Written by Lindsey Goldberg | 02 March 2011

"I was born for this!"

- Jacob, 1st Grade French American International School, as we neared the gate on our way out of the farm after a dynamic, after-school session this evening.

Each week since the new year I have gathered up a group of budding urban farmers from one of our neighborhood schools and we trot over the farm in a clump, recounting stories of the weekend, visionary ideas for the farm and sharing timeless jokes.

Today, Gina had brought us bananas to eat on our walk over and as we approached the farm with peels in hand, we were excited to share the remains of our afternoon snack with the worms. To the worm bin we went and as we peeled back freshly laid coffee grounds, we found happy, frisky red wigglers. We shredded up our banana peels and fed the wormies. This afternoon both Audrey and Jacob were surprised to find a diverse community of creatures living in the worm bin, alongside the energetic worms, were creatures of all shapes and sizes...collectively we decided we needed a microscope to learn more about this community living in the worm bin.

From vermicompost, we galloped like horses across the river bed to the solar energy charging station and made a slurry (mushrooms blended with water) using solar energy powered electricity! We then surveyed the farm, identifying the best areas to inoculate mushrooms. This particular slurry was made with the Stinky Mushroom Brain. A delightful edible variety of fungus. As the puff ball matures, it opens, exposing bright red-orange, intricate extensions with an interesting odor. We drenched a few wet and dark corners of the farm with our slurry and will keep our eyes on those spots, waiting for the mycelial matter to establish and when the conditions are right, to fruit fungus!

The new moon is on Friday. According to the biodynamic method, it is opportune to seed four days prior the this phase of the moon's cycle. So, we prepared trays and gathered sifted compost and seeded seeds with diverse, colorful, nourishing, and flavorful potential.

After a final check on the worms, to see if they had made any progress on our banana peels in the 45 minutes we had been learning, experimenting and seeding on the farm, (they hadn't) we gathered in a closing circle to share/sing our favorite animal noise, collectively we were horses, whales, dolphins, and chickens and our favorite thing about our afternoon.

On our way out, Jacob shared that indeed, "he was born for this," a statement that will shine in my heart for weeks to come. As we headed back to school, the evening sky filled with a soft golden glow lighting up the tops of the Eucalyptus trees. Farming in the city feels good! 

SPRING SPROUT CAMP sprouts at the end of March. Join us for our seasonal day camp for youth ages 5-12.

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Photos by Lindsey Goldberg, February 24, 2010