Airlie's organic culinary garden is a sustainable agriculture project established by Airlie Foundation
in partnership with the Humane Society of the United States. The garden, known as the Local Food Project at Airlie, employs an organic farmer who collaborates with Airlie chefs and
grows a wide variety of vegetables, herbs and flowers for the kitchen.
The project promotes the benefits of local food systems and sustainable food production using natural methods. The garden, located a short walk from Airlie House, offers tours and educational seminars throughout the growing season. See a
sample menu for our garden dinner.
2008 Local Food Project Calendar of Events
March 28 - 29
The Integrated Modern Homestead Workshop & Follow-Up Homestead Tour
The Workshop, March 28- (Friday 9:00 am -5:00pm) Cost $60.00 per person, includes lunch. This one-day seminar given by Harvey Ussery (Hume, VA) will provide participants a close-up view of the integrated, multi-functional system Harvey continues to evolve on his modern homestead. A frequent contributor to Mother Earth News and Backyard Poultry, Harvey will share a wealth of experience and innovation in holistic, synergistic, and energy-savvy backyard food production. Maximum 40 participants.
The Follow-Up Homestead Tour, March 29 (Saturday 9:30 am-12:00 pm) Cost $20.00 per person, transportation and lunch not provided (carpools to Harvey’s homestead can be coordinated during the workshop the day before). This optional follow-up tour of Harvey’s homestead site in Hume, VA will greatly enhance the Integrated Modern Homestead workshop experience as tour participants get an up-close look at Harvey’s synergistic food project in action. All proceeds from the March 29 tour will go towards the Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund. Maximum 40 participants.
Contact Pablo Elliott at 540-347-1300 or email, pelliott@airlie.org.
April 10 - 11
Tractor Safety, Use and MaintenanceA Two-Day Course
(Thursday and Friday 9:00-5:OOPM) Cost $150 per person, includes a box lunch both days. Shane LaBrake (Accokeek, MD), an agricultural consultant with over fifteen years of organic vegetable production experience, will work closely with participants in this hands-on workshop that will provide the knowledge and confidence for safe & effective tractor use on a small farm. Maximum 12 participants.
Contact Pablo Elliott at 540-347-1300 or email, pelliott@airlie.org.
May 8
Organic Garden Primer Workshop
(Thursday 5:30-7:00 PM). Cost $5 per person. Local Food Project Director Pablo Elliott will cover the basics of effective organic gardening, from healthy soil building to natural pest management to the wonderful world of compost! Pablo will demonstrate his simple hand methods for preparing garden beds and improving clay soil.
Contact Pablo Elliott at 540-347-1300 or email, pelliott@airlie.org.
July 2
Small Space, High Yield Gardens Workshop and Food Indepence Celebration
(Wednesday, workshop 5:30 - 7:00PM; celebration 7:00 - 8:00 pm) Cost $5 per person. In this workshop, Local Food Project Director Pablo Elliott will present his ongoing experimentation and experience with intensive organic food production, inspired by the work of John Jeavons, Director of Ecology Action and Author of
How to Grow More Vegetables Than You Ever Thought Possible on Less Land Than You Can Imagine.
Contact Pablo Elliott at 540-347-1300 or email, pelliott@airlie.org.
September 4
Local Food Project Annual Harvest Dinner & Dialogue
(By Invitation)
January 9, 2009
3rd Annual Local Food Project Conference
MORE INFORMATION TO BE ANNOUNCED.

To learn more about the
Local Food Project at Airlie visit the Airlie Foundation web site at
www.airlie.org.