Sustainability Initiatives
At Groundworks Farm we are always looking for ways to reduce our environmental footprint. Here are some of the things we are doing right now:
1% For the Bay: We donate 1% of profits to projects that protect our waterways and the Chesapeake Bay through our friends at the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.
Recycling Program: We recycle and re-use everything we can. We separate and recycle glass, plastic, metal, cardboard and paper.
Composting: Compost is a part of our fertility program, and a great way to recycle produce that goes bad, animal manure, and wood chips into a useful product for growing produce.
Cover Crops: After a cash crop comes out of a field, we plant cover crops such as rye and vetch to soak up and capture any leftover nutrients that might leach into the ground water.
Low Tillage: Our low tillage farming systems protect our aquifers, waterways, and soil biology. We are constantly working to reduce our tillage even further in an effort to grow better crops, use less fossil fuels, increase soil organic matter, and be better stewards of the land.
Food Scraps: Through our partnership with La Prima Catering, we recycle tons of vegetarian food scraps each week as pig and chicken feed. Our pigs and chickens cannot get enough.
Local Food Sales: Our food sales are 100% local, keeping our carbon footprint as low as possible.
Food Donations: We donate our extra produce to many local charities, including: the Maryland Food Bank (Salisbury, MD), Diakonia (West Ocean City, MD), the Society of Saint Andrew (Salisbury, MD), the Bridges to Independence Womens’ Shelter (Arlington, VA), ALIVE (Alexandria, VA), and the Carpenters’ Shelter (Alexandria, VA). We strive to reduce our food waste and help people in need. We take this very seriously. Absolutely ALL Produce Shares that are not picked up are donated to needy families in your community!
Solar Power Goals: We are pursuing our Farm Goal of being completely solar powered!
