Community Based Food Innovative Demonstration Projects 5-8 UPDATE

Innovative Demonstration Projects - Community Based Food

Community Based Food Innovative Demonstration Project #5 New Deal Café Vermicomposting

5) In 2017, volunteers who carried New Deal Café’s kitchen scraps to EcoCity Farms for composting applied grant money toward the vermicomposting operation they had proposed. “The Wigglers” built three Worm Wigwams on the back deck of the Café and stocked them with red wiggler worms and bedding when, in late February, 2018, Public Works installed electrical outlets for winter heating.

In 2020, Wigglers and Café partners perform the following: 1. Kitchen staff place buckets of scraps near the Wigwams. 2. Wigglers, on a schedule, move food buckets to storage, check Wigwam temperatures and on hot days provide blue ice to cool the habitat. 3. Weekly, Wigglers bring pre-composted food scraps to feed the worms, aerate the bins, and apply moisture. 4. About monthly, Wigglers gather to compost stored scrap buckets, using hot-composting to create pre-composted vermi food. 5. About every two months, workers gather to harvest vermicompost through the door at the bottom of the Wigwams, storing vermicompost in cardboard boxes to dry. 6. About every six months, workers sift the vermicompost, weigh and bag it, reusing saved coffee bags. 7. A member of the Café’s Co-operative board designed a label for the bags of vermicompost. 8. Wigglers distribute vermicompost among themselves and community gardeners. 9. Remaining bags are labeled and given to Friends of the New Deal Café (FONDCA) members when they donate to that organization.

When the covid-19 shutdown commenced in March, 2020, Wigglers responded by working in two- person groups, keeping six feet apart, or worked alone. The Café itself is closed, so Wigglers are using the Springhill Lake community food scrap drop-off program’s pre-composted food to feed the red wigglers.

For the New Deal Café vermicomposting operation we received $3,880 in CIG funds. For matching in- kind contributions, the New Deal Café provided free use of their deck for worm bins; Public Works provided and installed weatherproof outdoor electrical outlets for wintertime heating; and Zero Waste volunteers who became known as The Wigglers provided all the volunteer labor to feed and take care of the worms, harvest the vermicompost, and package and distribute the vermicompost.

Innovative Demonstration Projects - Community Based Food

5) New Deal Café Vermicomposting Proofs 5.1 to 5.4 Log for Wigglers Vermicomposting in Wigwams at New Deal Cafe

Date Activity Notes

07/03/2017 Notice of Eva Fallon notified Zero Waste Circle (ZWC) members by pending grant email. award

08/06/2017 Held getting- ZWC members met to lay organisational groundwork for organized implementing the scope of work: consultants; kickoff; Public meeting Works contacts: Luisa Robles for in-home vermi, Brian Kim for 3-bin; created teams, administrators, roles. Minutes: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1r4VHpX1s90ebfM3wr 1S7JFBQ_QzTZGqHCJ66vVpVWc0/edit?usp=sharing

09/01/2017 3 Wigwams Charged to Beth LeaMond: $2,165.00 ordered Budget Tracking: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1BFygNt93meJAXNRZX3t 9GhabErSsZoxj2-nTnrEMdqY

09/07/2017 Worms: Team The Commercial Vermicomposter Team (shortened to the Meeting “Worms Team”) met at the New Deal Cafe: placement of Wigwams on deck; worm diet; food scrap overages to hot-compost operation; weighing and logging input and output. Minutes: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1A4VmN4mK-GSy7FdRzh 0kvzxXNklD2JLi5rOJXDqYFR4

09/11/2017 Worms: Michael Hartman went into New Deal on Monday when Cafe Wigwams was closed to accept delivery. delivered

09/16/2017 Worms: Two of John Lippert and family volunteer built two of the three three Wigwam stations. vermicomposte Photos: Joe Robbins stands with two Wigwams; full food rs built scrap buckets from New Deal Cafe. https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B__4HCKkpH9XQm93ci 1ESVkzMXE2Sld6WnNTZGREWHlmSGQ4 https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B__4HCKkpH9XQnh3VE 00ckRfWWhqOWhVZnhsNjlTdzVueTdz

09/28/2017 Worms: Team Third bin placement depends on split electrical outlets; Meeting landlord agreement on electrical changes procured; Public Works to do outlet work; discussed worm bedding, how much and what worms can consume; supplies and ordering; tasks and roles; grant reporting requirements. Minutes: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1EYeJ9hnteekul_ltwL0Dw eR-5pMKeC3EMWDQOPp7AOo

10/14/2017 Worms: Site Team members visited EcoCity Farms in Bladensburg where visit to EcoCity Benny Erez schooled them on his large-scale vermicomposting operation.

10/30/2017 Worms: Team Meeting includes Benny Erez from EcoCity Farms, a meets vermicomposting expert. Team gets questions answered, plans site visit to EcoCity. 20171030Worms Meeting Notes

10/31/2017 Worms: John Lippert purchases compost thermometer, pH meter, Vermicomposti and moisture meter: $46.82 ng tools 20171031Worms Squirm Firm Materials receipt purchase

11/02/2017 Worms: Final Beth LeaMond and John Lippert build the third Wigwam Wigwam built behind New Deal Cafe. 20171102Worms 3rd Wigwam build

12/05/2017 Worms: Team New member John Campanile attends. John Lippert, Jane meets Young, and Michael Travis have prepped one Wigwam, lining floor and sides with many layers of newspaper and adding 8-inches leaf mold bedding. Second Wigwam set up in progress. Electrical lead outdoors for winter heat still not resolved. Methods and tools for chopping food to worm-friendly consistency discussed: edging tool wins. (Later heard Jeffrey Neal of Howard U. uses ice scraper.) 20171205Worms Meeting Notes

12/05/2017 Worms: John Lippert purchased two tarps, hand tools, thick and lined Supplies plastic gloves at Harbor Freight. purchase 20170205Worms Harbor Freight Materials Receipt

12/21/2017 Worms: Volunteers continue to pick up buckets of food scraps from Volunteers the New Deal Cafe, store them temporarily in Lore step up due to Rosenthal’s garage, then cart them off to compost in delays backyards or ferry them to EcoCity or Western Branch as Joe Robbins and now John Campanile have been doing. Other members are helping over the holidays. Electrical requirement is still not resolved. Worms can’t be ordered until we have heaters.

12/22/2017 Worms: All Beth LeaMond supplied the last layer of leaf mold to Wigwams are complete the set up of all three Wigwams. set up Vermicomposting at the New Deal Cafe: Photos

A Wiggler and two Wigwams he just helped to build. A Wigwam heater requires electricity, which delayed the project while permissions were obtained. Heaters keep the red wigglers warm and active in winter. Red wiggler worms feeding on brown bedding and food scraps. Wiggler women work a worm bin. A diorama for New Deal Cafe denizens: Drum circle inside, worm Wigwams outside the window.

Vermicompost is made How to use your vermicompost at the New Deal Café This excerpt is taken from the website of Rhonda Sherman, Department of Horticultural Science, NC State University (composting.ces.ncsu.edu and At the New Deal Café, a dedicated group of worms.ncsu.edu). She is the author of The Worm Farmer’s Handbook . volunteers, known as the “Wigglers,” haul the Café’s food scraps to a pre-composting Vermicompost can be used immediately or stored site where the decomposing food and brown for later use. It can be added to indoor or outdoor matter are mixed and then given some time plants by placing 2 tablespoons of vermicompost for a hearty population of microorganisms per quart of potting mix around the base of a plant to develop. The pre-composted mixture is every two to four weeks. When starting seedlings, brought back to the Café’s back deck where add one part vermicompost to four parts potting three Worm Wigwams host a community of media. Before transplanting plants from small containers or flats to garden beds or larger pots, hungry red wigglers. The group then add ½ cup vermicompost to the hole for planting. harvests the vermicompost as it falls For transplanting larger plants, shrubs and trees, through a grate at the bottom of the add 1 to 2 cups of vermicompost to the hole. Wigwam “processing plant.” After curing, Vermicompost can be applied to new lawns and turf the volunteers sift and bag the compost for at a rate of 8 quarts (10 pounds) per 100 square feet and worked into 1 to 2 inches of topsoil. Top distribution.. dress 6 quarts (7 pounds) of vermicompost per 100 square feet of established lawns. Vermicomposting for Business, Farms, Institutions & Municipalities What is vermicompost? Vermicomposting is being adopted by businesses, institutions, farms, and municipalities—on-site or at a centralized facility. Vermicompost is the beneficial soil amendment created by Businesses include restaurants, groceries, hotels, food processors, nursing homes, wholesale outlets, farmers red wiggler earthworms markets, malls, resorts, and dining facilities. U.S. businesses generate 25 million tons of food scraps, unrecyclable paper, and cardboard annually (EPA 1999). At least 74% of restaurant waste is food and paper (EPA 1999). Institutions generating food waste include hospitals, schools, universities, prisons, military bases, and government centers. U.S. EPA estimated in 2006 that 35-45% of the waste generated in the United States was by schools, businesses and institutions. Farms are vermicomposting manure and crop residuals, and choosing to vermicompost for several reasons: For an as they consume and then cast (poop out) environmentally beneficial alternative for manure management; to produce vermicompost to increase crop decomposing organic material and its yields and reduce use of fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides; microorganisms to create a mixture of bedding and, some farmers choose vermicomposting to increase their materials and vermicast. The castings contain income from sales of earthworms and/or vermicompost. reduced levels of contaminants and a higher Municipalities can vermicompost food residuals, yard debris, saturation of nutrients, including minerals, than the or sewage sludge by operating facilities on their own or organic material before the vermicomposting contracting for the service. Two municipalities in Pennsylvania use private contractors to vermicompost their process occurred. sewage sludge, for example. Adapted from: composting.ces.ncsu.edu/vermicomposting-2/vermicomposti ng-for-business-farms-institutions-municipalities Community Based Food Innovative Demonstration Projects

Community Based Food Innovative Demonstration Projects #6 Individual vermicomposting initiative

6) In 2017, the Green Team’s Zero Waste Circle approached Public Works to partner on two composting projects: hot composting for family drop-off and commercial vermicomposting of the New Deal Café’s food scraps. Public Works recommended a third project be included: individual worm composting for apartment dwellers unable to set up compost bins in their yards. This project initially targeted 100 apartment dwellers, but after repeated attempts with little success to find apartment dwellers willing to do worm composting in their apartments, it was later opened up to Greenbelt homeowners, including GHI townhouse members, and later still to all county residents (since the grant was a Prince George’s County grant).

Public Works held free workshops to offer citizens in-home kits from small plastic bins, to use for composting their kitchen scraps using red wiggler worms. Public Works also gave the homemade worm bins away at the Green Man Festival, and had people come to Public Works to pick up a kit. Public Works supplied the bins with predrilled holes, the wood blocks, lids, shredded newspaper for bedding, and multiple pieces of literature on how to get the kit started and maintain it. Public Works also gave the recipients information on how to order worms and a link to an instructional video Public Works did on how to start the vermicomposting kit and remove the food was composted. The vermicomposting informational materials in the proofs were the ones Public Works provided to the worm bin recipients. To date, Public Works has distributed 75 free worm bins and has enough materials to make an additional 25 to give away.

In August 2017, the Green Team’s Zero Waste Circle was awarded a Prince George’s County Community Impact Grant of $11,150, plus $500 of matching funds from Doug Alexander of the Newspaper in Education Institute, and $10,710 of in-kind donations from Greenbelt Public Works Department to undertake a one-year project entitled Composting Food Scraps to Enrich Soils in Greenbelt’s Gardens. Greenbelt MakerSpace Cooperative Inc. acted as the grant recipient. The county grant required an equal contribution on our part of cash and in-kind contributions. Public Works was a major partner. The project is really three projects: hot composting via a 3-bin system; vermicomposting of the New Deal Café food scraps via three commercial Wigwam vermicomposting worm bins; and individual vermicomposting at home. For the individual vermicomposting project we received $4,483 in CIG funds. Public Works used the money to buy components to build 100 home vermicomposting bins. Public Works conducted workshops on how to build the bins and successfully compost home food scraps using red wiggler worms, and provided free worm bins to homeowners and renters at various city events and through social media.

Innovative Demonstration Projects - Community Based Food

6) Individual vermicomposting initiative Proofs 6.1 to 6.6 Thursday, May 10, 2018 GREENBELT NEWS REVIEW Page 5

VACANCIES ON BOARDS & City Information COMMITTEES Volunteer to serve on City GREENBELT CITY COUNCIL- REGULAR MEETING MEETINGS FOR MAY 10-MAY 18 Council Advisory Groups. Municipal Building, May 14, 2018 – 8:00 p.m. Thursday, May 10 at 7:30pm, COMMUNITY RELATIONS There are currently vacan- ORGANIZATION ADVISORY BOARD at Springhill Lake Recreation Center Club cies on: Call to Order House, 6101 Cherrywood Lane. On the Agenda: Report on police- • Advisory Committee of Roll Call community forums, Community Pledge and other pending referrals as Education Meditation and Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag time permits. • Advisory Planning Board Consent Agenda – Approval of Staff Recommendations Monday, May 14 at 5:30pm, YOUTH ADVISORY COMMITTEE • Arts Advisory Board (Items on the Consent Agenda [marked by *] will be approved at Youth Center, 99 Centerway. On the Agenda: Youth Economic as recommended by staff, subject to removal from the Consent Accountability, Youth Higher Learning Prep and Summer adjournment • Employee Relations Agenda by Council.) Board Approval of Agenda and Additions Monday, May 14 at 8:00pm, REGULAR CITY COUNCIL • Ethics Commission MEETING at Municipal Building, 25 Crescent Rd. Live on • Forest Preserve Advi- COMMUNICATIONS Verizon 21, Comcast 71 and Streaming live at www.greenbeltmd.gov sory Board Presentations Tuesday, May 15 at 7:30pm, BUDGET WORK SESSION re: • Greenbelt Advisory - Oath of Of ce – New Greenbelt Police Of cers Committee on Envi- - Legislative Wrap-Up Community Services/Economic Development at Municipal Building, 25 Crescent Road. Live on Verizon 21, Comcast 71 ronmental Petitions and Requests and Streaming live at www.greenbeltmd.gov Sustainability (Petitions received at the meeting will not be acted upon by the City • Park and Recreation Wednesday, May 16 at 7:30pm, Council at this meeting unless Council waives its Standing Rules.) BUDGET WORK SESSION Advisory Board Minutes of Council Meeting re: Green Ridge House at Green Ridge House, 22 Ridge • Senior Citizens Advi- Administrative Reports Road. CLOSED SESSION following Budget Work Session at sory Committee Committee Reports the Municipal Building Library. (See Of cial Notice) • Youth Advisory Com- LEGISLATION Wednesday, May 16 at 7:30pm, PARK AND RECREATION mittee OTHER BUSINESS ADVISORY BOARD at Community Center, 15 Crescent Road. For information on how to - Letter Supporting a County Center for Independent Living On the Agenda: Recreation Director Report, Second Dog Park sites apply: 301-474-8000 - Letter Opposing HUD’s Rent-Tripling Proposal and recommendations. *- Reappointment to Advisory Groups *- Resignation from Advisory Groups The schedule is subject to change. For con rmation that a Bike to Work - Council Activities meeting is being held call 301-474-8000. - Council Reports Day Pit Stop NOTE: This is a preliminary agenda, subject to change. Regular Coun- Women’s cil meetings are open to the public, and all interested citizens are invited to attend. If special accommodations are required for any dis- Social Ride abled person, please call 301-474-8000 no later than 10am on the Saturday, May 12 meeting day. Deaf individuals are advised to use MD RELAY at 711 or e-mail [email protected] to reach the City Clerk. 11am-1pm Begins at OFFICIAL NOTICE Roosevelt Center In accordance with Section 3-305(b)(1) of the General Pro- Join us for a casual ride! visions Article of the Annotated Code of the Public General The social ride focuses Friday, May 18 from Laws of Maryland, a Closed Session of the Greenbelt City on building a community 6:30-8:30am Council will be held on Wednesday, May 16th, 2018, in the for women who ride bikes. Come with questions, bike, water, Greenbelt Aquatic & Library of the Municipal Building, immediately following the helmet, and a lock. The ride will start and end at Roosevelt Fitness Center parking lot conclusion of the 7:30 pm Green Ridge House Budget Work Center. We’ll ride to the Board and Brew in College Park for 101 Centerway Session to: 1) discuss the appointment, employment, as- lunch then back to Greenbelt. We will meet at 11:00am. The Commuter Connections signment, promotion, discipline, demotion, compensation, ride will be about 11 miles, round trip. Friendly pace, social and the Washington Area removal, resignation, or performance evaluation of appoin- ride around town. Riders of all levels welcome! Bicyclist Association invites tees, employees, or of cials over whom this public body has you to join over 17,000 area jurisdiction; any other personnel matter that affects one or Greenbelt Recreation commuters for a celebration more speci c individuals. www.greenbeltmd.gov/recreationgg 301-397-2200 of bicycling as a clean, fun and *The public may attend the Work Session of the City Coun- healthy way to get to work. cil immediately prior to the closed session and observe the The Greenbelt Pit Stop will vote of Council to move into closed session. be one of 85+ Pit Stops in Bonita Anderson, City Clerk the regional area. Summer Recreation Guide Available! Registration begins on Monday, May 14 for Refreshments will be provided FREE VERMICOMPOSTING KITS! to registered participants Green Man Festival May 12 & 13 in Greenbelt Residents. Check it out for more details! Explore our Activity Guide for lots of options for all ages and in- arriving by bike. Register at front of MakerSpace from 11am-5pm terests. We offer seasonal special events and varied recreation biketoworkmetrodc.org. Stop by and build your own in home vermi- facilities and classes to provide opportunities for community Pit Stop Manager: composting kit! Totally free, just build it and take it home celebrations, a chance to learn something new or improve your Di Quynn-Reno to start composting indoors! skills in an activity you enjoy, all while socializing and staying Questions? Contact Public Works Environmental active! Please visit our website, stop by a recreation center, or 240-542-2053. Coordinator Jason Martin, [email protected] give us a call for more information. Join us for this very cool workshop on Greenbelt Day Weekend! VERSO SPRAY PAINTING WORKSHOP FAMILY FUN ON SATURDAY, MAY 19! Saturday, June 2, 1-3pm PUBLIC WORKS OPEN HOUSE Springhill Lake 555 Crescent Road RecreaƟ on Center Saturday, May 19; 10:30am-1:30pm, FREE 6101 Cherrywood Lane Enjoy demonstrations, tours and refreshments. Create your own 12” square See all we do for you at Public Works! This event is a family favorite. Ride art panel using spray paint the bucket truck, climb on the work trucks, see the beautiful plants in the and an acrylic sheet. Learn greenhouse, squirt the big water sprayer and more! There will be a guided tree about color, masking, paint- tour of Greenbelt’s Signi cant Trees led by the Advisory Committee on Trees handling, and how to extend (ACT) starting at 1:00pm. For more information contact Luisa Robles, your ideas into an edge- 240-542-2153, to-edge composi� on. All [email protected]. styles welcome. All materials provided. NEW INSTRUCTOR Shaymar Higgs is a mul� -media Greenbelt ar� st who draws CELEBRATION OF SPRING inspira� on from graﬃ � art, Springhill Lake Recreation Center, 6101 Cherrywood Lane skateboard culture and the Saturday, May 19; 2:00pm-6:00pm, FREE long history of American quilt- Come enjoy FREE Food • Live Music • Moon Bounce • Community Information making. Please register early at Tables •Arts and Crafts Projects • Magician and more with Greenbelt Recreation h� ps://recrea� on. and your neighbors and friends. Children and parents alike will be delighted on greenbeltmd.gov/wbwsc/ this fun- lled day. This will be the perfect family event to help shake off the cold webtrac.wsc/splash.html days of winter as we spring into action during our Celebration of Spring. Minimum enrollment must be RAIN or SHINE! Call 301-397-2200 for more information! reached by May 25 Info: 301-397-2208 Inside Stories GREENBELT

Breaking Rama- John Henry News ReviewAn Independent Newspaper dan Fast, p.7 Jones is 90, p.12 VOL. 81, No. 25 15 Crescent Rd., Suite 100, Greenbelt, MD 20770-1887 MAY 17, 2018

Green Man Festival Features Primary Election is June 26 Deadline to Register, June 5 Music, Art and Composting by Kathleen Gallagher by Melissa Sites Mid-term elections always and the deadline to request an Dozens of vendors turned out to share loom large as a bellwether for absentee ballot one can download their wares alongside many cooperating what will follow at the end of from the State Board of Elec- and collocated environmental groups fo- the term, and this year talk of the tions website. cused on protecting the environment and mid-terms can scarcely be avoid- Turnout at primary elections improving understanding of Greenbelters’ ed. In Maryland, the first steps is notoriously poor, but voters place within the local ecology, as part of toward the November 6 mid-term bypass primary elections at their the 14th Annual Green Man Festival held elections are the Democratic and own risk, since in Maryland at Roosevelt Center on Saturday and Sun- Republican primary elections, most races are effectively de- day, May 12 and 13. A community drum to be held on Tuesday, June 26. cided at the primary level. circle and opening ceremony kicked off For those not already registered, There will be no shortage of the festival, with a parade led by the vine- the deadline to register to vote races on the Greenbelt ballot this bedecked men of the Beloved Order of the in the primary or to change party year, though not all are competi- Green Man. affiliation or other information is tive. Offices include: governor Several musical groups performed on Tuesday, June 5. and lieutenant governor, U.S. Saturday, including Kiva, Susan Jones and Other dates to keep in mind senator, congressional representa- the Circadian Rhythm Section and Ayre- include Thursday, June 14 tive, attorney general, comptrol- heart. On Sunday, a light mist encouraged through Thursday, June 21, which ler, state senator, state delegates, the musicians to move inside the New Deal are the first and last days of county executive, state’s attorney, Café in the afternoon, with acts including early voting. June 19 and June sheriff, county councilmembers Katy Gaughan World Drums, the Homespun 22 are, respectively, the deadline at large, county councilmember, Ceilidh Band, Lea, the Bachelor and the for requesting an absentee ballot board of education representative, Bad Actress, and Global Warming. to be sent to the voter by mail The many vendors included artisans See PRIMARY, page 11 working with glass, leather, cloth, pottery, food, wood, metal, beads and even a tatter In Memoriam who demonstrated the fine art of knotting The Green Man entertains children from the Earth PRAGER KATE BY PHOTO string into intricate patterns. Squad, a CHEARS tutoring and mentoring program. Volunteers with several Greenbelt envi- Kelly Ivy: Extraordinary Man ronmental groups worked hard both days presented information about the maglev train, includ- to share information with festival goers. ing a map of the proposed route that would threaten Who Put Family, Kids First The Greenbelt Forest Stewardship Project See GREEN MAN, page 12 by Rick Ransom

Kelly Ivy, Sr. died in his sleep in the early hours of Wednes- Data Gathering Delays Rec day, May 9. He was 63 and spent 45 of his Department Plan Rollout too-short years mar- ried to his wife Linda. by Diane Oberg He leaves Linda and their children, Kelly P. By now, the Greenbelt Rec- The department now expects to The master plan will serve Ivy Jr. (Megan), Jamie reation Department had planned present the draft to the city coun- as a road map for improving Apgar Howarth (Rob- to have presented council with a cil and the Parks and Recreation the city’s provision of parks and ert), Amanda Williams draft Recreation and Parks Master Advisory Board (PRAB) within recreation facilities and services. (Daniel) and Emily Plan for their review. However, the next few months. Council met In order to develop this plan, Cole (Christopher), the data gathering portion of the with the contractor on May 2 to the city’s contractor GreenPlay, and a niece Jennifer work took longer than expected. review the status of the work. LLC undertook a study to iden- who lost her father tify residents’ wants, needs and when she was a teen- levels of satisfaction with cur- ager. The father was rent recreational opportunities Kelly’s brother, and as well as ideas for improve- Kelly and Linda took ment. To date, they have mostly Jennifer in and treated worked on information gather- OF THE IVY FAMILY COURTESY PHOTO her as the fifth child. ing and analysis. They met with Kelly also leaves be- Kelly Ivy stakeholder focus groups and hind his sisters Mary See MASTER PLAN, page 8 Caserta and Sue Kinion-Ivy, his cause he felt he wasn’t worthy brother Danny Ivy and many to sit closer to the altar.” Kelly grandchildren, nieces, nephews kept crucifixes in his pocket and and extended family. would give them to any who What Goes On Kelly was born in San An- wanted one. Father Tappe noted gelo, Texas. His father died when he knew Kelly for more than 25 Saturday, May 19 Kelly was only 6. His mother years and that “if you met him 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., later remarried a military man once, you knew him,” because Public Works Open House and his stepfather moved the he was so open and unchanging. 2 to 6 p.m., Celebration of family first to Greece and subse- He had the same presence and Spring, Springhill Lake Recre- quently to Greenbelt when Kelly manner to each one he met with ation Center was a teenager. He met Linda at that constant smile he wore and Monday, May 21 Greenbelt Junior High School and gave to all. 7:30 p.m., Budget Workses- they were wed when they turned Kelly was a pillar of vol- sion: Final Budget Review, 18 in 1973. Kelly worked for unteer activities in Greenbelt, Municipal Building Amtrak as an electrician for over focusing mostly on events and Wednesday, May 23 40 years before retiring in 2015. facilities for kids. He coached 7 p.m., ACE Student Awards, At Kelly’s funeral at St. many softball and baseball teams, Municipal Building Hugh’s on Monday, May 14, and as Kelly, Jr. noted taught

PHOTO BY AMY HANSEN BY PHOTO 8 p.m., Council Worksession Father Tappe noted that Kelly him and his siblings how to hit, with Advisory Group Chairs, Pat Schreiber and her granddaughter Najia was a deeply religious man who even though “Dad couldn’t hit a Oda take in the sights at the first Farmers Community Center was so humble he stood in the Market of the season. back of the church “perhaps be- See IVY, page 8 Page 12 GREENBELT NEWS REVIEW Thursday, May 17, 2018

John Henry and Friends GREEN MAN continued from page 1

Celebrate His 90th Birthday Greenbelt’s protected forest. The Zero by Corita Waters Waste Initiative dis- played different types of composting, including vermi- and hot- composting. A beekeeper with live bees imparted knowledge to curious and cau- tious passersby. Chil- dren made fairy gardens, a fun craft that involves kids in getting their hands dirty with plants and soil. Inside the New Deal BENJAMIN RON BY PHOTO Café, the Green Man Susan Jones and the Circadian Rhythm Section entertain at the Festival. art show demonstrated the wealth of Greenbelt artists form of wood chips, which are Greenbelt’s Green Man Fes- who were moved to create work then sifted out using chicken tival has been held every year inspired by this year’s Green wire baskets. The New Deal on Mothers Day weekend since Man theme: soil. Mike McMullin Café is also participating in ver- 2005. Since 2008, the festival has helped folks on Saturday work mi-composting. “We are very been a project of the Chesapeake PHOTO BY TAYLOR KOEBLER TAYLOR BY PHOTO together to paint a large wooden grateful to the New Deal for Education, Arts and Research So- John Henry with his 3 children, Corita, Nathan, and Nicholas peace symbol as a community letting us be there and for giving ciety (CHEARS). CHEARS board site painting, which was hanging us their scraps,” Young stated. member Maggie Cahalan notes on the wall inside the Café by “We have to make sure that that the festival “has grown and Sunday. the worms stay at their optimal the last couple of years it’s been Jane Young and Jen Patterson temperature.” Worms at Work self-sustaining.” represented the Zero Waste Initia- may be seen on the loading dock tive, demonstrating different types behind the New Deal, within the of composting. According to Pat- Worm Composting Pilot Project. terson, who is part of a group of Beekeeper Frank Fennell is visit 25 households participating in the outreach coordinator for hot composting at Franklin Park, Bowie-Upper Marlboro Beekeep- www.greenbelt she was told, “Show up with ers Association (bumbabees.com). your waste and we’ll show you Fennell brought a demonstration what to do.” According to the hive so that children and adults newsreview. Environmental Protection Agency could watch honeybees, including (epa.gov), “EPA estimates that two queen cells on one of the more food reaches landfills and wax combs. com incinerators than any other single material in our everyday trash, constituting 21.6 percent of discarded municipal solid waste.” In Greenbelt, the Zero Waste Initia- tive is working to change that. Patterson, even as a vegetarian, generates food waste and says, “When I make stock I get a huge

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE FAMILY OF THE FAMILY COURTESY PHOTO wad of vegetable matter that I can’t just throw in the trash.” John Henry on a garden club trip A new type of vermicomposting employs earthworms to Joined by friends and neigh- gardens planted and harvested, digest compostable food waste bors young and old, John Henry children raised and coached and and is suitable for use inside an Jones celebrated his 90th birthday Christmas pageants acted in. apartment. The three-bin system on Sunday, May 6 at the Com- A longtime member of the for hot composting, located at munity Center – and he was so ERHS PTA, Jones especially Springhill Lake Recreation Cen- glad to see everyone. All of the enjoyed the music played by ter, includes brown matter in the homemade cards and visitors the ERHS Jazz Quintet. Fam- brought him joy, but it was re- ily and partygoers showed their ally the time spent together that appreciation by contributing to Beware the brought him the most pleasure. support the Sally Wagner Foun- Ticks of May RUSH HOUR SPECIALS! He said, “See all the people here, dation which funds scholar- by Deanna Dawson Monday through Friday between 4pm. & 7pm. sharing with one another. I really ships for ERHS band students Greenbelters who stray off — feel that’s what makes a strong (sallywagnerfoundation.org). sidewalks and paved trails – Gather with friends or co-workers to decompress after a long community. If you say hello, you Jones is still celebrating by even in their yards or garden – know who is in your community. opening his cards slowly to ap- day, all while enjoying cocktails and beer specials that won’t should be alert for ticks at this break the bank. If you take a moment to do that . preciate each message and art- time of year. Adult and nymph . . that’s what matters.” work, viewing the photo booth ticks are active now, and both Take advantage of our ½ priced Appetizers, $4 Margaritas Jones was presented a plaque snapshots, enjoying the fragrant life stages can carry Lyme and $3 Domestic draft beers. from the Greenbelt Gardeners flowers and savoring the many disease and other diseases. and a hat with raffle slips, all of chocolates and treats. His years For information on the tick Explore our menu at MARRIOTTGREENBELT.COM/DINING which had “John Henry” written as a nonagenarian are off to a species that occur in Mary- on them (so he’d be guaranteed great start. land, and tick prevention and at GREENBELT MARRIOTT │ 6400 Ivy Lane │ Greenbelt, MD 20770 a prize). Sixty-plus-year friends, Corita Waters is the cele- personal protection tips, see 301.441.3700 │ MARRIOTTGREENBELT.COM neighbors and coworkers shared brant’s daughter. extension.umd.edu/hgic/deer- stories of escapades with Jones, black-legged-and-wood-ticks. Vermicomposting

Jason Martin What is vermicomposting?

• Using worms to covert organic waste into usable fertilizer (worm castings) • Can be done on a small in home scale or a large industrial scale Industrial scale In home scale Earthworms

• Live in soil and leaf litter • Found all over the world, except in extreme environments • Don’t like it too wet, too dry, too hot, or too cold • Arguably the most important soil organism What do worms do?

• Eat organic material (dead stuff) • Move nutrients between soil levels • Tunnels aerate and provide drainage for soils • Act like mini composters • Prey

How to in-home vermicompost

• Use red wiggler worms (Eisenia foetida) • Keep between 55-80 degrees, optimal 65-70 • Keep bedding moist but not wet, should feel like a well rung sponge • Don’t over feed Eisenia foetida

• Epigeic • Do well in large groups • Native to Europe but have been introduced globally • Life span about 1-2 years Eisenia foetida

• Hermaphroditic, like other earthworms, still need two worms to mate • 1 worm can produce 5 eggs a week • Eggs take up to 45 days to mature • New born worms take up to 10 weeks to mature • 1 pound of worms can produce 10 pounds of worms in 5 months (optimal conditions) Feeding

• Don’t feed meat, dairy, fat/oil, hot peppers, salty foods, garlic, onion, citrus • Do feed leafy greens, potatoes, carrots, apple cores, banana peels • Break food into small bits • Don’t feed if food is still visible • Worms can eat up to ½ body weight in food a day (optimal conditions) Tips

• Keep a light on the kit for the first few days • Place a sheet of newspaper over bedding • Place food under sheet of newspaper • Keep moist with spray bottle • Start with a small amount of food • Try and save eggs

Separating worms and castings Separating worms from castings Separating worms from castings Separating worms from castings Separating worms from castings How to use the castings

• Castings can be used as a soil amendment • Castings are full of nutrients and bacteria that are good for plants • The nutrients are slow release, so no fear of burning plants • Castings help to absorb water and keep the soil from drying out How to use the castings

• Just sprinkle around the base of your plants and lightly mix with the top layer of soil THANK YOU Vermi-Composting: Two Bin Method A space-saving way to compost indoors using worms

What You Need

• two 8-10 gallon, dark-colored plastic storage bins with lids • a drill or tool to punch quarter-inch and sixteenth-inch holes in the bins • bedding material (shredded newsprint, brown leaves, straw, sawdust) • cardboard • blocks or bricks • one pound of red worms (for a list of suppliers, visit http://www.cityfarmer.org/wormsupl79.html) • food scraps excluding meat, dairy, fats, and oils

Part One: Assembly of Your Vermi-Composting Bin 1. Drill 20 evenly spaced, quarter-inch holes in the bottom of each bin. Near the top edge of the side of each bin, drill sixteenth-inch holes about one inch apart 2. Moisten bedding until it is as wet and fluffy as a damp sponge, but not soggy. Evenly layer the bedding six inches deep in one of the bins. 3. Distribute worms in clumps across the top of the bedding. Wait one hour. If any worms remain on top of the bedding, remove them. 4. In one corner of the bin, lift up the bedding, place food scraps, and generously cover them with bedding. 5. Cover the bedding with a moistened piece of cardboard. Drill about 30 evenly spaced quarter-inch holes in one of the lids and place it on the bin. 6. Place the blocks on the remaining lid, then place the bin on the blocks. The lid will act as a tray and catch any excess moisture. The blocks will provide ventilation. 7. Locate the bin in a dark place where the contents can be kept moist and at a temperature of 55º-75º. Ideal locations include basements, garages, balconies, and under kitchen counters. If you keep the bin outdoors, protect it from the sun and rain; move the bin indoors before winter. 8. Each time you bury new food scraps, create a new pile close to the last one. The worms will migrate to the new pile. The worms will also eat the bedding so you will have to add additional bedding as needed. Part Two: Harvest and Continued Use of Your Vermi-Composter

1. Wait until the bin is full and there are no recognizable food scraps. At this time, place new bedding material and buried food scraps in the second bin. Cover with a moistened piece of cardboard. Remove the lid from the first bin and place it on the second bin. Place the second bin directly on the compost surface of the first bin. You now have a bottom bin and a top bin. 2. In one to two months, the worms will migrate from the bottom bin to the top bin. The bottom bin will now contain compost that is almost worm-free. Gently remove any remaining worms and place them in the top bin. Set the top bin on the blocks. The top bin is now the new bottom bin. You can now repeat from Part One, step 8. 3. The compost in the original bottom bin is now ready for use as a fertilizer. Remove the compost from the bin and use the bin as the future top bin.

Troubleshooting

Problem Probable Cause Solutions

too wet add more bedding worms are dying or trying too dry moisten bedding to escape not enough bedding harvest bin not enough air drill more ventilation holes unpleasant odor too many food scraps do not add scraps for 1-2 weeks too wet add more bedding fruit flies exposed food bury food in bedding INDOOR COMPOSTING with a worm bin

Don’t have access to outdoor space? You can compost food scraps indoors using a worm bin!

nyc.gov/compostproject Follow @NYCzerowaste on social media 1 Make or buy a worm bin. 2 Get worms.

You can buy a ready-made worm bin (visit nyc.gov/compostproject for You will need a specific worm species called options) or you can make your own by following these instructions. “red wiggler” or Eisenia fetida. Night crawlers and other common garden worms, Materials: which are usually brown or gray in color, will • Plastic container with a lid not survive in a worm bin. Dimensions should be You can purchase red wigglers from a local approximately 12 x 12 x 12 retailer or order them online and have them shipped to you. inches (one cubic foot) but do To find out where to buy worms, visitnyc.gov/compostproject . not have to be precise. A standard plastic storage tub We recommend most households start by purchasing one pound of from a household goods store worms. One pound of worms can process about three and a half pounds of is a great option. food scraps a week. If you want to process more than that, you can start a • Drill, 1/4” bit second worm bin or, if your bin is big enough, add more worms to your bin. • Fine screen to keep out pests (optional) Purchase at a hardware store. About Red Wiggler Worms • Tray (optional) Did you know there are over seven thousand species of earthworms? One species in particular is well suited for indoor composting: red wigglers (or Directions: Eisenia fetida). • Drill at least 10 quarter-inch holes in the lid. These holes will provide Red wigglers live in the upper layer of soil where they feed on small oxygen to the worms and other decomposer organisms in the bin. organisms and decaying organic matter. Unlike other species of earthworms, red wigglers don’t tunnel deeply or make permanent burrows. • Drill at least 10 quarter-inch holes in the sides of the bin. These holes They reproduce quickly, thrive in habitats with high organic matter, can will also provide oxygen in your bin. tolerate a wide range of temperatures and moisture conditions, and can • Drill at least 10 quarter-inch holes in the bottom of the bin. These holes live close to one another. An indoor worm bin mimics all of these natural are for drainage (optional). conditions, which makes red wigglers ideal for indoor composting. • Use non-toxic glue to attach fine screen over holes (optional). Fun Facts This will help prevent pests like fruit flies from entering your bin. • Red wigglers can eat half their body weight in food scraps a day. • If you drilled holes in the bottom on the bin, place a tray under the bin • Worms have five hearts. to catch any “leachate”—this is a waste product of the composting process made of excess moisture. • Worms have both male and female reproductive organs, but still need another worm to reproduce. After you make or buy a bin, store it in a good location for both you and • One mature worm can give birth to about 100 worms a year. The the worms. Worms prefer temperatures between 55°F and 80°F (13°C space and amount of food in a worm bin will keep their population and 27°C). Most indoor locations will meet these temperature needs. size in check. Worms can tolerate temperatures a bit beyond this range, but they will • A worm’s life span is approximately one year. be less active.

2 3 3 Make bedding and add worms to 4 Feed your worms. your bin. What to feed: Feed worms fruit and vegetable scraps. You can also feed Bedding provides a place for the worms to live, absorbs moisture, and them coffee grounds and paper tea bags (remove staples from bags). covers your food scraps to prevent odor. Bedding can be made from a Dried flowers or household plants are also okay. variety of materials, but torn or shredded newspaper is the most common. Do not feed worms meat, dairy products, or food scraps that have been Before adding worms to your bin, follow these simple steps to cooked with oil. These items will attract pests and produce odors in a make bedding. small indoor worm bin. Also avoid very spicy or salty foods, large amounts of citrus, or toxic ingredients like alcohol. How much to feed: As mentioned in step 2, the amount of food scraps you can feed your worms depends on the amount of worms in your bin. If you have one pound of worms, you can feed them approximately 3.5 pounds of food scraps each week. When to feed: You can feed your worms small amounts every day or their whole week’s food supply at one time. If you feed your worms weekly (which is probably the most convenient way), it’s best to store food scraps in your freezer or refrigerator throughout the week to prevent odor and pests. If you don’t have room in your freezer or refrigerator, you can store food scraps anywhere that’s convenient. Cover food scraps with torn newspaper to help mask odors.

Tear newspaper into one-inch wide strips. You can tear by hand or use How to feed: a paper shredder. Important: Do not use glossy paper or full color paper • Chop large food scraps into as the toxic chemical dyes and heavy metal residues could end up in your one- or two-inch pieces. If finished compost. you are freezing food scraps, Moisten strips of newspaper. Gently squeeze out excess moisture; chop them up first. It’s best newspaper should be the consistency of a wrung-out sponge. to defrost food scraps before feeding them to your worms. Fill your bin about two-thirds full of bedding. Use your hands to fluff up the bedding. • Move some bedding to the side and add food scraps. Each time you feed your worms, place the food scraps in a different area of the bin. After making the bedding, gently pour worms on top of it. They will This will evenly distribute the food scraps. It will also give you a sense of burrow their way down on their own. how long it takes for the food scraps to break down and how much you can add to the bin each time. • Cover the food scraps by adding more torn up newspaper strips. This prevents pests and odors. Never leave food scraps exposed on top of the bin.

4 5 5 Observe the conditions in your bin. Are food scraps taking too long to decompose? Break food into Monitor your worm bin regularly to make sure you are providing smaller pieces, especially hard, woody items like stems. You can also healthy living conditions for your worms and to avoid problems with freeze and thaw food scraps to break down cell walls. If decomposition pests or odors. is still slow after chopping food scraps, feed worms less. If your worm bin is healthy, it will smell earthy like soil, you will see food Are there fruit flies near your bin? If fruit flies are a problem, you can scraps and bedding disappear over time, and it will feel damp but not try using flypaper traps or make your own fruit fly trap. (House flies soggy (worms will have glistening skin if moisture is sufficient). should not be attracted to your worm bin if you cover the food scraps Also, a healthy bin should have small quantities of other decomposer with bedding material.) organisms, such as mites or little white worms. It’s actually a good thing to Freeze fruit before feeding to worms or microwave fruit for 60 seconds. have controlled populations of these and other insects—they help with the These actions help to kill fruit fly eggs. You can also simply avoid decomposition process. Compost critters want to stay where the food is adding fruit. so you don’t need to worry about them leaving your bin. Every time you feed your worms or at least once a week, Here are two kinds of easy fruit fly traps you can make yourself: review the troubleshooting guide below to evaluate the • Funnel fly trap. Pour some apple cider vinegar or beer conditions in your bin and fix as needed. into a glass jar and add a drop of detergent. Cut the corner off a plastic sandwich bag and place it into the jar; secure the plastic bag “funnel” with a rubber band Troubleshooting around the rim of the jar. Are the bin contents too wet? Worms can drown or your bin can produce putrid odors if your bin is too wet. Bedding should feel • Bottle fly trap. Cut a small plastic water or soda bottle about as moist as a wrung-out sponge. If your bin is too wet, add dry in half. Fill the bottom half with some apple cider vinegar bedding to soak up pooling water. Also, reduce the amount of food you or beer and a drop of detergent. Turn the top half upside feed your worms—food scraps add moisture to your bin. down and place it into the bottom half so that the neck forms a funnel. Secure the two halves with tape. Are the bin contents too dry? Because worms breathe through their skin, bedding should be consistently moist (like a wrung-out sponge) in order to create a comfortable habitat for your worms. Food scraps Are there a lot of mites in your bin? A small mite population is good, will naturally add water to your bin and should keep the bedding moist. but if you notice large collections of mites you should try to remove However, if your bedding seems dry, add more water with a spray them. Remove any food that has a congregation of mites. Then, bring bottle or watering can. Or add more food scraps. bin outside and leave it open in the sun for one to two hours to dry it Does the bin smell? Make sure all food scraps are covered with out a little. Repeat as necessary until mite population is reduced. bedding to prevent odor. Some foods are naturally odorous when To trap mites, place a slice of fresh bread in the bin, wait until mites decomposing (such as onions, broccoli, or cabbage). Remove foods congregate on it, and then remove the bread. that produce unpleasant odors if it bothers you. Don’t add meat, (continued on next page) bones, dairy, or oil products. (continued on next page)

6 7 6 Harvest finished compost. It usually takes about three to six months to accumulate finished compost, which resembles dark, crumbly soil. When your bin is nearly full, it’s time Is there any other kind of pest infestation? Remember, it’s healthy to harvest your vermicompost (another word for compost from worms). to see controlled populations of insects in your bin. But if your bin is Harvesting is when you remove the vermicompost from the bin and swarming with insects, there is a problem in your bin. The best solution separate it from the bits of bedding, food scraps, or worms that are in it. may be to harvest the worms (see step six) and start a new bin from (Vermicompost becomes toxic to worms if left in the bin for too long without scratch, using what you’ve learned from your experience to create a adding new food scraps.) better bin. Here are two ways to harvest finished compost: Are there few or no worms in your bin? Dead worms decompose rather quickly—you can have a bin with no worms before you realize it. If your bin is too wet or too dry, worms can die. They can also die from lack The Easy Way of air, so make sure your bin has enough ventilation. This method is very easy but it takes about a month to complete. Also, make sure your bin is located in a place where the temperature is 1. Move all the contents over to one side of the bin. between 55°F and 80°F (13°C and 27°C). If contents of your bin seem 2. Add new moistened bedding (strips of newspaper) to the empty side, very compacted, add paper tubes or other bulky paper products such then start placing food scraps on that side. as torn up paper egg cartons to increase air flow. Worms can also die if they have not been fed for a long time, though they can usually live many 3. Over about a one-month period, most of the worms should move over weeks before lack of food becomes an issue. to the new bedding, allowing you to scoop out the relatively worm-free vermicompost.

8 9 The Fast Way 7 Use your compost! This method is fast but it is more involved. Vermicompost is an excellent source of 1. Spread out a newspaper or tarp on the ground or on a table. nutrients for plants. When you transplant, 2. Move bedding over to one side of the worm bin. throw a handful into the hole before you 3. Remove dark crumbly material from the worm bin. plant. You can also mix vermicompost into 4. Make small piles of vermicompost on the newspaper. (The worms will the top layer of soil for your potted plants. gather in the center of the piles to avoid bright light.) If you don’t have a garden or own any houseplants, add vermicompost to 5. While you are waiting for worms to gather into the center of the the soil around street trees on your block or consider donating it to a local vermicompost piles, make new bedding. community garden. 6. Brush the castings off of the top and sides of each small pile. Put this finished material in a bag or container. 7. Add new bedding to the empty side of the worm bin. To learn more about how to use compost, and for technical 8. Add fresh food scraps to the empty side of the worm bin. support in starting or maintaining a worm bin, contact the NYC Compost Project. Visit nyc.gov/compostproject for 9. Gently harvest the castings from the outside of each pile and put the more information. castings in a bag or container. 10. Carefully remove the worms that have clustered in the center of each pile. Put them back into the worm bin. 11. Scoop up any remaining vermicompost and return to the bin. 12. It’s okay if there are a few worms still in the vermicompost if you are going to use it in a garden. However, if you are using it in potted plants, it’s best to remove all worms.

10 11 Worm Anatomy

performs esophagus: crop: stores food intestine: connects in the earthworm’s the final digestion pharynx with digestive system and absorption of the the crop nutrients from food gizzard: uses cerebral sandy grit ganglion: posterior: from the soil nerve bundle tail of worm to grind up that serves the food as the brain

5 “hearts” (aortic arches): regulate blood flow and produce a pulse

clitellum: pharynx: used in pushes food reproduction; makes anus: where worm mucus to form mouth: down into manure (castings) an egg- carrying entrance to the digestive are expelled from cocoon; only found the digestive system the worm on adult worms tract of an earthworm dorsal blood vessels: carry blood anterior: to the front of the head of worm’s body worm

ventral blood vessels: carry blood to the back of the worm’s body bristles (setae): tiny hairs that help the earthworm to segments: small move and sense rings that surround the environment the worm’s body

The NYC Compost Project works to rebuild NYC’s soils by providing New Yorkers with the knowledge, skills, and opportunities they need to produce and use compost locally. Learn more at nyc.gov/compostproject.

Printed on recycled paper, of course. Save for reference—or recycle it! 06340: INDOOR WORM COMPOSTING BROCHURE 4.16 Tips and tricks from fellow vermicomposters:

- If you are having fruit fly problems: o Freeze the vegetable scraps and then thaw them before feeding the worms. This will kill any fruit fly eggs or larvae and breakdown the cell walls of the food making it easier for the worms to eat it. Just make sure you thaw it out first. o Put a nice 3-4 inch layer of dry bedding on top of the moist bedding and cover the food with it. Also a single sheet of newspaper or cardboard on top of that helps. o Decrease the rate of feeding. Most people seem to be on a once a week schedule, which appears to limit fruit flies. A three day feeding schedule appears to encourage fruit flies. This might be due to uneaten food lying around too long in the bin. - If you are having moisture problems: o Remember that some of the food you feed the worms has high water content and will add moisture to the bedding. If the bedding is moist leave it alone. There is no need to add water if the bedding remains moist on its own. o If your bedding becomes too wet add dry bedding to it and mix well and add a nice layer of dry bedding to the top a few inches thick. o Only use shredded newspaper. Copy paper and other papers will hold too much moisture and stick together making a solid layer that the worms can’t wiggle through. - Worms trying to escape: o Keep a light on the kit. o Add a layer of dry bedding 3-5 inches thick. o Add a solid sheet of cardboard or newspaper Innovative Demonstration Projects - Community Based Food

Community Based Food Innovative Demonstration Project #7 Open Seed Quest

7) Chesapeake Education, Arts and Research Society (CHEARS is partnering with Heathcote Community on a proect called Chesapeake Open Seed Quest-Greenbelt Intergenerational. The proect aims to foster the health and food security of the Greenbelt community by helping to develop and implement a series of intergenerational hands-on educational workshops and piloting of citien science accessible open seed trials. This proect is designed to foster community engagement and interest in the diversity of local open organic heirloom seeds planted for seed security and working for climate change mitigation. It will focus on the history of the local Coastal Plain and Piedmont bioregion’s food heritage.

CHEARS is hoping that the workshops and seed saving citien science trials conducted over the 2020 period in Greenbelt and in a sister proect in a Heathcote Community in a rural area north of Baltimore will serve as a model for other seed saving exchanges in the Chesapeake watershed. The proect has a special outreach to underserved youth and to senior citiens and persons with disabilities and a goal of supporting urban agriculture and fostering rural-urban linkages. The project’s long-term goal is to establish a local heritage open organic seed exchange library in Greenbelt and longer term throughout the watershed.

CHEARS received a $3,621 Greenbelt Community Foundation grant and a Chesapeake Bay Trust mini- grant with its partner, Heathcote Community. The open-seed trials will be conducted in the Three Sisters Gardens and Food Forest and at the Heathcote Community Farm. CHEARS believes that in these times of climate crisis, decline in seed diversity, use of toxic seeds to grow food, and habitat and pollinator loss, working on open seed-saving citien science proects is a way to learn intergenerationally, get families reconnected with their food, and support each other in transforming farms, yards, or balconies into eco- oases. The City has been supporting both the Three Sisters Gardens and Food Forest by providing free use of its land, and the open-seed trials will be conducted there, as well as by providing free venues for Open-Seed workshops.

https://www.greenbeltnewsreview.com/news-stories/chears-open-seed-quest-awarded-grant-by- foundation/

Innovative Demonstration Projects - Community Based Food 7) Open Seed Quest Proofs 7.1 to 7.4 Inside Stories GREENBELT

Bun Cafe, p.8 Time Bank, p.11 News ReviewAn Independent Newspaper VOL. 83, No. 11 15 Crescent Rd., Suite 100, Greenbelt, MD 20770-1887 FEBRUARY 6, 2020

Help-By-Phone Food Pantry Dishing the Dirt on Greenbelt’s Gets Reprieve into September by Lesley Kash First Mud Cloth Workshop by Brogan Gerhart Este artículo está disponible relieved that during the past three en español en nuestra página months we have received canned web www.greenbeltnewsreview. goods and $40,000 in checks, On Sunday, February 2, com. which, when added to what we over 40 people filtered in Help-By-Phone food pantry had on hand, are enough to keep and out of the Community has dodged the bullet for now, our pantries open into Septem- Center to create a work of having received private donations ber,” said Board President Mar- art using nothing but sticks sufficient to keep the organization sha Voigt. and fermented mud. Art- operating through the summer. Help-By-Phone board mem- ist in Residence Karen Ar- As of last November, the pantry bers reached that decision at rington led the traditional faced the likelihood of clos- their January meeting while also mud cloth workshop where ing its doors due to insufficient addressing the need to update participants used six differ- private donations and unreliable technologies and strategies for ent colors of mud to stencil grant support from the federal communications and fundraising in everything from bananas government. This, after five de- efforts. Board Vice-President Jim to caterpillars or create their cades of Help-By-Phone’s feed- Lang is developing a website own unique design. “It’s ing, clothing and sheltering the explaining Help-By-Phone’s mis- not really like painting,” poor in Prince George’s County. sion and inviting donations and Greenbelter Lois Rosado Fortunately, subsequent private volunteers. said, as she pressed a mud- donations have given the pantry Board members are also plan- covered stick against the breathing room to prepare for a ning social media strategies for fabric canvas to give her butterfly wings. “You really challenging future. See PANTRY, page 4 “We are greatly blessed and have to press and pull the mud to get it to stay.” But getting the mud on the fabric, being careful not to mix the mud in its jar, is not the only step in this Bogolanfini tradition of Mali. After the first coat is applied, Arrington said that drying, rinsing, reapplying and repeating are absolutely PHOTO BY BROGAN GERHART BROGAN BY PHOTO essential to the process. Kyndall Minor, left, 7, and Emelia Loo, 6, showcase their beautiful mud Hair dryers were cloth designs. plugged in at stations around the room for people to not dry, and then apply washes a different kind of marmalade. dry their work after each coat, of that would alter the colors of “It’s very fun!” Sally Gilbert, a which there were two or three. the cloth the piece was made on. resident of University Park, said. Rinsing stations were also avail- Because all of the washes were “The most difficult part about it made using a variety of fruits, able for attendees to first wash See MUD CLOTH, page 12 away any excess mud that did each rinsing station smelled like PHOTO BY LESLEY KASH LESLEY BY PHOTO Help-By-Phone Pantry volunteers Marsha Voigt and Ron Dobson survey food donations from Greenbelt Community Church. Community Foundation Awards WMATA May Eliminate B30 Grants to Two Local Projects Bus, Postpone Work on Platform by Stephanie Calhoun The Greenbelt Community to the Greenbelt community. residents will be welcome and by Matthew Arbach Foundation (GCF) has announced The $5,000 grant from GCF the monthly workshops will offer On January 22, representa- these cuts, among others, are now that two local organizations have will allow S.I.T.Y. Stars Acad- not only take-home gifts such as tives of the Washington Met- being considered as WMATA been awarded grants in its latest emy to launch the Get Greenbelt a free jump rope but will feature ropolitan Area Transit Author- prepares the Fiscal Year 2021 funding cycle. Chesapeake Edu- Moving program (GGM). The the S.I.T.Y. Stars Jump Rope ity (WMATA) were invited to budget. cation, Arts and Research Society objective of GGM is to encour- team. They have performed on a worksession of the Greenbelt In the next couple months, (CHEARS) and S.I.T.Y. Stars age families to get fit and have Nickelodeon Television for a City Council to address sev- WMATA will be convening pub- Academy have received grants in fun together as they attend free See GRANTS, page 7 eral pressing issues, principally lic hearings in all its jurisdictions support of projects that contribute workshops throughout town. All the proposed elimination of the to gather public input. Other B30 bus route that connects the items on the table include: bet- Greenbelt Metro Station and ter weekend Metrobus service; BWI Airport and the deferral of improved MetroExtra service; the platform reconstruction at the better weekend Metrorail service; What Goes On Greenbelt Station. Government restored late night Metrorail ser- Monday, February 10 Relations Officer Charlie Scott vice; improved customer service; 8 p.m. City Council Meet- and Bus Operations Specialist weekday early morning Metrorail ing, Municipal Building. Officer Ginger Archibald spoke right-sizing; and reduced overlap- Preceded by a Closed Meet- for WMATA. ping and less productive bus ser- ing at 7 p.m. on Collective In a letter sent from the city vice, of which the B30 proposal Bargaining. to WMATA on January 16, coun- is a part. Ultimately, the Metro Wednesday, February 12 cil called the B30 “an essential board will debate the options and 8 p.m. Closed City Council transportation link for Metrobus make a final decision. meeting on Real Estate, and Metrorail users which should WMATA cited low ridership Municipal Building be maintained.” Furthermore, as the central reason for elimi- (See city ad on page 5 “the platform and other aging nating the B30. According to for Black History Month infrastructure at the Greenbelt Archibald, it averages 264 board- Event.) Station are in need of repair and See WMATA, page 8 REBEKAH SUTFIN BY PHOTO rehabilitation now.” However, S.I.T.Y. Stars perform at Celebration of Spring in May, 2019. Thursday, February 6, 2020 GREENBELT NEWS REVIEW Page 7

A Review Local Recycling Still Viable Love’s Labour’s Lost Is Now In Contrast with U.S. Trend On at Greenbelt Arts Center by Daniel M. Thies by Julie Rapp For recycling programs in refuse per resident to $280 per are in a different position from Love’s Labour’s Lost, one of their encampment. They all im- the U.S., the last years have not year, as compared with $356 in Greenbelt; they have local incin- Shakespeare’s early comedies, is mediately fall in love, the king been bright. In 2009, Ocean City other parts of Prince George’s erators that use the city’s waste now being staged at the Green- with the princess and the three ceased its recycling program, cit- County. as an energy resource – some- belt Arts Center (GAC) by The lords with one each of the ladies. ing money as the deciding factor, Dr. Luisa Robles, the sustain- thing that is cost efficient at the Rude Mechanicals, a local, di- Costard, the king’s fool, and in March, Prince George’s ability coordinator for Public scale of their city, but not so at verse and eclectic nonprofit the- played with comedic flare by County reported the combined Works, attributes the success in Greenbelt’s size. However, even ater company. The Rude Mechan- Linda “Spencer” Dye, is charged recycling program – a program the recycling program to high if recycling isn’t going to be icals are known for their love of with delivering love letters but that is usually profitable – cost public awareness and engage- scrapped, the Zero Waste Circle Shakespeare and other classical cleverly mixes them up, creating $2.7 million in 2018. This drastic ment. Over the past year, the city does have some cost-saving poli- works, as well as for being rebels confusion whereby the men’s love change is because recycled mate- has been showing what can and cy recommendations. From 2017 in the theater world. for the women is revealed. rials, like paper and plastics, are can’t be recycled by tabling at to this year, they have researched The play follows the King The king and lords decide to not selling for as much as they special events, giving lectures for ways in which organic material, of Navarre, played by Justin court the women by disguising used to. Sound Resource Man- schools and sending informational like food scraps, are reclaimed in Bigelow, and three lords, Lon- themselves so as not to appear agement Group, an organization flyers to new residents. Local the region. Overall, they found gaville, Dumaine and Berowne, to break their oath. The court- focused on reducing waste and organizations have also helped to that by making composting and as well as a Spanish knight vis- ing does not go well, due to pollution, cites the average value make alternatives to trash more organic waste collection more iting the court, Armado, played the men’s deceptive practices. of curbside recycled materials in accessible. Businesses like the accessible for people, the amount by Richard S. Huffman. These The Princess and ladies devise some areas dropping from about Greenbelt Federal Credit Union of waste (and money) going to noblemen resolve, after a rowdy a clever prank to exact revenge $140 per ton in 2017 to $26 per run special document-shredding landfills would fall. The PG Zero turn of courtly pleasure, to swear upon the men. Claudia Bach as ton today. Hardest hit recycling events twice a year. Others, like Waste Initiatives Report finds that off women for three years and Rosaline gives a layered, imagi- programs in the U.S. were those the New Deal Café, use com- if 35 percent of Prince George’s focus entirely on scholarship and native performance along with that depended on exporting re- posting to reduce the amount of County waste was diverted, an fasting. The endeavor was not Holly Trout as Maria and Malia cyclables to China before its food waste going into landfills. estimated $4.3 million in landfill entirely genuine, but done more Murray as Katharine. National Sword policy in January Greenbelt’s Zero Waste Circle, a tipping fees would have been for notoriety. The play, directed Jaquenetta, a country wench 2018 banned them. group made of Green Team vol- avoided. The full findings were by Liana Olear, offers a modern cleverly played by Erin Nealer, In spite of this, Greenbelt’s re- unteers and Public Works staff, delivered to the city for their twist when man signs his alle- displays charms that enchant Cos- cycling program is a silver lining has also been working on ways consideration. giance to the oath and then drops tard and Armado. Sean Eustis, as to the city’s Public Works budget. to further improve outreach and The City of Greenbelt has his cell phone into a hat. Holofernes, passionately performs While the value of recyclables waste reduction, with the ultimate some recommendations for resi- Peter Eichman as Berowne the learned schoolmaster and has gone down, it is still much goal of bringing landfill use down dents to make the most out of gives a convincing performance Nathan Rose, as Sir Nathaniel, cheaper for the city to recycle to zero. the recycling program during as he passionately attempts to gives a convincing performance goods than put them in a land- However, if the value of re- the holidays. Any leftover card- resist signing the oath, fearing it as a celibate and prudish curate, fill, and over the last five years, cycled paper and plastics lowers board boxes from gift exchanges will be too hard to keep. Laurel uncomfortable with all the sweet Public Works has seen more re- enough, could Greenbelt’s recy- should be flattened before being Miller Simms (Longaville) and talk. These two actors skillfully cycling than refuse. In 2018, over cling program one day be trashed put into recycling. Also, Pub- Joshua Engel (Dumaine) playfully read with flourish and comedic 60 percent of all waste collection too? It is very unlikely, according lic Works picks up discarded go along with the king’s plan. commentary on the love letters was from recycling, and it is to Robles: it simply costs less to Christmas trees. Finally, it is The play continues with the written by the characters. expected that 2019 will continue hand off recyclable materials than better to put items in the trash arrival of the Princess of France, Bigelow (the king) gives an that trend. This, as well as waste to pay to dump them into a land- if you are not certain that they played by Megan Parlett, along emotive, tender performance at reduction initiatives, has helped fill. Places in the U.S. that have are curbside recyclable. Check with her three ladies-in-waiting, the end when he declares his true bring down the yearly cost of ceased recycling, like Ocean City, out Greenbelt’s Recycling Pro- Maria, Katharine and Rosaline. love for the Princess. Parlett (the gram flyer greenbeltmd.gov/home/ The women cannot be received princess) responds with a heartfelt showdocument?id=1000 to find at court due to the king’s oath, and sincere performance, telling out what can and cannot be re- continued from page 1 so the king and the three lords the king that she must return to GRANTS cycled. proceed to visit the feminine France upon the death of her Public Service Announcement rural areas and older and younger entourage outside the castle at father. with First Lady Michelle Obama, residents of the Chesapeake Bay Although lines are spoken in in the Disney movie Jump In!, at Watershed. Chesapeake Open traditional Shakespeare’s Eliza- the Cherry Blossom Parade and Seed Quest/Greenbelt Intergen- bethan English, the clothing and Festival, and many other loca- erational is designed to involve set are all very modern. Innova- tions and events. senior citizens with accessible tive but sparse, the set consists The second grant recipient is community gardens, to work of only a picnic table outside the CHEARS, a no-office nonprofit against the isolation that older castle, where most of the action organization that focuses on in- citizens often experience and to takes place, and a large video tergenerational environmental locate seed banks within senior screen as a stage backdrop dis- education, arts, research, and fa- communities. playing cell phone text messages cilitating community stewardship Grant applications are care- that relate to the action. Uneven practices to restore the health of fully considered based on viabil- and confusing are the modern the Chesapeake bioregion. They ity, effect on the community and day, eclectic clothing worn by the were founded in 2006 and run on the funding available during various characters. projects implemented by volun- the given grant cycle. To help Come see this original, funny teers and sustained through com- support these and future projects, portrayal of romance where grand munity partnerships. GCF encourages donations and gestures and instant gratification This $3,621 grant will allow promotion of the funded events. are met with some resistance, for the launching of a brand new GCF’s mission is to support AD FOR NEWS REVIEW leading to a more nuanced, ma- project focusing on develop- worthwhile initiatives by local or- ture view of love. Now playing ing a series of workshops and ganizations benefiting the Green- PLEASE RUN ON at GAC through February 8, crowd-sourcing citizen science belt community. GCF has two FEBRUARY 6 & 13 Friday and Saturday evenings at seed trials designed to increase grant cycles a year; grant awards 8 p.m. To purchase tickets, visit the community’s understand- range from $500 to $5,000 and

PHOTO BY GLENN HARRIS BY PHOTO greenbeltartscenter.org or call ing of seeds and engagement are given to Greenbelt commu- 301-441-8770. in intergenerational seed saving nity groups, cooperatives and A deer pays attention to a passing photographer while feeding activities. A long term goal is to nonprofit organizations. Inter- during the afternoon in the woods near the former St. Hugh’s establish a local plant research ested groups may next apply for School. exchange library cooperative that a grant on April 15 for new or fosters links between urban and existing projects. GreenbeltAD FOR NEWS REVIEW Nursery School PLEASE RUN ON FEBRUARY 6 & 13 Open House SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 29, from 5:30 – 7:30 Registration for Fall 2020 Saturday,Greenbelt February Nursery School 22, 10 am – 1 pm Join Greenbelt Nursery School families at our Open House All You Can Eat Spaghetti Dinner at The Greenbelt ClassesRegistration for for children Fall 2020 ages 2, 3, and 4 Community Church 1 Hillside Road, Greenbelt, MD Saturday, February 22, 10 am – 1 pm Two, three, andClasses five for children days ages 2,a 3, week. and 4 Low child to staff ratio. Two, three, and five days a week. Low child to staff ratio. Silent Auction – Bid on a Chincoteague Vacation Home, FullFull day day educational educational programs available. programs available. Washington National Baseball Tickets and more! Greenbelt Community Center 15 Crescent Road 301-474-5570 www.greenbeltnurseryschool.org

Greenbelt CommunityAccredited by NAEYC’s Center National Academy 15 Crescent Road Tickets purchased or reserved in advance: of Early Childhood Programs $10 Adults, $5 Children 10 and under 301-474-5570 www.greenbeltnurseryschool.org Tickets at the door: $15 Adults, $5 Children 10 and under Accredited by NAEYC’s National Academy of Early Childhood Programs For reservations or information please email us at [email protected] Inside Stories GREENBELT

Beauchamp SHLES D.A.R.E. News ReviewAn Independent Newspaper Legacy, p.12 students, p.9 VOL. 83, No. 17 15 Crescent Rd., Suite 100, Greenbelt, MD 20770-1887 MARCH 19, 2020

Poor Process and Preparation Coronavirus Prevent Progress on Pop-Up Greenbelt Urges Cancellations, by Cathie Meetre

The regular council meeting played a role in the logjam. Cleanliness During Pandemic of March 9 was marred and Councilmember Emmett Jor- by Aneurin Canham-Clyne prolonged by procedural fumbles dan remarked that perhaps coun- and lack of preparation. Early cil should consider that many Este artículo está disponible community spread through- presentations were either lacking bodies like council do not engage en español en nuestra página web out Prince George’s County, materials or flawed by errors. in dialog during the petitions and www.greenbeltnewsreview.com. meaning people who haven’t As a result, significant time was requests segment of the agenda Mayor Colin Byrd laid out traveled abroad have fallen wasted – with almost an hour – recording the content but not a seven-part plan for the City ill with the virus through and a half elapsing before any commenting or discussing it. (Ed- of Greenbelt’s response to the contact with others here. business was actually accom- itors Note: The Prince George’s COVID-19 pandemic in a video “It spreads from person plished. Though part of the prob- County Council enforces a strict released on Friday. to person, through respira- lem came from presenters who time limit per speaker – two “It’s really simple,” Byrd said, tory droplets, what we know weren’t fully prepared, some city “inform, clean, protect, prepare, as coughing and sneezing,” and council process issues also See COUNCIL, page 8 cancel, collaborate, unite.” Byrd said. “We know that Byrd said newly confirmed Coronavirus-COVID-19 can cases of COVID-19, a novel be spread through surfaces, coronavirus with an incubation that’s why we’re emphasiz- period of 2 to 14 days, showed ing folks cleaning things.” Byrd said the infection Several Greenbelt officials usually causes fever, cough attended the recent National and shortness of breath, and League of Cities Congressional emphasized the risk faced COLIN BYRD COURTESY PHOTO Cities Conference in Washing- by older people and people Mayor Colin Byrd appears in a video ton, D.C., March 6 to 11. NLC with chronic illnesses. He to help inform Greenbelt residents contacted conference attendees then moved on to the sec- about the city's preparation for and on Tuesday and informed them ond part of the effort: clean- response to COVID-19. that at least two have tested ing. positive to COVID-19. The Byrd said the city had 11 the city has begun cleaning two reported cases are not stand-alone hand sanitizer sta- its facilities and vehicles more from Greenbelt. tions in building entrances, and planned to add more. Byrd said See PANDEMIC, page 5 CHEARS Open Seed Quest Awarded Grant by Foundation by Carol Griffith

On March 7, CHEARS (the reconnected with their food and both Native American and African Chesapeake Education, Arts support each other in transform- American communities. Africans and Research Society) held its ing farms, yards or balconies into who were enslaved and taken to

PHOTO BY JUDY MCCORD JUDY BY PHOTO first workshop after receiving a eco-oases. North America on slave ships Greenbelt Community Founda- Seed saving is not a new ac- The Old Greenbelt Theatre has gone dark in response to the See CHEARS, page 11 coronavirus pandemic. tion (GCF) grant for its most tivity – it has a long history in recent project, the Chesapeake Intergenerational Open Seed Quest. CHEARS received the Hanover Parkway Bikeway GCF grant and a Chesapeake Bay Trust mini-grant with its partner Feasibility Study Discussed in the Seed Quest, the School of Living’s Heathcote Community. by Matthew Arbach Heathcote is a community located on 40 acres at the site of a histor- On March 2, Sabra & As- the wider Anacostia regional trail ic rural mill north of Baltimore, sociates (SA), represented by network. thereby creating an urban-rural transportation planner and project Funding for the study came link with Greenbelt. manager Bryon White, shared in November 2017 from a grant The Chesapeake Intergenera- with the Greenbelt City Council from the Maryland Department tional Open Seed Quest will em- the findings of their feasibility of Transportation Bikeways Pro- ploy citizen science open-seed study concerning a bikeway along gram. trials in the Three Sisters Gardens Hanover Parkway. They presented White laid out design assump- and Food Forest in Greenbelt options A and B to council. The tions first, which included: an and at the Heathcote Community area studied was the Hanover all-age facility; avoidance of Farm. CHEARS believes that in Parkway corridor between Man- large and fast turnings for bikes these times of climate crisis, dan Road and Good Luck Road. and pedestrians; tree retention; decline in seed diversity, use of They offered designs of bicycle minimization of expensive utility toxic seeds to grow food, and facilities, such as bike trails and relocation; ease for continuing habitat and pollinator loss, work- racks, on 30 percent of a prior- maintenance and a minimizing of ing on open seed-saving citizen ity area between the Spellman impacts to on-street parking. science projects is a way to learn Overpass and Greenbrook Drive. Option A was an on-road de- intergenerationally, get families Community Planner Molly Porter sign. It included buffered and said that this would help lead to protected bike lanes, achieved bridging the missing link in the with inexpensive posts or prefab trail that is needed for bicyclists concrete barriers, as well as pos- What Goes On PHOTO BY CAROL GRIFFITH CAROL BY PHOTO to be able to access Historic sible grass-filled medians, lessen- Monday, March 23 Greenbelt. This plan will also ing stormwater management. Karen Stupski, right, of the School of Living’s Heathcote Com- 8 p.m. City Council Meet- munity, CHEARS’s partner in the Chesapeake Intergenerational enable a cross-city bicycle route Option B was a completely ing,. See box on page 3. which ultimately will connect to Open Seed Quest, and Bob Cahalan assemble the “keyhole” garden See BIKEWAY, page 7 designed for wheelchair access to the entire garden. Thursday, March 19, 2020 GREENBELT NEWS REVIEW Page 11

CHEARS continued from page 1 PANDEMIC continued from page 5  schools. also prohibited gatherings of  In an email exchange with the more than 50 people. Banks, gas News Review on Monday, City stations and grocery stores will  Manager Nicole Ard explained remain open, according to Hogan. that protecting city employees “These emergency orders carry  was also a priority. the full force of the law and will  “New ways of delivering ser- be strictly enforced,” Hogan said.   vice like teleworking, practicing Hogan also prohibited utilities  social distancing, using video and from shutting off services to resi-  telephone conferences are to help dents or charging late fees for the  keep residents and employees duration of the crisis, and ordered  safe so we can continue deliver- a halt to the eviction of tenants ing service,” Ard wrote. during the state of emergency.  Hogan Hogan also said the state had the [3  On Monday morning, Gov- capability to provide three meals fr AI TOI 2 ernor Larry Hogan gave a press and a snack to students who need    conference. “We should continue food while schools are closed.  PHOTO BY CAROL GRIFFITH CAROL BY PHOTO to expect the number of cases to Prince George’s County Public  CHEARS members and volunteers accept a check from the Green- dramatically and rapidly rise,” Schools announced on their web-  belt Community Foundation for the Chesapeake Intergenerational Hogan said. “We have never site that students and parents can    Open Seed Quest. From left, Robert Goldberg- Strassler, Carol Ne- faced anything like this before. pick up lunches at some schools   zzo, Karen Stupski of the School of Living’s Heathcote Community, This is going to be much harder, between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.,  Ron Garrett, Carol Griffith representing the Greenbelt Community take much longer and be much while two meals and a snack  Foundation, Maggie Cahalan, Pat McCoy, Ben Fischler, and Bob worse than almost anyone is cur- were available from 10 a.m. to  Cahalan. Not pictured is CHEARS’ Carolyn Lambright-Davis. rently understanding.” 1 p.m. at some other locations.      Hogan announced a series of See the article on this topic on brought seeds from their home- project. The gardens are waist-  executive orders to shut down page 12.  lands with them as a source of high for easy access by seniors all bars, restaurants, movie the-  sustenance. and persons with disabilities, and aters and gyms beginning 5 p.m.        The project has a special out- one is a “keyhole” garden, with Monday. The order permits such  reach to families, senior citizens an area in its center designed for business to continue delivery and  and persons with disabilities. wheelchair access to all sides of takeout service. The governor  The workshop was the first of the garden. All gardens have an      six designed to introduce seed area to hold compost for fertil-       swapping, plant and harvest the izing.  seed trials, and start a seed li- The GCF awards grants to       brary. Seeds of lettuce and variet- Greenbelt organizations, coop-  ies of peas that are cold-weather eratives and other groups to visit   tolerant will be the first seeds use for improving the Green-        used in the project. The CHEARS belt community. There are two       Earth Squad, an afterschool pro- grant cycles, one in the spring www.greenbeltnewsreview.com  gram at Springhill Lake Elemen- and another in the fall. To ap-  tary, will play a large part in ply for the spring cycle, orga-     future workshops. nizations are required to submit w  In this first workshop at the completed proposals by email to •■• ••■  ■  Schrom Hills Three Sisters Gar- greenbeltcommunityfoundation@ Greenbelt Auto & Truck Repair Inc.  dens and Food Forest, about 20 gmail.com by midnight on April 2  volunteers and CHEARS mem- 15. Visit the GCF website at 159 Centerway Road       bers shared a potluck lunch, greenbeltfoundation.org for eligi-       Greenbelt, Maryland 20770 ..e. ..       learned about the Chesapeake In- bility criteria, application instruc- MDE -% tergenerational Open Seed Quest tions and the application form. Let's Clear The Air  Maryland Department         and assembled the gardens for the of the Environment 301-982-2582 www.greenbeltautoandtruck.com       A.S.E.   Master Certified Technicians            A complete service facility equipped to        perform all service requirements that your  GREENBE SERCE CENER    manufacturer recommends to comply with  Preventive Maintenance service sched-  Auto Repairs &  Road Service ules & extended warranty programs! Also,      routine repairs that keep your vehicles  .S.E. Certified echnicians operating safely and reliably.       The Bus Maryland State nspections   Auto-body, collision repairs and theft recovery damage 161 CENTERWAY         Seniors and Customers with A.S.E. 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Liska Susan Barker       Real Estate Broker Realtor    Owner of Freedom Realty Freedom Realty       Phone: 301.385.0523 Phone: 301.675.1873      [email protected] [email protected]               EDOM       ,". EALTY  Detached Home [@.] 3D GARDENWAY 10V SOUTHWAY  Thursday, March 5, 2020 GREENBELT NEWS REVIEW Page 3 Community Events Local Groups Discuss Menu for Senior Celebrate Greenbelt Mindfulness Series Join Hot Composting Climate Action Nutrition Program Through HUG Walk Greenbelt Unplugged is spon- Recycle Food Scraps On Wednesday, March 11, The Senior Nutrition Food RUAK (Random Unselfish soring a new monthly series that Learn how to recycle food from 7 to 9 p.m., the Greenbelt and Friendship program pro- Acts of Kindness) is again orga- will explore different mindfulness scraps at the hot compost station Climate Action Network will vides lunches for seniors Monday nizing the Help Unite Greenbelt practices from various traditions. near Springhill Lake Recreation discuss Changing the System through Friday at the Community (HUG) Walk to be held on Sun- Meetings will be held the second Center. Join with neighbors to through Non-Violent Direct Ac- Center beginning at noon. Meals day, March 29 (rain or shine). Sunday of each month. The first participate in a system that turns tion, in the Community Center, must be reserved by 11 a.m. two All Greenbelters are invited to meeting will be at the Greenbelt food scraps and wood chips into Room 114. days ahead so that enough food participate in this event, joining Youth Center Conference Room compost. Keep food scraps from According to the Intergovern- is ordered. Call 301-397-2208 the walk in any of the Green- on Sunday, March 8 from 1:30 to creating methane at the landfill. mental Panel on Climate Change ext. 4215. belt neighborhoods noted below 3 p.m. This month’s exploration Instead, return them to the earth (IPCC), if we are to have a 67 All meals, which provide at and continuing through the city. will be the process of dialogue to nurture new plants and flow- percent chance of limiting global least one-third of Recommended RUAK requests that any and all developed by David Bohm. All ers. heating to below 1.5 degrees Dietary Allowances for older groups and individuals from the are welcome, admission is free. A free 90-minute training ses- Celsius, we had on January 1st adults, include margarine, coffee community co-sponsor this no- Location will change for future sion will be held on Saturday, of 2018 only about 420 giga- or tea and skim milk. Menus cost event, spread the word and meetings, see greenbeltunplugged. March 7 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. tonnes of C02 left to emit. At for the week of March 9 are as join their neighbors to celebrate org for more details. at the Springhill Lake Recreation our current emissions rate, that follows: Greenbelt as a special, warm and Also, First Friday Family Center. Additional training will budget will be exhausted in 8 Monday, March 9: chicken welcoming place to call home. Game Night meets in Room 114 take place there at the same time years, although many scientists breast with Alfredo sauce, garlic (There are already over 40 co- of the Community Center on Fri- on Saturday, April 4. reason that these numbers are too parmesan orzo, ratatouille, Italian sponsors including social, civic day, March 6 from 6 to 9:30 p.m. To participate and sign up for moderate. A recent climate model bread, tropical fruit, fruit punch. and religious groups.) training, apply online at this ad- by 100 of the top French climate Tuesday, March 10: sliced The HUG Walk Schedule: dress: bit.ly/GBComposting. scientists outlines a worst case ham with supreme sauce, 1 p.m., gathering at the Indian Antique Car Show Send questions to: scenario of a 6-7 degree Celsius whipped potatoes, green peas, Creek Trail bridge (Greenbelt At Capitol Cadillac GreenbeltNeighborhoodCompost rise in temperature by 2100, a whole-wheat roll, fresh fruit, Station); 1:30 p.m., walk starts; 2 Antique and classic Cadillacs @gmail.com. figure well above the worst case cranberry juice. p.m., join the walk at Springhill will be on display at the An- scenario in the IPCC reports. Wednesday, March 11: Cuban Lake Recreation Center; 2:30 nual Spring Cadillac and LaSalle Zoning and Greenbelt And yet with red lights flash- beef, brown rice, mixed veg- p.m., join the walk at Buddy At- Show being held at Capitol Ca- Chad Williams, master planner ing and alarm bells ringing it has etables, corn muffin, mandarin tick Park; 3 p.m., join the walk at dillac Company on Sunday, April of the Countywide Planning Divi- become clear that our political oranges, apple juice. Roosevelt Center; 3:30 p.m., join 26. The show will begin at 10 sion of M-NCPPC, will be speak- institutions are either unwill- Thursday, March 12: baked the walk at Greenbriar Commu- a.m. with awards being presented ing at the Greenbelt Community ing or incapable of responding chicken leg with BBQ sauce, nity Center; 4 p.m., join the walk at 3 p.m. Approximately 80 cars Development Corporation public to this crisis with the scale and black-eyed peas, collard greens, at Windsor Green Community will be on display both inside meeting on Tuesday, March 17, urgency demanded by the sci- biscuit, cranberry juice. Center; 4:30 p.m., walk concludes and out, rain or shine. Specta- from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the Com- ence. In response to this reality, Friday, March 13: potato-crust- at Schrom Hills Park. tor admission is free. For ad- munity Center, Room 114. His last September saw the largest ed fish, au gratin potatoes, dilled Any group that wishes to co- ditional information and details, topic is the Neighborhood Con- climate protests in the history of carrots, whole-wheat bread, fresh sponsor this event should contact contact Lynn at lynngardner@ servation Overlay Zone (NCOZ) the movement. Catalyzed by the fruit, orange juice. RUAK at [email protected] clcpotomacregion.org. that will affect Old Greenbelt, in youth-led school strikes, an es- or Robert Goldberg-Strassler at particular Roosevelt Center and timated 4 million people partici- 301-345-8755 by Friday, March Greenbelt Homes, Inc. Those pated in actions in over 99 coun- Seed Workshop 13. Further details of the Walk with questions should come and tries. Here in D.C., a coalition of At Schrom Hills Park will be included in the Greenbelt get their questions answered. social justice and climate activists CHEARS will present a Citi- News Review in an upcoming is- occupied intersections across the zen Science seed-starting work- sue prior to the event. city and shut down business as shop and potluck lunch on Sat- usual. Speakers from various urday, March 7 from noon to 3 GIVES Quarterly local climate groups (Extinction p.m. at the Schrom Hills Recre- Rebellion, #ShutDownDC, Be- ation Center Pavilion and Three Meeting, March 21 Know about GIVES? The yond Extreme Energy, The Cli- Sisters Garden. name stands for Greenbelt Inter- GATe Annual Membership Meeting mate Mobilization) will be pre- This hands-on workshop will generational Volunteer Exchange senting various upcoming plans demonstrate how to foster seed Sunday March 15th at 3pm Service. The goal is to help one for further “Non-Violent Direct diversity, healthy pollinators, or- another. For those who would Action” (NVDA). In the words ganic soils and food security. In Join us at the Greenbelt Access Television Studio like to have a way to be helpful of Greta Thunberg, “if solutions addition to learning how to start to others – giving a ride, help- 15 Crescent Road, Greenbelt MD, Suite 204 within the system are so impos- open pollinated seeds (those that ing with yard work occasionally, for our Annual Membership Meeting! sible to find, then maybe we can be saved and remain true in assisting with a sewing project – should change the system itself.” subsequent years, as opposed to The meeting includes a recap of last year's events this group can lead you to people The first hour will feature four one-season commercial hybrids), at GATe and voting for new board members. who need help now and then. guest speakers. The second hour participants may help install ac- Refreshments will be provided. Come to the GIVES quarterly will be devoted to updates on the cessible keyhole garden raised meeting on Saturday, March 21 city, county and state level. For beds. These new beds will better wrC Us on VER2ON Fl4 19 r COMCAST 77 at 10 a.m. in the Community questions, contact Lore Rosenthal, accommodate Citizen Science $4AM4Gt/Vat wwt.re.bl.tees.ton/eh.ell.iv.gtre.en Center. Learn how one can re- [email protected], Seed Saving Projects, as well ceive assistance when needed 301-345-2234. as be accessible for seniors and and give assistance to others who persons with disabilities. need it from time to time. Meet For more information and to GAC Presents with people who have found this register, visit the CHEARS web- Wicked Thoughts organization a rewarding part of site, chears.org. Michael Jons’ Wicked living in Greenbelt. Thoughts is a baffling trick of a show that dares to peek into Tam Green&ht wsteel +Comity£vents+weld(pd the dark corners of our indi- 8an been0cry Now Independent Global News l vidual and collective minds. The THIS WEEKEND ONLY 9a0n GAle Classic Filmn# ee4__+fr __e_ e show will run this weekend only, +1l ., March 6 to 8, at 8 p.m. on Fri- WICKED 1lam Greenbelt Discussions ·local Topics 8 Guests• day and Saturday, and at 2 p.m. I on Sunday. po Greenbelt Newsreel +Community Events+ weedy Updates[ During the 90-minute interac- THOUGHTS I pm Strata Cult rite& Arch lo¥ tive show, Jons uses his remark- I Presented by Michael Jons 2pm Greenbelt Newsreel +Commit£vents +wee.ltd able talents as a master mental- I ist and mind control expert to 3 pm GAe Classic ilmn# ee4__+fr ., __o_ Baffling trick of a show that dares to +11 ,_, expose the world of mind ma- peek into the dark corners of our . nipulation we face every day. He $ p $trat tultd it.ge& Act individual and collective minds! lot will make you laugh, leave you 6 gen Greenbelt ewreel +Community Events + Meek tdtes astonished, and have you wonder- THIS WEEKEND ONLY pm beenocreel +independent Global News ing about whose thoughts you’re Friday and Saturday really thinking. GAte Classic Film# e4__+fr .___. March 6 & 7 at 8:00PM 8 p +11 ., For more information and tick- 4. Sunday Matinee - ... \ ets visit greenbeltartscenter.org. I0 pr Dern0cry Now +independent Global News Mar 8 at 2:00PM 11po Greenbelt Discussions +local Topics8 Gusts More Community Events Buy Tickets at www.greenbeltartscenter.org 12am Greenbelt Newsreel +Community Events + weld Updates Tickets: $24 adults, $22 seniors/military, $12 students/youth GREENBELT ACCESS TELEVISION are located throughout Coming Soon to the Greenbelt Arts Center wAO US om v£RON fl64 19 6 COMCAST the paper. March 20 - 29 – Shipwrecked $r4ANGLE wwe he 4. April 17 – May 3 - The Children’s Hour ' Source: http://chears.org/gardens/ Community Based Food Innovative Demonstration Projects

Community Based Food Innovative Demonstration Project #8 Organics Task Force

8) In December 2017, the Organics Task Force (OTF), a subset of Greenbelt Green Team’s Zero Waste Circle, made plans to survey surrounding communities who have undertaken organics recycling programs. The OTF consisted of citizens from the Circle and the Environmental Coordinator from the Greenbelt Department of Public Works.

The goal was to learn enough to make a solid set of recommendations for establishing one or more programs addressing the need to recycle organic wastes, especially food scraps, and report findings to Public Works.

Two Task Force members volunteered to survey and visit the communities the Task Force recommended, as follows:  Maryland municipalities: Bowie, College Park, Takoma Park, University Park  Maryland institution: University of Maryland  Virginia municipality: Falls Church  Counties and District of Columbia: Arlington County, VA; District of Columbia; Howard County, MD; Prince George’s County, MD

The surveyors identified four discrete program types: 1. Residential curbside food scrap pick-up programs 2. Residential curbside mixed food scrap and yard waste pick-up programs 3. Food scrap drop-off programs 4. Residential curbside yard waste pick-up programs

The surveyors spent March through May, 2018, visiting and conducting interviews with representatives from the local jurisdictions. Further research and follow-up by phone continued through January 2019.

In July 2019, the Organics Task Force presented its final report to Public Works Director Jim Sterling and staff. The report outlined 11 recommendations to increase food waste recycling and gain the associated benefits of diverting waste from the landfill: decreasing methane gas emissions at the landfill and reducing vehicle emissions from hauling to the landfill.

In response, Public Works has chosen to adopt the recommendation for a drop-off program, to start when pandemic conditions allow. Public Works also is supporting other recommendations in various ways and has agreed to look further into others. Greenbelt Organics Task Force Recommendations to Increase Food Waste Recycling and Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Based on a review of the composting options examined in the Organics Programs Summary Report, the Organics Task Force recommends that the City of Greenbelt implement the following recommendations to increase food waste recycling and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. These proposals offer the environmental benefits of less waste going to the landfill and its corresponding reductions in methane emissions from the landfill and in vehicle emissions from decreased hauling to the landfill. They also envision long-term savings for the city from lower tipping fees and fuel costs, as well as reduced vehicle wear and tear and staff time spent hauling waste to the landfill. These recommendations also offer potential for offsetting costs with revenue from sales of compost, and for overall food waste reduction through increased resident awareness about food use and waste patterns.

These recommendations build on the foundation for composting that has been established over the past several years by collaboration between Zero Waste Circle volunteers, other committed Greenbelt community members, and the Greenbelt Public Works Department. This foundation has included extensive research and investigation, study of composting cooperative possibilities, promotion of backyard composting, volunteer food scrap collection at city festivals, and establishment of community composting projects at Springhill Lake Recreation Center and the New Deal Café. The latter two Greenbelt efforts are outlined on pages 73-78 in the report. These recommendations envision strengthening these efforts as well as implementing the new proposals that are listed below. Taken together, these efforts have the potential for maximum impact on waste reduction in the City of Greenbelt.

Detailed studies and reports listed at the end of these recommendations provide supporting rationale for these proposals. Information from some of these reports is cited in the body of the report.

1 Our Recommendations

1. Initiate a pilot residential curbside food scrap pick-up program, using the residential program offered by Compost Crew. Under this program, households sign-up individually at discounted rates based on how many residents register. Compost Crew would handle all registrations, customer service, communication, and collections. The only city responsibility would be to help promote the program, and the Zero Waste Circle would assist with this. According to a report, Composting in America, just released by U.S. PIRG: “Residents and businesses contribute more organic material to composting programs if that material is picked up ‘curbside,’ as is most trash and recycling.”

The Organics Task Force suggests two possible options for resident participation:

● Households from throughout the city -- including HOA members, apartment dwellers, and single-family home occupants -- would be eligible to register for the program. This is the task force’s preferred option, as it would allow a greater number of households to participate and offer citywide exposure to food scrap recycling. This also is the approach recommended by the Composting in America report, which states: “To promote composting, cities and towns should adopt community-wide composting programs.” ● Only households served by the current Department of Public Works collection routes would be eligible to register for the program.

Details about this Compost Crew program appear on page 37 in this report.

2. Establish a pilot food scrap drop-off program, involving three to five locations distributed throughout all sections of the city, where all residents can bring food scraps. Possible locations could include: the Public Works Recycling Yard, Roosevelt Center, Schrom Hills Park, the Farmers Market, Greenbelt Station and other housing developments, shopping centers such as Beltway Plaza and Greenway Center, or other commonly visited, convenient, and accessible locations. Each site would be equipped with large 32- gallon wheeled carts.

These drop-off locations could be serviced weekly through a contract arrangement with Compost Crew, Veterans Compost, or other similar contractor. Details on Compost Crew’s drop-off service appear on page 36 in this report.

2 3. Following this pilot and learning phase for the curbside and drop-off programs, make the curbside collection program permanent and available to all households in the city, and consider adding additional drop-off locations to establish a convenient and easily accessible network of food scrap collection sites distributed throughout the city. This could be accomplished in three possible ways:

● Enter into a municipality contract with Compost Crew through its municipal contract program to provide both curbside and drop-off collection service for the entire city. Details on Compost Crew’s Municipal Contract Program appear on page 36 in this report. ● Enter into separate contracts with Compost Crew for curbside service, and with another contractor such as Veteran Compost for drop-off collection service. This is the approach that the City of Falls Church uses, and details on its two programs appear on pages 21, 22, and 35 in this report. (Note: The Falls Church/Compost Crew curbside service contract model is available to all Metropolitan Washington Council of Government member jurisdictions, including Greenbelt, through a rider in the Falls Church contract). ● Use City of Greenbelt staff and vehicles to provide curbside collection service for the Public Works collection routes and for all drop-off stations, and enter into a contract with Compost Crew for curbside collection in sections of the city that are not part of the Public Works collection routes.

4. As part of moving toward a permanent, citywide collection program, create a budget line item in the FY21 city budget to support the curbside and drop-off programs.

5. Initiate a Pay-As-You-Throw (PAYT) or Save-As-You-Throw (SAYT) trash billing system to offset the costs of food scrap collection with a corresponding decrease in trash collection costs.

This type of system charges households directly for collection service based on the volume or weight of the trash placed at the curb. These systems are used in more than 7,000 U.S. communities and serve as a direct economic incentive for households to reduce the amount of trash set out for collection. Composting (and recycling) rates can be increased and landfill tipping fees can be reduced by transitioning to PAYT or SAYT systems and informing residents that they can save money if they divert organics from their trash to composting. (Source: Yes! In My Backyard: A Home Composting Guide for Local Government, by Brenda Platt and Colton Fagundes, Institute for Local Self-Reliance, May, 2018, p. 39).

3 More details on the benefits of PAYT or SAYT programs, including examples of two successful programs, appear on pages 91-98 in this report.

6. Continue exploration with the Four Cities Coalition, or other grouping of nearby jurisdictions, of possibilities for a pilot composting site and facility in close proximity to the partnering jurisdictions. Options may include sites and facilities that meet current county regulations or that will be permitted under the expanded definition of small-scale composting adopted in 2018 as part of the county Zoning Rewrite Ordinance. The new zoning is expected to take effect in 2020, and thus offers time for a thorough study of possibilities prior to its implementation. The new composting definition is detailed on page 46 in this report.

This nearby facility would provide a trial program that offers an alternative to longer-distance hauling to Western Branch (21 miles from the Public Works building), with reduced emissions, fuel costs, and staff time. This new operation also would provide close-by production of high-quality finished compost that can be easily returned to Greenbelt for use as a soil amendment for landscaping in public spaces and sold to residents for use in their yards.

7. Continue to support the three-bin community composting program at Springhill Lake Recreation Center, and consider installing and supporting additional new community-run systems in other parts of the city. New sites could include Schrom Hills Recreation Center and other suitable public locations. These systems would provide another option available to all residents, including those who may have difficulty paying the cost of curbside collection and those who want direct local access to compost for use in growing their own food or other personal household needs. Further information about community composting programs is provided on pages 60-81 in this report.

8. Strengthen support for backyard and home composting by expanding the current discounted bin sales program, by stepping up promotion of in-home vermicomposting kits, and by proposing legislation to City Council similar to the Home Composting Incentives Act adopted by the DC City Council in 2018. This legislation is detailed on page 45 in this report.

9. Develop a strong community outreach and education program for Greenbelt residents that touts the benefits of composting, increases awareness of the full range of composting options, and offers information and resources that stress the importance of food waste reduction and composting.

4 10. Partner with community, business, and environmental organizations and strengthen the existing partnership with the Prince George’s County Department of Environment to make outreach and education as widely accessible as possible.

11. Prioritize zero waste and waste reduction strategies in all city departments, policies, programs, activities and events to establish a consistent message that resonates throughout Greenbelt and exemplifies clearly the city’s commitment to resource conservation.

SUMMARY: The Organics Task Force believes that these recommendations, taken together, offer a vision for a distributed food scrap collection and composting network that covers the entire city and provides all Greenbelt residents with a range of options to significantly reduce food waste going to the landfill and the corresponding environmental costs associated with landfilling. These recommendations also offer potential for food waste reduction. Once residents begin separating food scraps in the waste stream, they will learn more about their food usage patterns and can then adjust their purchasing and use habits accordingly.

In addition, the development of a multi-jurisdiction composting facility in close proximity to Greenbelt that this proposal envisions offers the further promise of savings on fuel, staff time, and emissions. This new facility also would make possible the local production of a valuable end product – compost – that can easily be returned to Greenbelt as a soil amendment that benefits public spaces and residential yards and gardens.

5 Supporting Rationale for Recommendations

● Local jurisdictions can play a significant role in diverting food waste from landfills by implementing food waste collection programs. ● Greenbelt can save money on tipping fees by diverting food waste from the landfill ($45 per ton at the Western Branch composting facility compared to $59 per ton at the Brown Station Road landfill). ● The expanded definition of small-scale composting in the Zoning Rewrite Ordinance adopted by the Prince George’s County Council in 2018 offers potential to develop more localized composting infrastructure in proximity to Greenbelt, and thereby increase capacity for processing residential food waste. The revised composting definition is detailed on page 46 in this report. ● Through composting, food waste can be turned into a valuable soil amendment that can remain in the local community to enrich soil in public spaces, tree beds, community gardens, and residential yards. ● The numerous local and national models that already exist, and are highlighted in this report, offer potential application to Greenbelt’s needs. ● Climate scientists, U.S. government studies, and international panels state that the next decade is a critical time for putting significant actions in place to mitigate the worst possible effects of climate change. The 2019 United Nations Global Environment Outlook report states: “Time is running out to prevent the irreversible and dangerous impacts of climate change.” ● Food waste buried in landfills emits methane, a powerful greenhouse gas that contributes significantly to global warming. Landfills are the third-highest cause of methane emissions resulting from human activity in the nation. (EPA.Gov/US Greenhouse Gas Emissions, p. ES-16), (Environmental and Energy Study Institute), (What's Your Impact.Org/Greenhouse Gases) ● Each ton of waste recycled saves 2.87 metric tons of CO2, according to EPA's Clean Energy website. (PG Zero Waste Initiatives, p. 43, footnote 4 for Table 13) ● Food waste has been defined by the U.S. government as a critical environmental and food sustainability issue. The Economic Research Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) estimates a rate of 31 percent food loss at the retail and consumer levels. In partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), USDA has launched the U.S. Food Loss

6 and Waste 2030 Champion program, through which businesses and organizations publicly commit to reduce food loss and waste in their own operations in the United States by 50 percent by the year 2030. (USDA.Gov/Foodwaste/FAQs) ● A Waste Characterization Study (WCS) conducted by the Prince George’s County Department of the Environment (DoE) in 2014-2015 found that 48,000 tons of food waste were deposited at the county landfill, comprising 54.9 per cent of compostable materials that were landfilled, and 15.8 per cent of all materials landfilled. Of the 48,000 tons of food waste, 35,000 tons (72.9 per cent) came from the residential sector. (PG Waste Characterization Study, p. 32) ● Food waste comprised 17.1 per cent of all residential waste landfilled. (PG Waste Characterization Study, p. 10) ● The 2018 report, “Zero Waste Initiatives for Prince George’s County, Maryland,” from the Prince George’s County Department of the Environment (DoE), includes a recommendation to “target organics for diversion” as a strategy. The report states that “the organic fraction of the waste stream represents a significant opportunity to increase diversion and achieve zero waste.” (PG Zero Waste Initiatives, p. 34) ● Using EPA’s Waste Reduction Model (WARM), the Zero Waste Initiatives report calculated that 44,700 metric tons of carbon equivalents (MTCE) would be reduced by recycling vegetative and non-vegetative (meat and dairy) food waste currently disposed at the landfill (according to quantities estimated from the Waste Characterization Study). (PG Zero Waste Initiatives, p. 4) ● Increasing food waste diversion is listed as Goal 2 in the 2018 Prince George’s County Draft Resource Recovery Master Plan. The plan recommends expansion of residential food waste collection. (PG Resource Recovery Master Plan, p.38) ● The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) established zero waste goals as part of its legislatively mandated Green House Gas Reduction Plan. These goals are to strive to achieve long-term recycling and waste diversion rates of 80% and 85%, respectively, by 2040. (PG Zero Waste Initiatives, p. 4) ● The recently released report on food waste in Prince George’s County (April, 2019), prepared by the Prince George’s County Planning Department, recommended establishing “a comprehensive composting program that includes all levels of composting” (p. 11), and reported significant interest in taking action to reduce food waste among County residents and businesses (p. 7, 9, and 65). (Reduce, Recover, Recycle: Food Waste in Prince George's County)