food You Can Trust

Calleva’s commitment to ethically produced food extends to every item offered in the Farm Store, delivering food and goods you can trust.

Visit Calleva’s Farm Store in Poolesville, MD

Visit us at 19936 Fisher Avenue, Poolesville, MD 20837. The Farm Store is open Wednesday-Saturday 11 AM to 6 PM to get all your favorite local products.

The Crucial Role Of Honey Bees In The Agricultural Reserve

As we celebrate World Bee Day, it’s essential to recognize the invaluable contribution of honey bees to our ecosystem and agricultural landscapes. Montgomery County’s Agricultural Reserve is nestled within the picturesque countryside of Maryland.

Amidst rolling hills and verdant pastures, Calleva’s honey bees play a crucial role in pollination and honey production supporting local ecosystems and food systems alike.

The Importance of Honey Bees

Honey bees, often hailed as nature’s hardest workers, are indispensable pollinators responsible for the reproduction of countless plant species. This includes many of the fruits, vegetables, and flowering plants we rely on for sustenance and beauty.

In Montgomery County’s Agricultural Reserve, home to diverse crops and natural habitats, honey bees are essential for ensuring robust yields and biodiversity.

Pollination Process

The pollination process begins when honey bees visit flowers in search of nectar—a sugary liquid produced by flowers to attract pollinators. As bees collect nectar, pollen grains stick to their bodies, inadvertently transferring from flower to flower as they forage. This transfer of pollen is essential for fertilizing plants, allowing them to produce fruits, seeds, and new generations of plants.

More than 400 species of bees live here in Maryland. Honey bees are important for the local agriculture and economy. Additionally, native bees are crucial to the pollination of native plants. Native bees are declining due to habitat loss, pesticide use, diseases and climate change.

To help native bees, you can prioritize landscaping with a variety of flowering native plants. Incorporate plants that blossom throughout the year. Additionally, add plants that cater to the specific pollen and nectar requirements of native bee species.

You can provide nesting opportunities by preserving bare patches of soil and, where possible, fallen logs or deceased trees. Also, abstaining from pesticides use ensures a hospitable environment for all bees.

Honey Production

While pollination is the primary role of honey bees, they also produce one of nature’s most exquisite treasures—honey. The process of honey production begins when forager bees return to the hive with collected nectar. The nectar is then broken down into simple sugars and stored inside the honeycomb.

Through constant fanning of their wings, bees facilitate evaporation, transforming the nectar into sweet liquid honey. Once the honey is ready the bees cap the honeycomb off with fresh wax for storage. The color and flavor of honey vary depending on the type of nectar collected. The result is in a diverse range of honey varieties, from light blossom to dark amber or wildflower honey.

Bees produce more honey than needed by the colony to survive the winter. Beekeepers harvest this excess honey by collecting honeycomb frames and removing the wax caps that seal the honey cells. These frames are then placed in an extractor, which spins them to extract the honey.

After extraction, the honey undergoes straining to remove any remaining wax and particles. Finally, the honey is bottled, labeled, and ready for purchase at the Calleva Farm Store. Buying raw local honey offers health benefits as well⎯as detailed in Honey and Health: A Review of Recent Clinical Research.

The Role of Calleva Honey Bees

Within Montgomery County’s Agricultural Reserve, Calleva maintains several beehives populated by thousands of industrious honey bees. These bees play a vital role in pollinating the surrounding farmland and natural habitats, ensuring the health and productivity of the region’s ecosystems.

Honey bees in Maryland rely on Tulip poplar, Black locust, Willows and Basswood as some of their major nectar sources. Many people are surprised to think of trees as important forage for honey bees. The forested areas at the Calleva Farm play an important role in supporting local honey bee populations.

Calleva’s honey bees also contribute to the local economy and community through their honey production. Each year, Calleva harvests honey from their hives, offering a taste of the Agricultural Reserve’s bounty to residents and visitors alike. From golden wildflower honey to amber-hued clover honey, Calleva’s honey reflects the diverse floral landscapes of the region and the tireless work of its resident bees.

The Impact on Montgomery County’s Agricultural Reserve

In Montgomery County’s Agricultural Reserve, where farmland and open space converge, the presence of honey bees is essential for maintaining agricultural productivity and ecological balance. By pollinating crops such as apples, pumpkins, berries, and cucumbers, honey bees contribute to healthy harvests and vibrant ecosystems.

Additionally, the abundance of wildflowers and native plants in the Agricultural Reserve provides ample forage for honey bees, supporting their populations and promoting biodiversity.

Celebrate World Bee Day

As we commemorate World Bee Day, let us celebrate the remarkable contributions of honey bees to our world and recognize the vital role they play in sustaining ecosystems, supporting agriculture, and enriching our lives.

In Montgomery County’s Agricultural Reserve, Calleva’s honey bees serve as ambassadors of resilience, demonstrating the power of collaboration between humans and nature in creating a sustainable future for generations to come. Let us honor and protect these extraordinary creatures (and our native bees!), ensuring that they continue to thrive and flourish in our landscapes and hearts.

The Rich Heritage of Calleva’s Horse Adventure Programs

Embark on a captivating journey through time and tradition with Calleva Horse Adventure Programs (CHAPS). We will delve into the rich heritage that forms the foundation of our exceptional equestrian experiences. Discover the legacy, passion, and dedication that make Calleva’s horse programs not just an adventure, but a celebration of equine history.

Join us as we explore the profound connection between riders, horses, and the timeless spirit that defines our equestrian heritage. Saddle up for an immersive ride into the past, present and future of CHAPS. Where the legacy of horsemanship meets the thrill of adventure. Welcome to the captivating world of CHAPS!

Who is CHAPS?

Get an exclusive glimpse into the heart and soul of CHAPS.

Alice Cook

Calleva Horse Adventure Programs (CHAPS) Director

Alice has been with Calleva since the summer of 2016 starting as an Head Counselor. Alice came to Calleva for CHAPs, our equestrian program. Working in outdoor education and with horses was always Alice’s dream job, and she loves that she now gets to do it as a career! In the summer, Alice also serves as the Assistant Director for our Explorers Camp. During the school year, she leads as an Instructor for our school and group programs.

Alice loves that she gets to work while surrounded by such a wonderful group of people and right alongside her horse. Her favorite activity is obviously horseback riding! Alice’s favorite part about her role is how she gets to be outside each day, and how no two days are the same.

    Ultimately, equine enthusiasts will find not just adventure, but a home for their equestrian dreams. The women steering the reins of CHAPS are an inspiration. With every hoofbeat echoing with a legacy of love for equines.

    What inspired the creation of CHAPS, and how has it evolved over the years?

    CHAPS was started by Mary Markoff, who is the mother of the three Markoff brothers who started Calleva. Her family was involved in summer camps when she was growing up. So, the CHAPS program evolved from summer camp offerings. Our year round programs came after that. It started as a way to give the horses a job over the year. 

    In 2014, we built the lesson programs along with the working student program into what you find today.

    The emphasis was to create a community of riders and horse enthusiast in it for both the outdoors experience and love of horses. There are a lot of barns that offer lessons, but tend to be focused on “in the saddle” skills. Consequently, children have little time to interact with horses and connect. So, this has been a drive over the last 10 years.

    Can you provide an overview of the CHAPs program and its significance within Calleva’s equine programs?

    CHAPS is Calleva’s equestrian program. We offer a wide variety of programs that are primarily geared towards accommodating young, inexperienced riders. In addition to our regular lesson program, we offer group programs. These include: one-time experiences for birthday parties and girl scout troops. Additionally we offer an after-school program that combines farm immersion, horsemanship skills, and riding skills. CHAPS is also critical for our HBR camp. The summer camp horses who begin their training in CHAPS programming before moving into summer camp.

    What are some of the unique features that set the CHAPS program apart from other equine programs in the region?

    The uniqueness of CHAPS lies in its holistic approach to outdoor education intertwined with horseback riding. Unlike traditional equestrian programs, CHAPS places a significant emphasis on horsemanship and instills a sense of responsibility for the well-being of the horses. Participants not only learn to ride but also develop a deep understanding of the caretaking aspects integral to horse ownership.

    At Calleva we are committed to the ethical treatment of its horses. We ensure they are not overworked, maintain their health and weight, and keep the environment clean and conducive to their well-being. The friendly barn environment, coupled with patient and kind staff, creates a nurturing space for participants to learn, fostering a connection between riders and their equine companions that goes beyond the saddle.

    What unique opportunities or experiences does CHAPS offer to participants compared to other equine programs?

    The working student program is a unique opportunity for teens. Our working students help riders gain skills both in and out of the saddle. They also help with farm and barn chores. The working student program trains youth to be skilled equestrians. As well, they learn to be leaders who model to younger riders.

    The working student program aims to create a community of riders within Calleva. We also invest in training our working students into becoming instructors. Once you’re with us, we don’t want to let you go, haha!

    Another unique opportunity at CHAPS is the endless trails at our disposal. Riders as well as boarders take advantage of the C&O towpath for trail riding. Easy access to the towpath offers a seemingly endless trail riding experience. You will run out of time and energy before you run out of trail.

    Ultimately, being a part of the broader Calleva community is something very special about CHAPS. Not only is there community in the barn, but we are able to participate in events like Pizza Night and Markoff’s Haunted Forest.

    Could you share a memorable success story or transformation you’ve witnessed from a participant in the CHAPS program?

    Staff transformation:

    One of our most dedicated staff, Emma Parker, began as a quiet and timid rider. She started in our after school Saddle Club in 2014. Through CHAPS, she grew more confident and more connected to both other riders and the horses. We were happy to welcome her back in 2022 as a riding instructor. We were not surprised when she was adored by all of her students.

    Horse transformation:

    Little Bit came to us as the youngest horse we had adopted. At the time, he was only five years old. He was a spirited and spicy horse. Also, he liked to buck his rider off on occasion. Over time, he grew into the program. Now, he is a pillar of the program.

    We met Cisco at an auction-type event where we’d pick out horses for camp each year. We were on our way out after trying out a few and deciding on a couple horses to lease for summer camp. I looked at Cisco as I walked past and his blue eyes were just staring at me, looking sad.

    This place is not always an ideal home for horses. They can get tossed around from barn to barn and can have bad experiences with negligent leasers. Something compelled us to give him a try. He was not attractive and also pretty shy. He turned out to be an amazing lesson horse who really has taken care of his riders (with the occasional nip!).

    One of our staff really connected with him. When it was time to return him, they decided to buy him for Calleva and the riding program. Cisco is now one of our pillars too. 

    How does the CHAPS program align with Calleva’s ethos of outdoor education and personal development?

    CHAPS is similar to other Calleva programs by pushing kids outside of their comfort zone in a safe environment with supportive staff. It is most important for our staff to support a rider pushing through a fear, at any level of riding or care.

    We emphasize participating in all aspects of the experience of handling horses: barn chores like mucking, horse care like grooming and caring for wounds as needed, keeping an organized environment, getting horses from and to fields. The horse-human connection is also a powerful benefit to mental health, so we help foster that.

    What type of activities or sessions are offered within the CHAPS program, and how do they cater to different age groups or skill levels?

    • Small group lessons: beginner to advanced intermediate (ages 7+)
    • Saddle Club: beginner to advanced beginner (ages 6 – 15)
    • TEEN Saddle Club: beginner to advanced beginner (ages 11 – 16)
    • Girl Scouts: beginner (ages 7+)
    • Birthdays: beginner (ages 7+)
    • Summer Camp: beginner to advanced (ages 9 – 15)
    • Tiny Tots: beginner (ages 3 – 6) 
    • Pony Picnics: preschoolers (ages 1 – 3)

    In what ways does the CHAPS program emphasize safety, education, and personal growth for participants?

    The Calleva CHAPS program prioritizes safety, education, and personal growth for participants through comprehensive measures and engaging experiences. Safety is paramount, as our instructors are certified by the Safety Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA), ensuring they possess the necessary skills to provide a secure environment for all riders. Additionally, our in-house training programs further reinforce safety protocols and best practices, instilling confidence in both participants and their families. Our staff members are equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to maintain a safe and secure environment for riders of all levels.

    Education is a fundamental aspect of our program, woven into every activity to promote a deeper understanding of horsemanship and farm management. Through summer camps, saddle clubs, and Girl Scout programs, participants learn about herd management, feeding practices, and caretaking responsibilities. Tasks like mucking stalls not only contribute to our compost pile but also teach valuable lessons in responsibility and environmental stewardship. Our aim is to empower participants with practical knowledge that extends beyond the arena, fostering a lifelong appreciation for farm life and animal care.

    Furthermore, personal growth is at the core of our program, with each activity designed to challenge and inspire participants to reach their full potential. Whether experiencing the daily routines of farm life during summer camp or assisting caretakers during saddle club visits, participants develop valuable life skills such as teamwork, empathy, and resilience. By providing opportunities for hands-on learning and meaningful interactions with horses, we nurture personal growth in a supportive and enriching environment.

    We encourage participants to challenge themselves, overcome obstacles, and discover their full potential both in and out of the saddle. As part of the larger Calleva community, we practice the challenge by choice approach. Through positive reinforcement, goal setting, and experiential learning opportunities, we empower individuals to cultivate essential life skills and thrive in all aspects of their lives.

    Looking ahead, what are some future developments for the CHAPS program at Calleva that participants and the community can anticipate?

    The future of Calleva CHAPS holds exciting prospects as we envision expanding our program to incorporate more equine therapy and equine-assisted therapy. Recognizing the profound impact horses can have on emotional and mental well-being, our goal is to provide therapeutic experiences that go beyond traditional horseback riding. Equine therapy offers unique opportunities for individuals to connect with horses, fostering personal growth, and enhancing emotional resilience.

    In addition to advancing our therapeutic offerings, we are passionate about extending the benefits of horseback riding to underprivileged youths and communities through outreach programs. Our commitment to inclusivity and accessibility drives our desire to make the transformative power of horse interactions available to a broader audience.

    By creating partnerships and outreach initiatives, we aim to break down barriers and provide meaningful equine experiences to those who may not otherwise have access, promoting a sense of empowerment and connection within diverse communities. The future of Calleva CHAPS is not only about expanding our therapeutic horizons but also about making a positive impact on a wider scale, ensuring that the joy and healing potential of horse-human connections reach everyone who can benefit.

    See you at the barn!

    In conclusion, Calleva CHAPS stands as a beacon of safety, education, and personal growth for all participants, embodying a commitment to excellence and holistic development. Through rigorous safety standards and certified instructors, we ensure a secure environment where riders can thrive and explore their passion for horsemanship. Our dedication to education extends beyond riding skills to encompass a deeper understanding of herd management and farm care, empowering participants with practical knowledge and fostering a lifelong connection to the equestrian world.

    Moreover, the CHAPS program is a catalyst for personal growth, offering transformative experiences that challenge individuals to push beyond their comfort zones and unlock their full potential. From overcoming fears to building resilience and teamwork skills, participants emerge from our program with newfound confidence and a profound sense of accomplishment. As we look to the future, we are excited to expand our offerings ensuring that the benefits of horse-human connections are accessible to all. Together, we embark on a journey of growth, empowerment, and community, guided by the enduring legacy of Calleva CHAPS.

    Farmnado

    “We are not in Kansas anymore” at least that is what I told my mid-western wife when I brought her to Maryland!

    Normally it is not hard to get motivated to go into work on Friday mornings because we all go skiing every afternoon with the Calleva Snow Club, but last Friday was a bit different.

    At 7:45, a tornado touched down on the Calleva Farm landing in the woods behind our amazing kitchen that brings you the Dirty Dinners and then cutting across fields to our Indoor Riding Arena where our CHAPS (calleva horse adventure programs) calls home.

    For 15 minutes, this 95+MPH winds took down 100+ trees, numerous horse sheds, lighthouse, bleachers, windmill, the Enchanted Forest and whatever happened to be in in the path of a decapitated or uprooted tree! Several of these structures were built by students that came to the farm for a senior project or as part of our agricultural programs learning about sustainable construction.

    Fortunately none of our staff, horses, cattle, or other farm animals were hurt when the tornado hit. Our mechanic Steve was in the woods and was able to get under his truck, all the animals laid down in the open fields, and staff stayed in their buildings while the trees fell.

    The thoughts of cleaning, rebuilding and figuring out options for where there once was many trees feels quite overwhelming but somehow pales in comparison to the tremendous outpour of support and love. From camper families, community leaders, local clubs, churches, alumni, childhood friends, it is just a great reminder that we are so lucky to have such a supportive and caring community.

    We are planning for 3 community days next week. Our plan is to do a MASSIVE CLEAN-UP on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 2-6pm. Calleva Staff will be leading teams on a multitude of projects from tree branch removal, dismantling of sheds, reclaiming and recycling resources, fixing fields, and picking up debris from woods and fields.

    We hope to see you all and look forward to working alongside our friends. Please bring good work boots, work gloves, and proper safety gear. We are asking all volunteers to sign waivers and will be serving food from our kitchen. Volunteers will be directed upon arriving at the farm.

    Calleva Farm
    19120 Martinsburg Road
    Dickerson MD 20842

    Thank You!
    Matt Markoff

    Calleva Farm Store Sneak Peek

    Last week we had the incredible opportunity of opening the doors of our new office and farm store to the public during our Farm Store Sneak Peek! Thank you so much to everyone that came out to show your support, as well as supporting the Manna Food Center with your donations. We had the authors of the Bread & Beauty cookbook onsite signing copies of their amazing book, as well as Waredaca Brewing Company and Rocklands Farm Winery serving up some drinks from behind the bar.

    We’ll officially be opening the doors to our store on May 7th, so make sure to come by and visit and pick up some local honey, farm fresh produce, hand dipped candles, and more! Until then, enjoy these wonderful photos from the talented Chris Knowles Photography.

    Spring Happenings at Calleva

    Are you dreaming of summer? 

    I know I am.

    I love winter, but by mid-March I am ready for some warmer weather & sunshine. If this is you too, I’ve got some great news: 

    Spring has Sprung at Calleva!!

    There is literally something for everyone at Calleva this Spring.

    • Our Liquid Adventures Kayaking School (LAKS) office at Riley’s Lock is getting a facelift as the team prepares for spring paddling classes & excursions.
    • “The Lab,” our main office on Fisher Avenue in downtown Poolesville, is bustling with activity around spring paddling, equestrian, and Farm & Forest school registrations PLUS a full schedule of farm workshops.
    • The brand new Calleva Farm Store opens soon in Poolesville! We’re hosting a “Sneak Peek” Happy Hour on March 29 where you can meet the authors of Bread & Beauty, a cookbook that features stories from the Montgomery County Agricultural Reserve and support Manna Food Center.
    • We’re accepting reservations for the 2019 Dirty Dinners farm-to-table series – and the springtime (May 18) Farm & Forage themed dinner is filling fast.
    • The Calleva Farm team is busy planting & welcoming new livestock (baby chicks and more!) in preparation for a full season of delicious food & farm fun.
    • Our Beekeeper Brokeback has a great line up of Beekeeping Classes this spring open to everyone who is interested in adding bees to their list of hobbies.
    • Our summer camp staff are heading to the American Camp Association conference this week, as planning & prep intensifies for our almost-full summer camps! Calleva’s MD camp open house will be held at Riley’s Lock on May 11, and our Calleva VA camp open house will be held at the Madeira School on May 18th.

    Take a few minutes to graze through the web site for more information about all the options. We’d love to give you a jump start to springtime. See you soon!

    Winter on the Calleva Farm

    It’s winter time around Calleva, which means a little peace and quiet after our Spring/Fall school programs and busy Summer Camp season. Even though we might be trying to take our long winters nap, things on the farm are still busy as ever! While we celebrate the holidays, folks are still out to care for the animals and working on projects to get ready for our 2019 season.

    I am reminded of years ago when my wife and I cared for the horses around the Calleva farm. On Christmas morning before the stockings were opened, or gifts unwrapped, we headed out across the snowy fields to make sure everyone got their Christmas breakfast. Even my mother and brother joined in with the chores. The horses, cows, and other animals don’t take a day off, so neither did we. While this Christmas I got the sleep in and didn’t have to trudge out to feed and muck, there were still those folks who did including Marlon, Max, Finney and many others that keep our farm going year round.

    For us it’s worth all the hard work, and just part of our goal to provide for and educate the countless students, campers, and guests that step foot on our farm. Whether it be for a Dirty Dinner, a school program on sustainable agriculture, or even a group coming out to build benches as a service project, The Calleva Farm is the place to be!

    ~ Dave “Brokeback” Harding – Resident Beekeeper and more

    Click To Find Out More About Our Farm

     

    Winter Happenings Around The Calleva Farm

    Our chicken coop gets a makeover before the snow comes. A solid roof and a cinderblock foundation to keep out predators are all part of the upgrades to keep our flocks happy and healthy.
    Chickens free ranging around the raspberries during the construction of our new chicken coop.
    Students from the Sheridan school came out to learn out sustainability and our saw mill, and then constructed their own benches with the milled wood to take back and beautify their campus.
    These warm winter days means the bees are still out buzzing around. There are currently 8 colonies out on the Calleva farm, as well as an educational hive for students to examine and learn more about these amazing pollinators.
    Max and company have been busy in the kitchen trying out a few potential recipes for our 2019 Dirty Dinners. This was one of our farm raised broiler chickens with a little sage, lemon, white wine, bone broth and salt and pepper. Looks delicious!

    Click To Find Out More About Our Farm

    Farm Events and Workshops

    Through a series of circumstances, I ended up taking on a much larger role in Dirty Dinners last year. Though definitely stressful, I really feel like the experience promoted a lot of personal growth for me and inspired me to think up more events to throw at the Calleva farm. The farm is a very special place, but though Calleva’s camps and Markoff’s Haunted Forest are well known in the area, the fact that we are a working farm with market animals and an intensive vegetable operation comes as a surprise to many people I’ve spoken with. Thus the idea to bring more people to the farm, to experience all we have to offer first hand. This year we will be offering a number of workshops and events for families and individuals from the DC and Frederick areas to try their hands at some homesteading skills as well as some more social events featuring our farm fresh produce.

    I’m especially excited for our backyard chicken series. Many of our staff have been very helpful in taking care of our birds on the farm, and have gotten their own chickens over the years. During this workshop there will be a chicken processing demonstration for those interested in raising their own meat birds, or want to know what to do with an old “stew hen” that is no longer laying eggs. To me, this was one of the rites of passage into really seeing myself as a farmer. It’s always hard to take the life of something you see and care for every day, but if I made the decision to eat meat, it is important for me to know what goes into making my meal. That said, my meat consumption since coming to Calleva has gone down a lot. Partially for health reasons, partially because I feel that for the amount if work that goes into producing meat quality has to beat out quantity for me to feel ok consuming it. This concerns the quality of life for the animals and the farmers. The second part of this series concerns egg-layers. We have designed an optimal hen house for a backyard flock of 4-6 hens, which would supply a family with about a dozen eggs a week at peak laying time. We will provide the parts, tools and instructions to put together this kit, and a few coop – ready pullets to start. We will also talk about different chicken breeds and the unique considerations for raising chickens in the Mid-Atlantic.
    Another event I’m really looking forward to is another addition to our Dirty Dinner series – the Deadly Dinner. It will coincide with Haunted Forest time and allow us to feature the plethora of fall crops we will have and hopefully create a great haunting atmosphere, different from the forest, but still cohesive. I’m also hoping it will serve to remind people that they are on a farm, and that fall farm season isn’t just about pumpkin patches, corn mazes and hay rides (though that’s all great fun and has been a staple of agritourism for ages).

    Want more information?

    The Buzz about Calleva’s Bees

    Have you heard the buzz? The Calleva farm is getting a few new residents, and when I say a few I mean around 70,000! Now I know that seems like a lot, but when the little critters are the size of your thumbnail they won’t take up too much space. We’re super excited to be installing 7 new beehives in and around our farm this spring, as well as adding a great new resource to our agricultural education programs.

    Growing up in Bethesda I was pretty far away from any farms. We had a small garden in our back yard for growing tomatoes, but other than that the only thing in people’s yards was your friendly neighborhood dogs. The “homesteading” movement hadn’t caught on yet so there were no suburban backyard chicken flocks or large productive gardens replacing grass lawns, but next door to us we did have something a little out of the ordinary. Standing in our neighbors yard, just a few feet from our chain link fence, stood 3 large white beehives. Not typically what you’d find in a Bethesda backyard in the late 90’s, but there they stood with bees buzzing in and out on those warm sunny days.

    At first my brothers and I mostly tried to avoid those hives. Anytime someone would miss a catch and the lacrosse ball would soar across that fence, it was like the scene from the Sandlot. We’d try to slide a defenders long pole lacrosse stick over to see if we could reach it, but after a few failed attempts someone would have to lace up their shoes tight, jump the fence, and quickly try to retrieve the ball before the swarm attacked. Of course we’d make a big deal out of the situation, but honestly there wasn’t much to be afraid of. The bees didn’t really bother us at all, and soon we grew to appreciate them once the honey started flowing. Just like the bees we had to work for our honey by riding our bikes around town selling and delivering bottles of that beautiful golden nectar to folks, but it was worth it in order to receive our own supply. The coolest part was to think that the honey we were eating could have come from the azaleas in our front yard or the big cherry blossom across the street. That was my introduction to the beauty of beekeeping.

    Now 20 years later I’m excitedly standing next to the Calleva Activity Barn, about to crack into my first beehive to perform an inspection on the health of the colony. I’m a little nervous since it’s not something I’ve ever done before, but it’s refreshing to be “out of my comfort zone” since normally I’m the one telling others to do so. After a few puffs of smoke the bees just happily buzz around our heads while we pry open the stuck boxes and pull out a frame covered in honeycomb. The sweet smell of honey hangs in the warm air as we go through one by one pulling up and inspecting the 30 different frames that make up the hive. Before we know it everything ‘s back together and the bee’s return to flying in and out, depositing the pollen and nectar from the flowering forsythia growing all around. The experience was an awesome one, however it makes me sad that as a youth I didn’t ask to help my neighbor while he inspected his hives or harvested honey. There was so much knowledge I could have gleaned from him that now I have to figure out on my own. 

    While I may have regrets from not taking advantage of past situations, the great thing is that through Calleva I’ll be able to share the knowledge I now know with all the many campers and school students who come to the farm. In our future classroom they’ll be able to take a firsthand look into an observational hive and see the bees busy at work, as well as help to harvest the honey from off the frames. They’ll have the opportunity to learn all the things I wish I had about these beautiful pollinators without having to wait the 20 years like me. So next time you’re out around the Calleva Farm and you hear a buzz, its just our little bees hard at work making our gardens more beautiful and our farm a little bit sweeter.

    Author: Dave “Brokeback” Harding