Reflecting on 2024: A Remarkable Year at Goshen Farm
As we close the chapter on 2024, we’re excited to reflect on another incredible year of events, community engagement, and milestones at Goshen Farm. Here’s a look back at the highlights that defined this year:
A Busy Year of Events and Visitors
The Farm saw a flurry of activity with 29 requests for use, including nine Goshen Farm events, seven Summer Concerts, and even our first wedding ceremony!
Broadneck High School students participated in Environmental Literacy studies at the Farm, held their Family Day in May, and returned for a workday in November. We also hosted field trips for schools such as The Key School, Best Beginnings Preschool, Cape St. Claire Elementary, and Girl Scout ceremonies and activities.
Cape JOM Open Mic Nights debuted in 2024, showcasing local musical talent and raising funds through guitar raffles.
This year also marked a first for Goshen Farm: a wedding ceremony hosted in the summer heat with creative solutions like tents and fans to ensure the day went off without a hitch. GFPS hopes to provide a structure and refrigeration to host similar functions in the future.
Churches like Broadneck Baptist, Axis, and St. Andrews by the Bay embraced the Farm for worship, hikes, and parent ministry, further weaving Goshen Farm into the fabric of the community.
This October, Member Tracy Sands hosted Sunday afternoon Yoga at the Farm. Initial sessions were held in the field and later in the Memorial Grove. Plans are underway to resume classes in the spring—stay tuned for updates!
Goshen Farm Annual Events
Java & Jazz/Tea & Tunes in March featured live music from The Jazz Perpetrators, complimentary refreshments, and the kickoff of the annual Kayak Raffle. Congratulations to this year’s winner, Ginny Scout!
Our Annual Spring Open House welcomed 144 attendees despite strong winds that disrupted some activities. Visitors enjoyed giveaways from the Department of Public Works and the Broadneck Library, scavenger hunts hosted by Broadneck Baptist Church, and information from the Cape Conservation Corps. Highlights included live music from Cape Vibes, fabric-dyeing demonstrations using plants from the Colonial Kitchen Garden, and an art exhibit by AACC’s Landscape Painting class in the newly renovated Servant’s Quarters. Chef Tony delighted attendees with burgers, hot dogs, and take-home lasagna.
The 2024 Cape St. Claire Strawberry Festival was made sweeter by over 100 strawberry plants donated and transplanted by Member Billie Grant. At our booth, we gave away all strawberry plants grown in our greenhouse, the Hoop House, for free.
The Summer Concert Series, coordinated by History & Research Chair Scott Powers, was hugely successful. It featured talented performers and drew large crowds. The cashless platform Zeffy helped increase donations, and partnerships with local businesses, such as Wholesome Healing and Tasty Toucan, added to the fun.
The second annual Wine Down at the Farm featured delicious food from Chef Tony and his wife, Jen, who served as a sommelier. Entertainment by The Jazz Perpetrators and a silent auction, made possible by the efforts of Building & Maintenance Chair Lou Biondi and Secretary Smitty Biondi, added to the event’s success.
New Goshen Goodies Sales!
This year, we held two Goshen Goodies Sales instead of the 2024 Fall Open House, featuring various items made from products grown on the Farm. Garden Chair Bob Nestruck and Henson-Hall Slave Garden Manager Tracy Smith crafted hot pepper jellies, hot sauces, lip balms, board butters (wood conditioners), lavender sachets, and painted gourds. Beekeeper and President Erik Wallace, along with his volunteers, harvested honey from the Apiary to sell in jars. Member Fran Bents contributed tinctures made from plants in the Colonial Kitchen Garden, offering remedies for arthritis and toothaches.
Historical Preservation and Improvements
Grounds Chair Roy Benner led the renovation of the Servant’s Quarters, adding a new foundation, roof, floor, and furniture to replicate the structure’s appearance during the time of Dr. Morris Leon Radoff, the Farm’s last private owner.
The Tenant House remains a priority for future restoration. Plans include creating a Visitor Center, Gift Shop, office, kitchen, and restrooms for Goshen Farm events. We still need funding for this project and welcome ideas for grants or services to help make this vision a reality.
In 2024, we added several exciting features:
- Electric floodlights for the lower parking area, improving safety during evening events. Thank you to Richard’s Tree Care and Dave Sloskey from Connect Electric for your help with this effort!
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Security Chair Dirk Schwenk researched, purchased, installed, and updated GFPS’ security system and cameras to keep the Farm House and property secure.
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Through Linda Páez’s efforts, we have an AED device for the property to address any sudden cardiac arrest situations.
As many might know, the Cape St. Claire Fire Station plans to build a new facility. Due to its location in a Critical Area zone, the permitting process requires the Fire Station to plant 5.5 acres of trees to offset environmental impacts. Goshen Farm’s 23 acres were identified as a potential planting site. After extensive discussions with the County, Foresters, and the Department of Public Works, a mitigation plan was conditionally approved on November 6th, 2024.
The plan includes removing 2 acres of invasive trees and vines, planting 3.5 acres of native trees and shrubs, and seeding. Construction on the new Fire Station will begin in Spring 2025. The planting at Goshen Farm and the Fire Station site will be completed by fall 2026.
Celebrating Volunteerism and Scout Contributions
At Goshen Farm, we are incredibly grateful for our dedicated Member Volunteers who make everything we do possible. Their contributions are invaluable, from harvesting produce for local food banks and weeding and mulching across the property to cleaning the Farm House, painting garden fences, planting and maintaining gardens, assisting Grounds Chair Roy Benner with mowing, and helping Membership Chair Becky Benner with pruning. Volunteers also play a key role in setting up, breaking down, and working at our many events.
The Goshen Farm Preservation Society relies on this incredible support to continue our mission. We regularly request help with clean-ups, events, and other tasks.
We’ve also been fortunate to benefit from the efforts of 28 Eagle and Gold Star Scouts since 2011. This year alone, five Scout projects enhanced the Farm:
- Andrew Trehey added three musical instruments to the Nature Play Space.
- Austin Rios repaired four picnic tables.
- Nicholas Coles and Jacob Earp constructed six new picnic tables.
- Luke Hooper built a new well house over the original Goshen Farm well, complete with a unique dipping bucket to educate elementary school students about life in colonial times.
These contributions embody the spirit of community and volunteerism that keeps Goshen Farm thriving. Thank you to everyone who has lent their time and talent this year!
Honoring the Legacy of Joseph Lamp
While 2024 was a year of grand celebrations, Goshen Farm Preservation Society also mourned the loss of one of its most dedicated members, Joseph Lamp. A lifelong resident of Cape St. Claire, Joe worked closely with Dr. and Mrs. Radoff during their time on the Farm and played a pivotal role in the Radoffs receiving a Life Trust to remain on the property.
Joe joined GFPS 16 years ago and became an integral part of our community. He attended meetings, supported events, and shared his invaluable memories of the Farm’s history.
In October, GFPS hosted a heartfelt memorial celebration honoring Joe’s legacy. Family, friends, and members gathered to reflect on his contributions and dedication to preserving Goshen Farm. A plaque in his name now stands in the Memorial Grove, serving as a lasting tribute to his remarkable impact on the Farm and the community.
Joe will be deeply missed but forever remembered as a cornerstone of Goshen Farm’s story.
Advancing Our Historical Legacy
Goshen Farm continues to celebrate its rich history and strengthen community connections. This year, Member-At-Large Linda Páez was elected to represent Goshen Farm on the Coordinating Council of the Chesapeake Crossroads Heritage Area. Linda has also been working closely with the Asbury Broadneck AME Church and the Banneker-Douglass-Tubman Museum. Her efforts have advanced GFPS’s understanding of the formerly enslaved population in the area.
She also formed a committee to apply for Goshen Farm’s inclusion in the National Park Service’s “Network to Freedom” program. The Maryland Office of Tourism recognized Goshen Farm as a heritage site in its publications.
The Maryland Office of Tourism also recognized Goshen Farm’s historical significance, adding the Farm as a heritage site in its publication.
This year, Goshen Farm was featured on the CSC Podcast series, hosted by interviewer Kara McGuirk-Allison, who highlighted notable community members and organizations. Among them was GFPS Vice President Barbara Morgan, who shared Goshen Farm’s history and its impact on the community. If you’d like to listen, you can find the episode here.
A Visit from the Brice Family
In October, Goshen Farm welcomed Charles Carroll Brice IV, his brother David, and their wives Cecile and Flo. They are descendants of Charles Carroll Brice Sr. and Mary Tydings Brice, owners of the Farm from 1911 to 1933. During their visit, they explored the farm where their father, Charles Carroll Brice III, was born. Charles Carroll Brice III spent his early years in the Tenant House.
The family donated a treasured journal by Henry Tyings to GFPS. It was originally a wedding gift to Charles Carroll Brice Sr. and Mary Tydings. The journal catalogs the buying, raising, and selling of horses and donkeys on the property, called “Rosedale” at the time.
Goshen Farm continues to honor its historical significance through such efforts and connections. These actions foster a deeper understanding of the Farm’s local and national importance.
Community Partnerships and Sustainability
Goshen Farm is proud to partner with Neighborhood Sun (Solar) to support members in reducing residential electric costs. Members who have enrolled in this program report savings of 10% to 20% on their electricity bills.
To learn more, join a Zoom meeting with a Neighborhood Sun representative in February 2025. We will send an email invitation with details closer to the date. If you’re interested in this opportunity, please let us know!
Looking Ahead to 2025!
2024 was a year of growth, preservation, and community. We restored historic structures and hosted many successful events. Goshen Farm thrived thanks to the support of members, volunteers, and community partners.
We look forward to another year of stewardship, history, and connection in 2025.
Thank you for being part of the Goshen Farm story!
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Wonderful article. Well done!
What an informative report thank you whoever wrote this. I had no idea. We were so active in the community .