Summerseat Farm would like to cordially invite you to an afternoon of fine wine, music and food in the beautiful gardens of

Summerseat Farm
Saturday, June 11, 2011
2:00 PM – 6:00 PM

$20.00 per person

Cost includes a commemorative wine glass and a tasting of selected wines from wineries of the Patuxent Wine Trail

Chef Loic of the Café Des Artistes will present hors d’oeuvres to pair with the wine.

Summerseat Farm, Inc. is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization operated entirely by volunteers. Your support will help us preserve over 120 acres of historic farmland dating back to the 18th century.

Mark your calendars! At 8:30 PM on Saturday 26th March 2011, lights will switch off around the globe for Earth Hour. Earth Hour has done a lot to raise awareness of sustainability issues.

Last year 128 countries and territories joined the global display of climate action. Iconic buildings and landmarks from Asia Pacific to Europe and Africa to the Americas switched off. People across the world from all walks of life turned off their lights and came together in celebration and contemplation of the one thing we all have in common – our planet.

This Earth Hour we want you to go beyond the hour, so after the lights go back on think about what else you can do to make a difference. Together our actions add up.

Go to http://www.earthhour.org to learn more

What is a college’s impact on the environment? This question will be addressed by a panel of experts, including Dr. Kevin Fletcher, executive director for Audubon International, at a symposium at 3 p.m. Friday, March 25, at St. Mary’s College of Maryland. The talk, “Sustainability – Living Responsibly,” is part of a weeklong celebration in St. Mary’s City that includes Maryland Day and the inauguration of the college’s new president, Dr. Joseph Urgo.

Also furthering St. Mary’s environmental efforts, the college opens its new Healing Garden near the Health Center and will conduct a ribbon-cutting ceremony to initiate the St. Mary’s Arboretum Association. Trees are being planted across campus, students will gather to clean up the campus, and packets of Black-Eyed Susans (the state flower) will be handed out. Through the rest of the semester, there will be public sessions on making rain barrels and a tour of habitats, and a walking tour of identified trees will be available.

The college has a long history of environmentally oriented campus improvements:

• In 2007, the college completed its first energy performance contract, reducing annual consumption of electricity by 16.5%, heating oil by 24%, and water by 35%. Furthermore, the student body also provided half of the funding for the installation of a geothermal heat pump system under the new James P. Muldoon River Center.
• In 2008, St. Mary’s became the first college in Maryland to be awarded the Certification in Environmental Planning from the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program. The college is also the site of one of two pilot programs for green buildings funded by the state of Maryland, with Goodpaster Hall receiving LEED Silver certification.
• In 2010, the college was one of four Maryland Green Registry Leadership Award Winners.
• And this January, St. Mary’s created a plan to achieve climate neutrality by 2020, committing to reducing its baseline greenhouse gas emissions by 30% and offsetting the remainder through off-campus investments.

“Being pro-active about our ecological footprint is a trait shared by students as well as faculty and staff at St. Mary’s,” said Urgo. “Sustainability is a key element of the college’s mission and our curriculum − as well, many of our student-led activities promote living responsibly.”

St. Mary’s College of Maryland, designated the Maryland state honors college in 1992, is ranked one of the best public liberal arts schools in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. More than 2,000 students attend the college, nestled on the St. Mary’s River in Southern Maryland.

The campaign to arsenic out of chicken feed is still going strong! Statewide, we have gathered nearly 3,000 postcards in support of the bill in the Spring and we have over 60 organizations and businesses that have endorsed the campaign. In St. Mary’s County, we have generated 37 hand-written letters to Senator Roy Dyson, showing him why we care about safe food.

We want to keep the momentum alive and get more people involved in this tremendous statewide effort.

Food & Water Watch will be hosting a FREE movie screening of Food, Inc.
Saturday, October 30th 1-3pm
Lexington Park Public Library

Food, Inc is an Academy Award Nominee for Best Documentary Feature for its take on the modern day industrialized food system. Featured in the movie is Carole Morrison, former Perdue contracted farmer, and her experience with chicken farming on the Eastern Shore.

We would love for you to be there! If you’re interested in volunteering for the event, please let me know.

Saturday, September 25, 2010
10 AM to 5 PM
at Historic St. Mary’s City

Wade In with Senator Bernie Fowler (2 PM)
Mutts Gone Nuts (1PM & 3 PM)
Tall Ships
Live Music, Dance, and Skits
Exhibits & Demonstrations
Kayaking, Oyster Tonging
Crafts, Artwork, Rain Barrels
Food & Drinks Available
FREE – Admission to the Museum
FREE – Conservation at home booklets
And Much More!

More Information at the St. Mary’s River Watershed Association