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Thank-yous were abundant this Sunday, when the community celebrated Volunteer Appreciation Day. Hayes Valley Farm wanted to express its gratitude for its dedicated volunteers, and opened its gates with festivities of food, music, crafts and talks.

I witnessed tokens of appreciation throughout the day, ranging from the loving labor of volunteers, to a few very generous donations. The French American International School Lower School Parent’s Board expressed its support for the farm and its educational initiatives by donating $500. The donation will be used to buy more much-needed tools.

A stellar volunteer arrived shortly after I did at the farm. She saw that there were already a lot of volunteers, and asked, “What else can I do?” After hearing about the shortage of wheelbarrows, she marched out and purchased two more. Later, as I helped shovel manure into one of the new wheelbarrows, another volunteer commented, that surely, this was the best wheelbarrow. And perhaps it is, considering the spirit with which it was given.

I took a break with some other volunteers and headed over to the abundant snack table. I grabbed a pastry and sandwich, which were brought over from La Boulange de Hayes. Hummus, popcorn, peanut brittle, and potato salad were also laid out, with a cornucopia of fresh carrots, grapefruit, oranges and apples.

Happily munching, I walked over to an informative talk on raising worms. Children gleefully tore up some phone books and gathered small sticks, which were laid down in layers with food scraps. Red wiggler worms were held up for the crowd, than given a new home in a wooden box.

I saw that kids and adults alike were having fun decorating t-shirts and drawing on the pavement with chalk. They drew fruits and veggies, as well as planets.  Danielle pointed out to me a blue rectangle on the ground. She told me it was a child’s drawing of a blue brownie, which was also doubled as a train. She wrote out the words “Universal Greater Good” on the ground to unify the colorful image. She expressed how incredible the energy was at the farm.

Pamela Parker entertained us as we worked on the off-ramp. She soulfully played the guitar and sang some ballads, with an occasional duet. She had created a vibrant stage with yellow scotch broom flowers that were picked from the nearby ivy slopes. We were all thoroughly enjoying ourselves, sharing what our favorite tools were. One volunteer said hers was a pitchfork, while another declared that the half-shovel was the Excalibur of manure shovels.

It was a beautiful day to appreciate and be appreciated. More photos available at our flickr page.

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