Connecting more than half a million students and families to the wonders of nature since 1954.
The Alice Ferguson Foundation operates three core programs:
Each year, thousands of children from the Washington, DC metropolitan area experience environmental and agricultural hands-on learning through field studies at the Foundation's 330-acre Hard Bargain Farm. As 45% of these students are from underserved, at-risk communities, this is often their first nature experience. This initial encounte
r with nature profoundly affects students as well as the impact they can have on our environment and natural resources. "Green shock" is the astonished look on a child's face when he or she touches a real live cow or chicken for the first time. Within hours, that look softens into appreciation, wonder, and excitement! In partnership with the National Park Service and area schools, our Bridging The Watershed program provides personally meaningful, educational experiences that connect students to their role in the natural and cultural world. Each year, thousands of students from the Washington, DC region visit local national parks with their science classes as part of this program. These trips provide an authentic experience for students that allow them to take measurements and make field observations-just like a scientist. Since 1989, more than 90,000 volunteers have teamed with 400 partner organizations to haul more than 3 million tons of trash from the watershed during the Annual Potomac River Watershed Cleanup. The success of the Cleanup led to the creation of the Trash Free Potomac Watershed Initiative in 2005. The Trash Free Potomac Watershed Initiative focuses on trash disposal and provides a forum for active citizenship-catalyzing a diverse network of citizens, businesses, and elected officials to achieve the Initiative's objectives.
Can you believe 2020 was three years ago? Nope, neither can we! 🤯
During that unprecedented time, our Farm Manager and resident Bird Enthusiast, Bill Townsend, was (& still is) spending most of his time outside in nature and observing all the birds he could.
On this , we're looking back at Bill's "Birding on the Boardwalk" blog. Check it out: fergusonfoundation.org/news-stories/birding-on-the-birdwalk/
✨ FOR TEACHERS ✨
Bridging The Watershed programs are now open for scheduling! This spring, in-person field studies are available at seven national parks throughout the region. Act fast; dates are limited.
Can't schedule an in-person field study? We have virtual Bridging the Watershed options available too!
Visit our website to schedule a program today! Remember to select the checkbox for Bridging The Watershed: Science in the Parks. Hurry, space is limited!
ADVENTURE STARTS HERE: fergusonfoundation.org/schedule-your-program/
Together, we can share the wonders of science and nature with students.
(Please note: Interested teachers must have successfully completed at least one summer teacher/ranger institute or a workshop in one or more of the Bridging the Watershed curriculum modules to request a free field study through this program.)
Trivia Question #2 - In what year was AFF's founded?
A. 1968
B. 1976
C. 1989
D. 2015
Let us know what you think in the comments!
We're celebrating with trivia questions about AFF! To get us started...In what year was the Alice Ferguson Foundation established?
A. 1922
B. 1954
C. 1966
D. 1989
Let us know your answer in the comments!
From all of us at the Alice Ferguson Foundation, we wish you and your family a new year filled with joy and good fortune. We look forward to seeing you in 2023!
#2023
Last but certainly not least on our Best of 2022 moments is the return of Charles County Public Schools third-graders to Hard Bargain Farm! Students spend the day observing the wetlands through binoculars, searching for worms in the soil, taking a nature hike and MUCH MORE.
We are counting the days until the rest of the third-grade classes visit us this spring!
A recent celebration is undoubtedly on our Best of 2022 list. Just a few weeks ago, we cut the ribbon to unveil the Shirley and Frank Nicolai Education Pavilion, which will serve as a gathering place for visiting students and community members for years to come.
Read all about the ribbon-cutting ceremony here: fergusonfoundation.org/news-stories/ribbon-cutting-ceremony-unveils-new-education-pavilion-in-prince-georges-county/
Learn about our pavilion namesakes on our blog: fergusonfoundation.org/news-stories/member-moment-shirley-and-frank-nicolai/
Watch the ceremony in its entirety here: youtu.be/lY4UiLQoIhU
Today's Best of 2022 moment is from our Celebrate Science day with students from Kenmoor Middle School. Through hands-on activities like the trash timeline or using renewable energy devices, students learned about sustainability and the impact trash has on our environment.
We are looking forward to more days to Celebrate Science in 2023. We'll be announcing details for teachers soon!
As we wrap up this year, we are excited to share with you the impact we made through our environmental education programs, cleanups, and community events. It is because of your generous support that makes our work possible, and we are incredibly grateful.
With your help, we were able to...
- Serve 6,487 students through our environmental education programs
- Host 430 children and community members through summer camps and onsite weekend events
- Deliver professional development workshops to 193 teachers
- Reach 1,000+ community members through our Potomac River Watershed Cleanup initiative
- Cut the ribbon to unveil the brand new Shirley and Frank Nicolai Education Pavilion!
In the new year, we look forward to expanding our environmental education programming, including a return to overnight stays and an expansion of our summer camp program. But we can't do it alone. Will you be a piece of our puzzle in 2023? Donate today: fergusonfoundation.kindful.com/?campaign=245009
#2022
Next up on our Best of 2022 list is our Summer Adventure Camp! 😎 During camp, kids looked for critters in the wetlands and Potomac River, explored what was growing in the Children's Garden, created nature-inspired artistic masterpieces, and MUCH MORE.
We are so excited about our summer camps coming in 2023. Stay tuned for details!
We love this! 👏🏼
The Southern Maryland National Heritage Area Act was included in the recently passed year-end government spending bill and will be signed into law by President Biden. This designation recognizes the unique significance of Southern Maryland to the nation’s history.
Read more about the impact of this designation by clicking https://destinationsouthernmaryland.com/southern-maryland-national-heritage-act-passed-in-congress/
With five days left in 2022, we're looking back at our "Best of" moments from the year (in no particular order). First up, the 34th Annual Potomac Cleanup, held this past April.
Many thanks to our site leaders and volunteers throughout the watershed who help us keep our waterways and communities clean and safe.
Photo: Volunteers from MGM National Harbor pickup trash along the shoreline of Piscataway Park, our flagship cleanup site.
Happy Holidays from all of us at the Alice Ferguson Foundation! We hope this holiday season brings you many great memories and wonderful reasons to smile.
with Alice and her pup Caligula.
Today, we celebrate the birthday of our namesake, Alice L.L. Ferguson. If it weren't for her purchase of Hard Bargain Farm 100 YEARS AGO, our Foundation wouldn't be what it is today. Our beautiful property is filled with her creative touches as we welcome children and the community to discover nature, the arts, and the cultural heritage of Southern Maryland.
Let's be zero-waste this holiday season. Keep these tips in mind as you shop and prepare those delicious dishes.
Join our member community! With five tiers with exclusive perks, branded merch, and more opportunities to visit Hard Bargain Farm, there’s something for everyone. When you become a member today, you help us continue nearly 70 years of environmental education and stewardship of the Potomac River watershed's natural and cultural heritage.
Check out our membership program to find the best option for you: fergusonfoundation.org/ways-to-give/become-a-member/
Thanks for joining us at this momentous event Southern Maryland News!
The Alice Ferguson Foundation held a ribbon cutting on Dec. 16 to celebrate the opening of its education pavilion at the Potomac Watershed Study Center.
Goodbye fall, hello winter. Happy Winter Solstice, friends!
Did you hear the exciting news? Our new education pavilion has been dedicated to honor the many years of service and commitment Shirley and Frank Nicolai have given to the Foundation. Get to know the Nicolai's, our wonderful members and Board Emeriti, in this month's Member Moment spotlight.
We’re excited to continue our monthly Member Moment, featuring the wonderful members of the Alice Ferguson Foundation. Members and Board Emeriti, Shirley and Frank Nicolai, are familiar faces around the […]
Earlier this month, we hosted two natural wreath workshops, including one for our friends from Department of Parks and Recreation Pr. Geo. County. During both workshops, attendees helped remove some bittersweet vine invasives and transformed them into beautiful wreaths! Take a look! 🤩
Many thanks to all who joined us for Fun on the Farm this fall. Stay tuned for the announcement of our Spring 2023 Fun on the Farm events!
Earlier today, the ribbon was officially cut on the brand-new Shirley and Frank Nicolai Education Pavilion. The completion of the Pavilion marks the conclusion of our Potomac Watershed Study Complex capital improvement project. We look forward to sharing this beautiful new space with students and community members for years to come.
Those in attendance today include
- Hon. Delegate Kris Valderrama, Maryland House of Representatives
- Andrea Crooms, Director of the Department of the Environment, Prince Georges County Government e-Community
- Eric Bowman, Chief of Staff for District 9 Council Member Sydney J. Harrison
- Dr. Monica Goldson, Chief Executive Officer, Prince George's County Public Schools
- Commissioner Thomasina Coates, Board of Charles County Commissioners
- Theresa Cullen, Executive Director, Alice Ferguson Foundation
- Stephen Kim, Board President, Alice Ferguson Foundation
- Shirley and Frank Nicolai, Major Donors
- Representatives of the Pavilion Construction Team from Scheibel Construction
- Current and Former Board and Staff Members of the Alice Ferguson Foundation
Many thanks to all who've had a hand in this incredible project and to all of our supporters who joined us today to celebrate! We appreciate you!
Join us for our Pavilion Ribbon Cutting. This milestone event marks the completion of our Potomac Watershed Study Complex capital improvement project.
This holiday season, say no to traditional wrapping paper and try these zero-waste gift wrap ideas instead. Happy wrapping!
We're missing an important 🧩 piece. Can we count on you to help connect even more children to science and the natural world through our environmental education programs?
Each gift of $60 or more, earns you an entry in a giveaway to win a custom puzzle featuring art from Alice Ferguson herself.
Be A Piece Of Our Puzzle: fergusonfoundation.kindful.com/?campaign=245009
Giveaway Rules - ALL DONORS OVER $60 ELIGIBLE. Only one entry per household. Five winners will be drawn at random at the 69th Annual Member Meeting on January 22, 2023. Prizes will be shipped to winners unable to attend in person.
Calling all Teachers!
Are you looking for a fun field trip this spring? We have some dates open on our calendar. Learn more about our programs and schedule your visit: fergusonfoundation.org/our-programs/
Hope to see you and your students at the Farm soon!
Our environmental educators are our greatest asset in providing ‘ah-ha’ moments for students, where science and stewardship ‘come alive’ in the natural world through our hands-on programs. Get to know Pat in our employee spotlight series:
Our environmental educators are our greatest asset in providing ‘ah-ha’ moments for students, where science and stewardship ‘come alive’ in the natural world through our hands-on programs. Get to know […]
Nature has been and always will be the best playground. 🥾
Photo by Augie Selckmann
It's the most wonderful time of year...to be trash free! As you buy gifts for family and friends this holiday season, consider these alternative low-waste gift ideas instead.
🎁 Memorable Experiences - Tickets to a show or a trip to a special place. 🎟️
🎁 A donation in honor of your loved ones - We know the perfect Foundation. 😉
🎁 Products made from reused or recycled materials - Time to get creative! Make a reusable tote bag with leftover fabric or a birdhouse using wood scraps. If DIY projects aren't your thing take a trip to the thrift to find something once loved and can be reused, or check out these unique eco-friendly products by Rolling Stone Magazine - http://ow.ly/obLJ50LY4rU
Happy gifting!
What a year it has been! The generous support from our donors and friends has allowed us to continue to educate 10,000 students from Maryland, Virginia, and DC about sustainability, their environment and local watershed. It has allowed us to train over 100 teachers in environmental education practices. And it strengthened our efforts to pick up thousands of pounds of trash from the Potomac River with the help of 1,000 volunteers.
Your contributions help piece together the funding puzzle that enables us to bring more life-changing experiences in nature to all children. Each gift of $60 or more, earns you an entry in a giveaway to win a custom puzzle featuring art from Alice Ferguson herself, as pictured below. Complete the puzzle and donate today to help connect even more children to our environmental education programs.
BE A PIECE OF OUR PUZZLE: fergusonfoundation.kindful.com/?campaign=245009
Giveaway Rules: ALL DONORS OVER $60 ELIGIBLE. Only one entry per household. Five winners will be drawn at random at the 69th Annual Member Meeting on January 22, 2023. Prizes will be shipped to winners unable to attend in person.
‼️ We're Hiring ‼️
The search is on for a Grants Coordinator and Environmental Educators to join our team at the Alice Ferguson Foundation. If you have a love for the environment and value learning in nature, we'd love to hear from you!
Learn more and apply at fergusonfoundation.org/jobs
Running into the weekend like...🏃♂️🏃♀️ Happy Friday, friends!
Did you know the macroinvertebrates found in our local streams and rivers can tell you a lot about the waterway's health?
During our Water Canaries module, students collect macroinvertebrates from streams with nets to classify and identify them. By using macroinvertebrates as water quality indicators, students gain firsthand knowledge of how to determine stream health. With this knowledge, students can further investigate issues associated with water quality and pursue service projects like joining a local stream monitoring group to examine the health of streams in their own community.
The young explorers featured in these photos are from Green Acres School during their field trip last spring.
NEW ON THE BLOG: Aggie Morris, Development Coordinator, took a closer look at one of Alice Ferguson's most popular art pieces. Check out her interpretation of Alice's "A Day at the Farm" painting!
Written by Aggie Morris, Development Coordinator Among all of Alice Ferguson’s paintings, one of the most popular and perhaps the most playful is, “A Day at the Farm.” Painted in […]
We have so much to be grateful for, all thanks to you! Your support allows us to continue our work educating students and teachers about sustainability, their environment and local watershed, as well as strengthen our efforts to pick up thousands of pounds of trash from the Potomac River each year.
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your support of the Alice Ferguson Foundation! Take a look at the impact you make on thousands of students and teachers each year. 💛
Drum roll, please...🥁
Introducing our turkey, Lady Gobbles of Hard Bargain Farm! 🤩
The original name submission was Sir Gobbles of Hard Bargain Farm III, but we recently learned that our turkey is a female so Lady Gobbles it is.
Thanks for helping us choose the name of our new farm friend. And thank you again for our classes from Mount Daniel School and St. Raphael School, Rockville, MD for submitting name suggestions. The winning name suggestion came from Ms. Kelly's 7th Grade class!
2001 Bryan Point Road
Accokeek, MD
20607
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It's National Pumpkin Day! 🎃 To celebrate, we were hoping to get some carving help from our feathery friends. We started with a light carving and the intention was they would finish it by pecking in those spots but they weren't having it with our shenanigans. Take a look at this time-lapse to see our chickens NOT take part in the pumpkin carving fun. 🤣 Show us your awesome pumpkin carvings in the comments! ⬇️
Running into our 68th birthday like...🏃♀️🏃♂️🏃♀️🏃♂️ Can you believe we have been sharing the magic of the great outdoors with thousands of students and community members for 68 years? Time flies when you're having fun! 🥳
Happy National Nonprofit Day! Over half of contributions made to Nonprofits come from Individual Donors. Thank you for all that you do to help preserve environmental education by the Potomac! 🌱🌊 Please consider a donation to our Wheels Campaign in support of keeping AFF vehicles rollin' such as this tractor! 🚜 Link to donate: https://fergusonfoundation.kindful.com/?campaign=1169252 #wheelscampaign #keepusrollin #environmentaleducation #NationalNonprofitDay #AFF #HardBargainFarm
We are saddened to share the passing of our dairy cow, Annie. For more than a decade she helped us educate thousands of students and community members about the milking process and life on the farm. And since her official retirement in 2019, she had been soaking up the sun and enjoying the pasture life with her best farm friends. Take a look at the lives Annie touched over her years at Hard Bargain Farm and feel free to share your memories of her with us too!
Another day, another special thank you for your generous support this year. Our work in environmental education and cleanup initiative is made possible because of YOU! 💖 fergusonfoundation.kindful.com/?campaign=1152802
Because of your generosity we were able to support more than 232 cleanups this past spring. We appreciate you! Will you join us this April for the 34th Annual Potomac River Watershed Cleanup? We hope so!
We are dedicating this #ThankfulTuesday to celebrating you! Tune in for a special thank you message from Theresa Cullen, Executive Director. Your generosity makes it possible to provide innovative, hands-on learning experiences to more than 10,000 students and teachers, support 300+ cleanups across the region with trainings and resources, and maintain the beautiful 330-acres of our Hard Bargain Farm. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you. fergusonfoundation.kindful.com/?campaign=1152802
Hope you had a wonderful Monday! Our goats have a very special message for you!
Grimes Family Farm-Waldorf Farmers Market
Bensville Road, Waldorf
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