Saturday, August 20, 2011

The Free Farm in summertime

The Free Farm's new welcome signs by Jet
Taking a look at last summer’s blog postings, The Free Farm looked so bare without our greenhouse, hothouse, tool shed, office, terrace, etc. Our summer harvest is still abundant: today’s harvest yielding 100+ pounds of greens (12 lbs.), strawberries (3 lbs.), runner beans (5 lbs.), zucchini (61 lbs.), squash (13 lbs.), basil (4 lbs.), garlic (2 lbs.) and cucumbers (1.5 lbs.).

Our community of Free Farmers continues to grow as there's something for everyone:-) Though I came to The Free Farm to grow plants, it’s just as fun and rewarding to build and repair structures. Damon is the ultimate Do-It-Yourself guy, with tools in hand—building, fixing and sharing his know-how with other volunteers. When I invited him to contribute to our blog, Damon showed he's also gifted behind the camera as evident in his awesome photos (with clever captions) of today’s workday.
Brittany begins her sprout propaganda


Brittany finishes her project with Pia & Mallika


Byron & Jonesey composting

Byron & sister Cassie

Byron's new
composting bins
Compost
Fran multi-tasking

Free Farm is spreading the wealth

Hannah is definitely the farm's expert harvester

Hermano hard at it

I have never seen Tree in here!

Joyce defending the moat
Kay is on her weeds
Mallika & Susan harvesting
Our resident cook

Our resident flower child

Our resident swami

Rafael & Roger (sans Wesker)

Rob & Jonesey giving Byron a break

Roger in the strawberries

Robert watering the container garden

The day's catch

The family sits down for lunch


Wesker

Public Service Announcements:

Tues., Aug. 23, 2011, 6:30-8:30 pm Introduction to Carnism
Unitarian Universalist Center, 1187 Franklin St. at Geary Blvd. SF
Dr. Melanie Joy, activist for social and environmental justice and animal welfare, will present her book Why We Love Dogs, Eat Pigs, and Wear Cows on how our diets evolved. Dr. Joy will focus on healthier diets based on more sustainable and humane agricultural practices, while preserving the earth and oceans.
http://www.sfvs.org/events.php

Beginning Wed., Aug. 24, 2011, 1:30-4 pm, Healthier Living Workshops
Wed. workshops through Wed., Sept. 28, 2011, 1:30-4 pm
Richmond Branch Library, 351 - 9th Ave. betw. Geary & Clement, SF
Developed by Stanford University School of Medicine and hosted by SF Department of Aging and Adult Services, free 6-week workshops are designed to help people with chronic conditions and their caregivers improve the quality of their life. Participants learn how to manage pain, stress, and fatigue; be more fit and eat healthier; work more effectively with doctors and healthcare professionals; set goals and problem solve to make positive life changes; and feel better and reduce healthcare costs. To register, contact Shelly Glazer, City College of SF, 415-452-5839 or sdglazer@ccsf.edu. Details at http://healthier-living-sf.eventbrite.com/

Thurs., Aug. 25, 2011, 5:30 pm-7:30 pm Artist reception for “Faces of Hunger”
Oakland City Hall Rotunda, 1 Frank Ogawa Plaza, Oakland
Exhibit from Mon., Aug. 22 to Fri., Sept. 2. The work of renowned photojournalist David Bacon, the exhibit is a collection of stories and images from Alameda County Community Food Bank clients, member agency staff and volunteers. RSVP by Tues., Aug. 23 to knzewi@accfb. org

Thurs, Aug. 25, 2011, 7-9pm, Living Wild: Native Plant Tasting & Book Signing
Ecology Center Store, 2530 San Pablo Ave., Berkeley
An evening with Alicia Funk, author of Living Wild: Gardening, Cooking and Healing with Native Plants of the Sierra Nevada, to enjoy appetizers made from local native plants and sample wild fermented beverages. Learn how to process oak nuts (acorns) and other fall edibles, discover easy-to-grow native plants to add to the backyard this fall, and view original functional artwork from native plant materials. Growing native plants for food and medicine can help our own health as well as that of the landscape around us. It offers a way to deepen our relationship with the land we inhabit, support local biodiversity, and fundamentally shift the way we eat, garden and heal so that we can truly live sustainably. http://www.ecologycenter.org/calendar/event.php?eventID=36330 .

Sat., Aug. 27, 2011, 8 pm Ten Dangerous Nutrition Myths
St. James Community Room, 4620 California St., betw. 8th & 9th Ave., SF
Dr. Janice Stanger, author of The Perfect Formula Diet, will discuss common diet myths. If popular ideas about nutrition were correct, why would so many adults and children be overweight and sick? This no-myth-left-untouched presentation will transform your understanding of six whole foods you should eat and the processed foods, animal foods, and supplements you should never consume. Exactly how much do you need of key nutrients - and what happens if you get too much? Enjoy whole food feasts without guilt or worries about deficiencies. Discover the secrets to sustaining strong bones, unobstructed arteries, and youthful vigor - all without dissecting your food into protein, carbs, and fats.
http://www.sfvs.org/events.php

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