Another MAG Workday at the Farm

Here are some pictures for our second MAG Workday at the Farm held on March 22, 2014. If you aren’t already aware, MAG stands for Midshipmen Action Group. It is a program we are passionate about. We had 21 Mids spend the entire morning helping to clear vines and trees from an area to expand the Sharing Garden for four additional plots and for a ‘High Tunnel’ Greenhouse (24’ X 30’) which will be constructed north of the existing Sharing Garden and just west of the Servant’s Quarters.
As you can see below, there was excellent work that took place on Goshen Farm. Thank you also to the assistance of our other partners, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, and the Anne Arundel Soil Conservation District.
MAG Workday Project Before

This photo shows the future Sharing Garden expansion area slatted four new garden plots. Note the evasive that have strangled the area where the new plots will be.

Midshipmen At Work at Goshen Farm

Here you can see most of the rampant growth has now been removed. The first sections of the relocated Garden Fence are being installed by energetic Midshipmen.

The Mids had previously come to work on the Soil Health Education Pit. The excavated soil serves as a berm to direct surface water from entering the excavated pit.  Several sections of Stockade Fence have been installed surrounding this area.  (Thank you to Fence and Deck Connection for your contributions.) The earth berm was later seeded with five varieties of native plants. Then it was mulched with straw to assist in germination and to prevent soil erosion.
Midshipmen cleaning out the previously dug Education Soil Health Pit

Midshipmen are cleaning out the previously dug Soil Health Education Pit.

Thank you Mids + Partners

Thank you to the Naval Academy and the Anne Arundel Soil Conservation District for the end of the day treat!  A good day of work, learning (discussions on Ground Penetrating Radar and Maryland Soils) were enjoyed by all, and much work was donated to the Goshen Farm.
MAG Workday at the Farm After

Midshipmen, as well as other workers and educational speakers, chowing down on pizza/

Now, our new expanded Sharing Garden now has 62 Garden Plots and the Educational Soil Health Pit is ready for all to learn about Maryland soils.