Kampe Foundation

2011-04-21T07:50:00.000-07:00

Its' been busy at the K-8 this week! We have moved over a ton and a half of landscaping bricks, and soil to complete the installation of HK8's first on-campus raised garden bed. Thank you to Mrs. Bear and Mrs. Molacek for your dedication to garden based learning! This project would not happen without your interest. I have learned that these partnerships are the keystone to the success of a school garden project. A from quote a 7th grade boy while moving soil yesterday, "I just really like gardening, I don't know why, but I do."

I am glad (to put it mildly) that he feels the value of this project.

Another thank you to Mark, Courtney, Niki and Margaret for lending a hand.

Tomato Seeding 2011!

2011-04-08T15:29:00.000-07:00

This is our fourth year working with the Hotchkiss K8 1st grade classes. This year we seeded something a little different. We used some of the seeds that kids saved last fall and also some paste varieties (Amish and San Marzano). This season the plants will be rooted in the Sauce Plot, and the fruit will be grown and processed by kids for Kids' Pasta Project community fund raising dinners.

Another project we are starting at Thistle Whistle Farm is a partnership with the Family Literacy Program in Delta. We do not have a name for this one yet, but our objective is introduce and educate 30 families on nutrition, and better eating habits with farm fresh produce.

Stay tuned...

Surface Creek Vision

2011-04-08T15:16:00.000-07:00

Last week we hosted Surface Creek Vision School over at Zephyros Farm.

It was a beautiful spring day, and the children got to experience a spring time rite of passage. There were a record number of lambs born that morning- 16 of them! Both parents and children learned a lot and asked many questions. As everyone departed for the afternoon, one young man announced that he wanted to come back soon. I hope they do!

Future HHS Garden Club

2011-04-04T11:00:00.000-07:00

"This is delicious, try it!"

"Can we do this more often, this is fun."

"I am so proud!"

"Can we start a flower garden?"

Just some of the chatter I heard today in Biodome as we harvested the first of the spring greens. 14 HHS freshmen seeded out more lettuce, trellised the sweet peas, and harvested over a pound of greens for their cafeteria.

This is the future Hotchkiss High School Garden Club!

spring seeding

2011-04-01T09:33:00.000-07:00

This week the HK8 Life Skills class did some seeding for their annual plant sale. After we hauled the soil, and filled the flats, the students seeded out three different varieties for tomatoes; a cherry, a paste and a salad type. We also seeded basil, chives (a little late), and parsley. We talked about the importance of soil temperature and seed planting depth. The kids were challenged by working with the small seed, but established their our techniques by the end of the hour.

Last week we transplanted two varieties of mint, and iris.

Thank you Zephyros and Thistle Whistle for donating the mother plants!

It's March!

2011-03-07T08:46:00.000-08:00

February is way too short.

We met with the HK8 students twice this week- a great way to start the month. Last June the Kampe Foundation awarded the Life Skills class a grant to fix up their school greenhouse, build a raised bed, and develop farm/growing-based lessons. On Monday I joined the kids to meet about our spring seeding schedule. We learned how to read the seed catalogs, and selected the crops that would best suit the growing projects that we're going to take on this spring. They are planning two plants sales in early May, and the construction of a raised bed near their classroom. The seeds should arrive some time this week!

On Friday we had a lesson in composting. The objective being to explain the difference between biodegradable and non-biodegradable items. The students assembled three 'compost bags', all containing different ratios of matter. We'll check in with the bags at the end of the month to see (and smell) how they have progressed and theorize which bag had the correct ratios for a fit compost heap!

Happy March!

Biodome 2011

2011-02-27T15:19:00.000-08:00

First post of the year!

Finally some planting in the biodome after months of inactivity. Last week, Adam and I cleared out the largest spent broccoli plants that I've ever seen from the raised beds. They had been growing and flowering all summer, unchecked, while the kids were out. Honestly, their stem girth was nearing 3 inches.

HUGE.

On Friday the Junior National Honor Society students, all freshmen, came in to do some planting. After a brief meeting last week, the students asked their cafeteria managers (aka: Lunch Ladies) what could be used in the kitchen for lunches. So this spring the kids will be growing carrots, peas and many varieties for lettuce for the school salads. Every day the kids will rotate through on their watering and weeding schedule. Next month they should be cutting their first harvest of lettuce, they'll have to wait a few more weeks for the peas and carrots. The seeds, soil and tools were furnished through the Kids on Farms project.

2010-11-22T15:23:00.000-08:00

November 3rd- The Life Skills class made it out to Austin Family Farm near Paonia.

November 10th- The trip to Fresh and Wyld was cancelled... classroom behavior issues!

The students started their winter growing project (paper whites for the holidays) and it looks great. They are working on how to grow, sell and market their plants.

Last Wednesday we had a fabulous tour of Big B's cider mill. The students were prepared with questions for the business owner about materials, cost, and production. We spent about an hour walking through the facility and taking in a lot of information about the fresh cider business. We got to see the press and the bottling line.

The kids really liked Jeff's enthusiasm for his business... and the juice that they got to take home!

Thanks Big B's!

Round Earth

2010-10-27T14:29:00.000-07:00

Today eight students from the Life Skills program visited Round Earth Farm. Sunny and about 45 degrees, it was a beautiful day to be on farm. Adam gave us a tour of his operation amongst the 80 year old apple trees. The students were able to observe the frost damage from the night before (temps dropped into the teens!), check out the farm's 1949 Allis Chalmers, and the new small fruit grant project.

Before we left, we helped out with a quick mulch project. Round Earth will keep their costumers in beets well into the winter. We learned (and practiced) the why, what, how of mulching.

A Visit From the Kindergartners

2010-10-25T12:22:00.000-07:00

Last Wednesday 26 kindergartners from the North Fork Community Montessori School came out to Zephyros. The weather could not have better. In years past we've been forced into the greenhouses for shelter or into the house for warm coco... but not this year! It was a brisk 60 (ha) that morning and by the afternoon we were in tee-shirts. The winter crops looked brilliant in the low autumn light, children walking up the rows. The days activities included: bean picking and tasting, giant carrot pulling, goat feeding and milking, and potato digging. After snack we had another chance to run around with a fun farm scavenger hunt in the north field.

It was great to see all of the parent involvement, and cooperation with carpooling.

Goodbye Tomatoes of 2010

2010-10-25T12:11:00.000-07:00

On October 20, seven brave 7th and 8th graders (and their chaperones) demolished 100s of tomato plants. We thanked the plants for their unwavering (although so-to-start) production that lasted late into the year. The students learned about "putting the garden to rest" and the importance of field maintenance. And we dug some more potatoes...

Time for a taste!

2010-10-25T11:29:00.000-07:00

On October 6th Mark and I went to the K8 for another round of seed saving with the 1st graders (our 4th generation) and brought some tomatoes for tasting for the 2nd graders.

The 1st graders got a quick and dirty lesson on saving tomato seed. They all had tomato-y hands, and were looking forward to watching (and smelling) the seeds rot in mixture of water and seed in the gallon jars that we brought. We came back after fall break, about 10 days later, to wash and dry the seeds. We will be back in April with soil, pots and water for the next turn in the cycle.

The 2nd graders enjoyed a colorful treat on the lawn (It's been a fabulous Indian Summer in western Colorado). The students were encouraged to observe the differences between the tomatoes that came right off of the farm, and the ones that they see in the store. They noticed, size, shape, color, and aroma. One tomato was the size and color of a small pumpkin, and it was suggested that we carve it. We did, and enjoyed every bite!

Potatoes at Zephyros!

2010-10-07T09:48:00.000-07:00

Nearly 150 pounds of them-- in three different varieties!

The Hotchkiss K8 Life Skills class made it out to Zephyros Farm and Garden for a visit this fall. We learned about potatoes, sampled some late season nectarines right off of the tree and made friends with some lambs in the orchard.

We also harvested some tomatoes before the students had to jump back in the van to catch the bus home! The diverse variety of heirloom tomatoes were a hit!

A picture

2010-10-04T17:02:00.001-07:00

The Sauce Plot

2010-10-04T16:20:00.000-07:00

This idea was hatched last May-- To partner with Thistle Whistle Farm and the Kids' Pasta Project to create a learning garden and grow 100s of pounds of tomatoes for the Kids' Pasta Project dinners. It was a win-win-win situation.

Thistle Whistle fulfilled a goal to bring more of the community to the farm.

KPP would be able to use local, organic foods for their dinners.

I would achieve the goal of hosting a summer program gardening with kids!

We did a lot in our 14 sessions: we designed, seeded, transplanted, trellised, weeded, composted, collected eggs, harvested honey, studied basic plant biology, laughed, got sunburns, irrigated, and a lot more. I will post a series of photo from throughout the season.

Now it's time reflect and plan for next season!

Summer 2010 Update

2010-10-04T15:53:00.000-07:00

It's hard to believe that its been 4 months since my last post. Not that there has been a lack of things happening... the blog just took a back seat. Here's a quick update of season highlights!

We hosted a 14 session summer garden 'camp' at Thistle Whistle Farm.

Placed in the 4th of July Parade in Paonia.

Grew several hundred pounds of tomatoes... among other things.

Partnered with WCFAC to bring the North Fork elementary schools local food (and lessons) to their cafeterias.

Then there was Harvest Festival...

Montessori biodome salad party 2010

2010-05-30T16:06:00.000-07:00

May 18 was the last day we'll see the Montessori kids in the Biodome this spring.

We celebrated by eating all of the experiments!

The students selected and harvested herbs for dressing, and leaves and radishes for the main course. The snap peas were still a little too small to harvest. But everything was delicious!

2010-05-30T15:58:00.000-07:00

Hotchkiss K8 1st graders finished up the school year with a trip to Thistle Whistle Farm. They got to plant the tomatoes that they saved seed for last fall, visit with the goats and chickens and paint some decorative rocks for their gardens at home. We had a beautiful day! Thank you Mark, Katie, Kelly and Lizzy for lending a hand!

Paonia High School- May 13

2010-05-30T15:44:00.000-07:00

Ms. Molitar's Class visited Thistle Whistle Farm two weeks ago. Highlights included egg hunting, a lesson in goat milking and what looks like some kind of ceremony with hooded participants. The photo is of the students gathered around Mark as he reveals the mysteries of organic bee keeping. The kids are trying to discourage bees from getting tangled in their hair. It worked. No one was stung or even remotely harassed, and now we all have a deeper appreciation for honey and the work that goes into it.

Garnet Mesa Spring 2010

2010-05-30T15:30:00.000-07:00

'Garnet Mesa Days' are the biggest field trip days of the season. There are about 100 kindergartners, 2 farms, 10 different education stations, 20 chaperones and 10-15 lovely community volunteers. This spring we returned to Lamborn and Zephyros Farms to take part in some spring-time activities.

We:

Brushed wool

Visited with mini-goats

Transplanted broccoli

Acted like honey bees

Held earth worms

Tried green smoothies

Harvested wild edibles

Planted beans

Played 'roots-stems-leaves'

Made personal germination chambers

Pet lambs

I do not know how teachers do it, day in and out. Those kid are wild! Or am I getting old?

THANK YOU TO THE FARMERS AND VOLUNTEERS FOR YOUR TIME & ENTHUSIASM!

Updates!

2010-05-30T15:18:00.000-07:00

This is rather embarrassing, it's been a month since my last post (I know ya'll have been waiting at the edge of your seats for these posts!)! Anyway, The Kids on Farms Project has been whirring along through the month of May with a total of 238 student visits on three different farms just this month. That is a record for us.

In the wind at Zephyros

2010-04-29T15:55:00.000-07:00

Despite the wind yesterday, the Hotchkiss K-8 Life Skills class had a great field trip at Zephyros Farm and Garden. There was a consistent wind of 25-30mph, with gusts up to 45 mph. After the students arrived, we found a small pocket out of the wind to enjoy lunch and introduce the farm. While Daphne gathered project material, I led the students around the farm to further introduce the sheep, goats, irrigation pond and aaaaalllll of the flower and vegetable crops, greenhouses, high tunnels, orchard, nursery, and new small fruit operation. These folks are BUSY!

While we were at the farm we helped out a little in the propagation greenhouse. There's an unwritten rule- while you're at the farm, you've got to lend a hand! So we stopped at the prop house for a while. We mixed soil, filled pots, seeded out some cucurbits, transplanted some eggplants, and dispersed lacewing eggs as a part of Zephyros IPM (Integrated Pest Management) regime. The students (and teachers) enjoyed getting their hands dirty and learning a little about life on a farm.

We hope to have this group of kids out again, as they seemed to really enjoy the afternoon- despite the wind.

Harvest in the Biodome

2010-04-29T15:36:00.000-07:00

Last Tuesday was our first harvest day in the Biodome. Several montessori students harvested their greens for the Hotchkiss High School National Honor Society induction ceremony. The ceremony was last night, and I think I noticed a few people going back for seconds on salad! The HH NHS is a great group of young people that display remarkable character, leadership, scholarship and service. The NFCMS students were happy to share the harvest, but I also think that they are really looking forward to their own big salad party. We'll have to wait until our experiments have run their course. But in the meantime...

In class on Tuesday, the Ground to Table gang brought in all of the fixings for green smoothies. The kids left with recipes, samples and green smoothie mustaches!

I am so pleased that we're able to partner with the knowledgeable, dedicated and enthusiastic folks at the Lamborn Farm/Foundation.

Lunch Box Ecology

2010-04-28T10:03:00.000-07:00

Last Friday was Ecology Day for Hotchkiss K-8 3rd graders.

Instead of focusing on ecology through wilderness, and natural systems- we took another route- through our lunch boxes. We discussed our lunches as they relate to food chains, took a look and handled some red wrigglers (the trusty annelids that keep our compost piles churning), and introduced the concept of food miles.

Everything we put into our lunch boxes has an ecological impact.

checking in

2010-04-28T09:44:00.000-07:00

The NFCMS have been busy with their growing experiments in the Biodome.

They have several projects growing in the 'dome. We are starting tomatoes for the Kids Pasta Project, we transplanted those yesterday into larger containers until the are "field-ready".

An experiment called "Room to Live", where students discover the effects of crowding on plant growth. They used radishes as the plant of choice.

In another experiment, we are growing different varieties of the same crop to learn about plant species diversity. Also to test variety tolerance to fluctuations in temperature, disease/pest resistance and soils. The students have been checking in on them weekly, thinning, measuring and making other observations. Mark Waltermire of Thistle Whistle Farm donated 15 different varieties of his mustard seeds for this experiment. Thank you Mark!

And this is just the biodome!

In school the Ground to Table crew has been leading lessons and sharing locally produced foods with the classes. Last week they focused on wheat; bringing in bread, wheat grass, flour, and they made old fashioned chewing gum. The kids loved it.

Thank you Chys & Danielle!

spring break 2010

2010-04-27T11:02:00.000-07:00

last week, no- actually - two weeks ago was spring break for students in delta county.

we kept busy here at the kampe foundation world headquarters by coordinating with with lynn ruoff to create an intern education program. here is a synopsis of our program:

Farmers and interns (apprentices) have been working together for mutual benefit for years. This is a popular model used around the world. Our community is unique, as it holds many diverse agriculture-based operations within a small area. This is a valuable asset. Working collaboratively, farmers in the North Fork Valley can offer a broad experience to their interns, and a deeper understanding of farming as a business and way of life. In time, this program can be called upon to attract and retain quality interns to build a stronger sustainable farming community.

The Programs highlighted in red are offered to farm interns and workers only, black text indicates events that are open to the public. Programs will run the first Wednesday of each month, Tuesdays in May, through the growing season. Location of the program will vary through the season, so check the schedule for location & directions. All programs are free. A potluck style meal will start at 6:30pm, the educational program will begin at 7:00pm and run until 8:00pm, 8-8:30pm will be a discussion and question answer period.

The Kampe Foundation is offering a $50 instructor fee to cover costs of educational material and time.

If anyone is interested, i'd be happy to post the schedule. just email me...

3rd generation seeds

2010-04-01T15:58:00.000-07:00

It was a blustery day at the Hotchkiss K-8 today, snowed even. Mark and I brought in soil, cells, watering cans and name tags for the tomato project. The 1st graders had the opportunity to plant a 3rd generation of seeds that have been student-saved and farm-grown. In August, when the fruit matures, it will be donated to area food banks, senior center, and Kids Pasta Project- www.kidspastaproject.org

We left the newly-seeded trays in the K-8 greenhouse. In May the seedlings will be planted on the farm.

soils, squash & seeding tomatoes

2010-04-01T15:33:00.000-07:00

This Tuesday we focused on soils, seeding tomatoes and sampling some squash.

Tongue twister.

Last Sunday morning, Adam and I were building beds in the biodome. On Monday, some of Mr. Horton's high school students filled the beds, then I topped them off with some more quality soil for planting on Tuesday. Mark and Webb led lessons on soils and seeding.

While this was happening, the ladies from the Lamborn Foundation were revealing some of the tasty qualities of winter squash to the NFCMS students with bread, seeds, and pie.

Then the wind came up...

a study in pears...

2010-04-01T15:16:00.000-07:00

A lot has happened since my last update. We have partnered with the Lamborn Foundation to bring "Ground to Table" lessons to the NFCMS. The focus of this program is to bring into the lives of children a hands-on and "mouth full" experience of foods produced in our region. Also to raise awareness and appreciation of fresh tasting, nutrient-rich choices that are available in our community. Chrys and Danielle from the Lamborn Foundation have developed an eight week program, each week they will bring an in-depth focus to the versatility of a locally produced food item.

Last week we focused on pears!

The students were introduced to basic pear production and got to sample pear juice, pear sauce, pear cake and pear leather. All served by Danielle, self-proclaimed pear-shaped woman (she's 7 months pregnant)! It was a wonderful afternoon and we were all well fed.

Too bad I forgot the camera...

The students have arrived!

2010-03-19T16:16:00.000-07:00

Last Tuesday afternoon the NFCMS students arrived in the biodome for the first time in 2010. Also, we had a new guest instructor, Webb Eavenson. Mark and I rounded out the team. Between the three of us and 50 students we touched on seasonal changes, climate, greenhouse design, the calculation of area using pi, we focused on our "customers", and came up with a brief planting list.

Now we just need to build to build the beds.

For the past couple of weeks I have been meeting with some people at a local co-op to discuss collaboration. Through this collaboration, we are bringing local food into the classroom next week!!! We will focus on regionalism, nutrition, and diversity.

I am honored to be working with such dedicated citizens.

2010 Projects

2010-03-11T10:45:00.000-08:00

There are several projects for 2010, but we are going to put the Biodome at Hotchkiss High School at the top this spring.

Mark and I have been hosting garden-based science lessons out of the 'dome for the past 2 years (see earlier posts). Last fall HHS students removed a lot of out-dated and damaged material (an old deck, and two 500 gallon water tanks) thereby increasing the usable space. Way to go students!

Unfortunately the raised beds we were using for lessons with the NFCMS got tossed out with the "bath water", too. Looking at the bright side, I see this as opportunity to redesign the raised bed layout and be more inclusive. We will hold a meeting with the HHS science teachers to insure their interest, future use and get more students and teachers out of their classrooms! We have a lot work to do, earth leveling, bed design and construction, planting, and general maintenance.

This is a tremendous opportunity for learning and growing!

volunteer appreciation party

2009-11-04T10:14:00.000-08:00

that's about it for 2009!

we had a volunteer appreciation party at louie's pizza in paonia on october 29th. we had about 20 folks for pizza, beer and conversation. a few guests showed up in costume, there was a missed love-connection, and a general feeling of appreciation for the amazing community we live in (well, speaking for myself).

looking forward to spring 2010!!

seed saving with the 1st graders

2009-11-04T10:06:00.000-08:00

On october 28th mark and i visited with the hotchkiss 1st grade classes for a seed saving activity.

i wish that brought the camera!

after reading a book about farming and food to the kids, they jumped right into it. mark explained the importance and details (on a 1st grade level) of seed saving. we brought in the very sticky, and somewhat green tail-end of the tomato harvest for the seed. the kids were delighted to get their hands dirty squishing the the fruit into a half gallon jar that will stay in their classroom for about two weeks until we come back for straining and drying.

garnet mesa field trip!

2009-11-04T09:31:00.000-08:00

On october 21st we hosted 100 kindergartners at 2 local farms to learn about food and farming! it was a beautiful day; the weather was perfect, the students were wonderful, and our community educators were brilliant! I couldn't have asked for a better day.

well, except for that school bus getting lost.

we worked with a new farm that offered different educational opportunities for the kids. this farm grows grain for milling, feed and sprouting (among many, many other things).

it was wonderful to see the children watch the transformation of the whole grain milled into fluffy flour that makes the bread that we eat everyday.

another one of life's mysteries revealed.

education stations included: grain milling, apple cider press, carrot harvesting, farm animal visit, compost investigation, goat milking, chicken coop visit, apple tasting and apple art.

i'd like to thank:

zephyros farm and garden

lamborn farm

don, daphne, siwar, karina, adam, mark, elaine, illene, adam, cris, josh, andrew, asha, danielle, webb, greg, addie, and barb.

mountain harvest festival 2009

2009-10-03T16:48:00.000-07:00

last weekend was the north fork valley mountain harvest festival. check out: mountainharvestfestival.com

an incredible celebration showcasing the bounty of our region during the most wonderful time of the year! the kampe foundation and the hotchkiss high school national honor society hosted the kids' area for its second year. on saturday and sunday from noon to 5 pm we offered crafts and activities to our community youth-- for free! it was a fun weekend, and the weather was perfect.

i want to thank all of the national honor society students for the dedication and enthusiasm that made last weekend such a success.

tomatoes for all!

2009-10-03T16:17:00.000-07:00

last week mark and i visited the 2nd graders at the K-8 in hotchkiss. we brought just a small sample of the tomatoes that they planted last spring as 1st graders. over the course of a year the students were able to take part in the cycle of the season and planting. in the fall of 2008, the students visited thistle whistle farm and collected tomato seed (a very fun & messy process). they squished dozens of tomatoes over a gallon jar to collect all the seeds and juices they could. they took the jar back with them to their classroom and let it stand (and rot!) for about 10 days. mark & i came back to visit the class to show them how to strain, clean and dry the seed. in april of 2009 we came back to the classroom with soil, pots and couple of watering cans. the students arrived with their seed that they saved all winter long. they planted and seed and raised them for about 6 weeks in their school greenhouse. in may 2009, the class came to the farm with their seedlings ready to plant in the farm's food bank plot. mark and several volunteers from our community tended the plants for the growing season. finally, last week we shared the harvest with the students back at school in their 2nd grade classroom. they were enthusiastic about seeing, touching and tasting the amazing variety of heirloom tomatoes that they took part in raising, full circle, last thursday.

summer science camp

2009-06-15T10:30:00.000-07:00

Thistle Whistle Farm and The Kampe Foundation have been hosting the NFCMS summer science camp on tuesday afternoons. the farm is a great place for applied science experiments, exploring and making new friends (animal, vegetable and mineral-types)! this was our first class in the new classroom. last week we had a basic introduction to the farm, started and decorated our science journals, and made some time to study atoms & molecules! the students had the opportunity to milk goats, then experiment with the molecular structure of the goat milk using food color and a few other ingredients. The students are getting great exposure to the diversity of the plant world. Mark grows so many interesting plants on his farm!

classroom complete!

2009-06-15T10:22:00.000-07:00

just a short post of some pictures of our completed yurt classroom! everyone has responded so positively to this beautiful classroom space. we are very grateful to be working with the wonderful folks at Thistle Whistle Farm!

our farm classroom

2009-05-30T20:25:00.000-07:00

we may finish up our on-farm classroom this week. we've been working on this one for months, thru the busiest time of the year in farming. mark, adam, kevin, megan, adam and ana have been chipping away at it and i think i see a completion point. i imagine we'll be continuously improving the site with educational additions (a bee hive will be one of the first!). i have a lot of hopes for this little 20' yurt-classroom!! our first class will be coming this tuesday-- here we go!

spring biodome finale

2009-05-30T20:06:00.000-07:00

our last spring class with the montessori 2nd/3rd graders was a lot of fun. after tending to the raised bed gardens for weeks, we got to reap our rewards. we had salads!! we broke into teams- we had harvesters, washers, sorters and identifiers! the students enjoyed salads that included an all lettuce mix, arugula, radishes, sugar snap peas and some nasturtium. the kids loved it. thank you mark & kevin for all of your help this season!

ecology day!

2009-05-14T16:59:00.000-07:00

on may 1 the kampe foundation joined with US forest service and the colorado department of wildlife to host the hotchkiss K8 3rd graders in an ecology day fair. we looked at food webs through the eyes of a consumer (humans!). students participated in a food wed sorting game, we went through many human food options that we find on the shelf at the grocery store (beans, crackers, chicken, mushrooms). we sorted all these foods into trophic levels. we got their wheels turning!

what good is compost?

2009-05-14T16:43:00.000-07:00

we finalized two of our 6 week growing experiments in the biodome last week. the nfcms 2nd/3rd graders got a hands on lesson on the value of compost. earlier this spring the students amended half of a 4x10 raised bed, ran a ribbon down the center, and planted identical crops in each side. time, sunshine and water were some of the ingredients that helped reveal what turned out to be a important lesson in the value of compost. there were obvious differences, and the students measured, counted and took in more subjective information on the differences between the two beds. during the final check-in on the compost bags it was evident that our native soils compost much slower than store bought potting soil. the students had a great time trying to identify the items (apple cores, tissue, bread, leaves, nails, among other things) they put into the bags earlier this spring. the students are very observant!

yurt classroom project

2009-04-29T19:55:00.000-07:00

earlier this spring the kampe foundation and thistle whistle farm started a classroom project. for the past 3 years we have been doing field trips to farms all over the valley. we always have fun and learn something new on these trips! one lesson we learned early on is that it's nice to have shelter. a place where students can gather; out of the wind, rain or blistering heat to focus on that days lessons. not in the unsuspecting but generous farmer's greenhouse, garage or living room- but real dedicated classroom space. we are making some good headway, with the deck complete, and yurt delivered and in pile waiting to be assembled. we are waiting on the arrival of a new compression ring- then it's a matter of a scheduled day, some instruction, and grit. i hope to have it up... soon. before summer science camp begins! thank you mark, adam, kevin, megan, the other adam and graham (for entertainment). i look forward to the days ahead - sheltered from the elements (if we choose). here is picture of our deck in progress.

paonia junior high

2009-04-23T10:48:00.000-07:00

this week we worked with the paonia junior high 8th graders. it's been nearly a year since we first started meeting with administration & community members. our goal is to enhance their science and nutrition curriculum with farm/garden-based educational experiences. yesterday the 8th graders and 5 dedicated adults came together to build two raised beds on campus. we hope to get the site seeded, and a commitment to maintain the bed through the summer (that's where the rubber meets the road with these projects). i am pleased that we got the beds in, this could be the beginning of a wonderful relationship! thank you kampe foundation for rounding up the materials and wcfac for your help.

spring break

2009-04-16T13:35:00.000-07:00

last week was a busy one.

we hosted the montessori 1st graders at zephyros farm and garden on thursday morning. activities included, crafts with farm grown dried flowers, worm discovery station, lamb petting and onion planting. the giant worm bin was a hit! they must have several hundred pounds of worms and castings....

amazing!

later that day we hosted the 5th & 6th graders at the hotchkiss high school biodome. we discussed basic biodome design and layout, introduced the students to our worm bin, and the future plans for the dome.

on friday we visited the hotchkiss K8 1st grade classes for our tomato project. the students went out to thistle whistle farm last fall to collect a sample (a very large sample) of a variety of heirloom tomato seeds. we planted those very seeds last week. mark waltermire, one of the finest farmers in our valley has been instrumental in this successful project. later in may the students will go out to his farm to transplant the tomato starts, the fruit produced by these plants will be donated to area food banks. thank you to kevin and danielle for your help that afternoon.

i met with the women that run the youth garden project in moab last tuesday. it is an inspiring program that i hope to replicate somehow, sometime, somewhere...

april 8th

2009-04-08T14:12:00.000-07:00

For the past 3 weeks we've been working in the biodome at hotchkiss high school with the north fork community montessori 2nd and 3rd graders. we have been busy! so far we have built a worm bin, seeded one of the raised beds, and started a compost experiment. the worms (1000s of red wrigglers) were donated by the fine folks at zephyros farm and garden in paonia. a big thank you to don & daphne. the compost bags are decomposing nicely, and the seed germinating...

what shall we do tomorrow?