deborah dramby

If left alone, invasive plants take over our woodlands, strangling valuable trees and threatening important diversity. Open grasslands and neighborhood backyards become overrun, creating a loss in farming productivity, habitat for birds and other wildlife, and enjoyment of outdoor space. Enter Targeted-Grazing Goats! When it comes to clearing unwanted vegetation, goats can provide an ideal alternative to machines and herbicides. They graze in places that mowers can't reach and humans don't want to go (yes, they love Poison Ivy). In fact, goats eat a wide range of unwanted vegetation, which on the East Coast include Kudzu, Oriental Bittersweet, Ailanthus, Multiflora Rose, Japanese Honeysuckle, Mile-A-Minute and more. My herd of 21 (and growing) is based in Bluemont, VA, where we also breed ADGA registered dairy goats over the winters. Before starting 56 Hooves, I worked under Brian Knox of Eco-Goats and my herd spent winters at Willowsford Farm.

Contributed to the Writers Guild of America East Foundation fellowship project, Telling Our Stories: The Days of The Baltimore Sun. The project consisted of writing an essay, editing pieces, and working on the website that aims to capture stories of Sun employees following one of Tribune's sweeping lay-off periods in the spring of 2009. The website can be viewed here and my essay here.

While obtaining an education and certificate in Sustainable Agriculture at the University, I write assigned and original articles for the department newsletter, Institute Items, website and bi-annual alumni newsletter.

Special to The Sun"

Provided Advertising Sales Representatives with relevant research - in a language that advertisers and readers could easily comprehend - about the Baltimore Market. Worked with a number of resources including but not limited to: Scarborough, Claritas, comScore, Tacoda, Omniture, Neilson Net Ratings, Audit Bureau of Circulation, Census. Worked with high-grossing national advertisers in the business of telecomm, finance, travel, health, education, and automotive.

The Public Health Garden at the University of Maryland, College Park, is a student teaching and community garden demonstrating sustainable agriculture and environmental best practices in support of public, environmental and community health. We are a student group working closely with several departments on campus including but not limited to the Office of Sustainability, the School of Public Health, the Landscape Architecture Department, Facilities Management and the Institute of Applied Agriculture as well as community affiliates such as Eco-Goats and local nurseries and garden clubs. This summer I will be working closely with the project founders and our advisors regarding plant selection and propagation, crop rotation and integrated pest management. I will remain active as a Contributing Blogger, Photographer, and partner in learning!

Just Saying' was an award winning blog and one-stop-shop for Maryland's eco-curious to accompany one another as we sorted through green news, learned the history and future of food and agriculture, worked towards sustainability, and reflected on fun encounters in life and nature. We worked to reduce not only our carbon footprints, but the footprints of our readers - one carefully considered step at a time. In June 2012, Just Saying migrated to the Organic Matters news feed of www.Compost2theMoon.com. The Compost to the Moon website resulted from the blerge (blog+merge) of two lifelong-learners seeking to better understand how to improve their careers and lives through knowledge, community, and continuously growing plants, animals, and ourselves.

The vision for Willowsford is based on a premise of Inspired Living that establishes connections for its residents and enriches their quality of life on a variety of levels. Willowsford draws on Virginia's landscape and rich farming traditions to create a community defined by natural open spaces, community supported agriculture, and activities that encourage a renewed appreciation of the environment and land stewardship.

Activities and Societies: Institute of Applied Agriculture, Public Health Garden,