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23 December 2010
My name is Chase and my nature name is Feather, “Whoooooooo, (shake, shake, shake...)”
“Good morning Chase Feather, (shake, shake, shake)” we respond.
Our check-in this morning involved making a noise and a movement to represent how we were feeling. From subtle and soft to big and boisterous we said “Good Morning” to each other and to the Farm. Day Three at Winter Wonderfarm commenced... with blue streaks against a gentle gray sky, lots of smiles and sparkling eyes. Today was wonderful!
Connection was our theme, meaning deepening connection to place, each other and the possibilities that each moment holds for discovery, learning, trust-building, creativity, and FUN!
We got a special visit from Carla of City Grazing and her two dear friends, Cow and Petunia, GOATS!
Cow and Petunia had never visited Hayes Valley Farm and they were very excited to spend part of the morning with the young farmers. We learned a lot about goats! Garden Wizard, Yannick Organic lovingly referred to these soft, furry friends as natural lawn mowers. They will eat just about any plant, and can help to manage a weedy situation. We learned that they have four stomachs, they have really nice, white teeth, and they are vegetarians. Also, goats have a lot in common with worms, their poop is really great for farms and gardens. We took the goats on a tour of the farm, the young urban farmers were gracious hosts, offering our soft, furry new friends kale, fava leaves and broccoli greens, Before the goats left Hayes Valley Farm, they had a late breakfast of dew speckled ivy. Thank you Carla, Cow and Petunia! We hope to have the goats back to the farm soon!
Our expert of the day was Super-Green, a.k.a. artist and educator, Zoey Kroll of Edible Office. In the spirit of deepening our connection to place, Zoey masterfully led us through an inquiry and creative exploration of how we see Hayes Valley Farm. We picked out the places/spaces and elements of the farm that we LOVE and we mapped our perceptions on big pieces of paper. Each map was colorful and full of words and pictures that capture our experience and connection to place. Thank you Zoey, Super-Green! Zoey asked us about super powers and if there were any superheroes on the farm...One young farmer answered without hesitation, “Yes, the fava bean is the superhero here!!!”
After a picnic lunch filled with giggles and deliciousness, we began Project Weave. We made a loom out of a recycled pallet, nails and twine and using strips of scrap fabric from SCRAP and natural materials like bark, leaves, twigs, ivy, kale and red chard. We began to weave color and elements of place into our loom...weaving connection, creating community.
“I will be changing my nature name when I come back to Hayes Valley Farm for summer camp,” announces KaleSage as we are finishing up our picnic lunch. “Why’s that?” Garden Wizard, Casey inquires. “Because kale is not in season in the summer.” KaleSage reports. “Will you remember me if I have a different nature name?” “Of course we will remember you!!!”
We finished this wonderful day today sitting in the Mulch Hot Tub (a cozy nook dug in the mulch that is a natural heater as the mulch is decomposing) reading a story titled, Mother Earth. As we turned to the last page, we realized the children were sitting buried in Mother Earth, much like we were at that very moment.... tiny children, cozy and safe nestled in Mother Earth. We rocked the Yes Circle right then! Squealing “YES!” after each camper shared their favorite moment of camp for that day. Collectively we enjoyed, “meeting all the new people, the goats, and drawing the mulch on the map.”
As I pulled out of the gates at the end of camp, and drove south up Laguna street, I looked up and saw the most brilliant rainbow painted against the bright blue sky! What a day!
Tomorrow is the last day of camp... and the theme that will guide our experiences is, Community. We have a lot to celebrate!
"Baa Face" by Janelle Fitzpatrick, December 22, 2010
"Super-Green" by Redwood, Kat, and Zoey Kroll
Map Making at Winter Wonderfarm
"Map Making at Winter Wonderfarm" by Zoey Kroll, December 22, 2010
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Over a thousand volunteers, neighbors, and community members have helped coordinate the farm efforts.