Lending Hands at Green Gulch Farms

Suzi, I, and Betty (thank you!) worked at Green Gulch Farms Friday to lend our hands. We started off in the thick of leftover food and horse manure - what a great way to start the day!! We rediscovered that composting is truly an art. The beautiful, rich soil that is created from all these leftovers proves how amazing nature is. This was our recipe for compost cake.
Layer 1: horse manure
Layer 2: leftovers from Greens Restaurant and who know where else - YUM! (See pictures)
Layer 3: a light covering of greens
Layer 4: a spinkle of mulch
Repeat!


Next, we were off to the kitchen garden for a much more mellow task of harvesting the most delicious parsley and some chives. This coming week we are off to Occidental Arts and Ecology Center to participate in their garden teacher training program. Ye Haw! More on that soon...

Rebecca

Updates & Happenings

Hey Y'all...

Well, I hardly know what to say about all of this lovely weather we have had over the past week or so! I hope that everyone has been taking full advantage of the blue skies and big sunshine keeping our bodies warm and lives playful. As the summer sun is heating up the earth, we are gearing up for some super-fun summer projects that we want to share with you. We look forward to seeing you somewhere along the way and don't hesitate to get in touch with us for questions, concerns, or just some good ole' garden talk.

Looking forward to bumping into each of your sweet, smiling faces!!!

love and happy gardening,
suzi

SUZI & REBECCA'S SUMMER SCHEDULE
(days and times you will be sure to find us getting our hands dirty in the garden!!)
Tuesdays: 1pm to 5:30pm
Fridays: 9am to 12pm
2nd Saturdays 11am to 2pm

Let Us Grow! Summer Program
7/10-7/21, 10am to 2pm
(gardening, arts & crafts, cooking, field trips, and learning about community for
youth ages 8 to 13)

Seed to Mouth Cooking Classes!!!
Wednesday Evenings(beginning July 5th for 5 weeks),
5:30 to 7pm (ish) for children and families!
Location: Hayes Valley South Community Room
Please contact Rebecca or myself for more information about any or all of these happenings!!

suzi.palladino@gmail.com,
rabozzelli@yahoo.com

South Central Farmers Lose Country's Largest Community Garden

Over the past several months, I have taken much interest in this South Central, LA urban farm and the triumphs that a diverse group of environmentally and socially conscious people have been awarded through their dedication and committment to saving this farm. Despite widespread resistance, last week a bulldozer barrelled through the fence and began plowing through people and the land of the country's largest community garden!! Protests were in full force, voices were shouting out, people were arrested, but most importantly a communal space and vision shared by folks of an already disenfranschised community was uprooted by LA Real Estate developers. The farmers and other demonstrators were able to suspend the demolition for over seven hours through a treesit, lockdowns, and blockades. Although the deconstruction has begun, the fight is not over for these farmers and community activists ready to stand up for what is just, what is humane and what is needed to keep this community healthy and viable! Please check out the links below to find out more about action being taken and ways we, as San Francisco community gardners, can support!

peace & love,
suzi


Organic Consumers Association

Los Angeles Indymedia Center

Community Food Security Coalition

Salad
Tastes
Good!


Yesterday marked the end of the school year for San Francisco Public Schools and Suzi and I held salad parties with the students to celebrate. The students harvested the lettuce, cleaned it up in the salad spinner, made salad dressing and then gobbled it UP. They couldn't get enough, especially the calendula flower petals. We even have a special John Muir honey-mustard salad dressing (frequently mis-called sauce). Well Done John Muir students!!

Even more excting and comming soon.........THIS JULY will commence Cooking in the community. Six cooking classes will be held throughout the Hayes Valley and Western Addition communities, starting in July. We'll pick veggies from the garden and invite the community to help us prepare healthy meals. As a bonus, they'll be able to take home fresh veggies and the recipes we prepared from that class. Check back soon for more scrumptious details....

Rebecca