Yet another cool thing to do with your kids and their schools. On October 18, my friends Lori and Jeff Fiorovich will host a Farm to School Day at Crystal Bay Farm in Watsonville.
Read the press release below, and see the faces of your host farmers, when Logan was just two and a half.
Become a Farm to School Champion!
Bring your family to a dynamic training
at a local farm on October 18th from 10-2
What: Do you want to learn about how to get more fresh local produce on your school menus and get kids learning about local agriculture? Come to a fun-filled Farm to School day at Crystal Bay Farm and pumpkin patch in Watsonville on Saturday, October 18th from 10 am-2 pm. There will workshops for adults and fun farm and food activities to keep your kids happy while you learn how to make Farm to School happen in your community. Enjoy lunch cooked by a local food service director and her students, raffle prizes, live music and the farm pumpkin patch!
Where: Crystal Bay Farm, 40 Zils Road, Watsonville. (That links to a Google map.)
When: Saturday, October 18th, 10am-2pm.
Who: Community Alliance with Family Farmers, along with partners organizations--Monterey County Farm to School Partnership and the California Farm to School Taskforce--are hosting this event.
To participate: For more information or to order tickets, go to www.brownpapertickets.com/event/43352, call 831-761-8507 or email [email protected]. Please purchase before the event to allow us to plan. (Children are free, but please order their tickets as a form of RSVP for the event planners to know approximate attendance.)
More about Farm to School:
Farm to School Programs connect farms with school cafeterias and classrooms. These programs can include everything from farm field trips to nutrition education in the school garden to farm-fresh salad bars. The programs come in all shapes and sizes, but they fall into two main categories: Farm to School Education programs and Farm to School Produce Distribution programs.
A comprehensive Farm to School program puts both elements together: fresh, locally-grown produce appears on the school menu, while students learn about local agriculture. Farm to School programs are sprouting up across the country!
Go to www.caff.org or www.farmtoschool.org to learn more.
• • • • • • • • • • •
A TOUCHING MOMENT
Yesterday was a pretty terrible day for a lot of people, me among them though we own no stocks, houses, 401K plans, or anything else directly affected by the Bush-driven economic downturn. Things got better when I got to see Logan's smiling face at the end of his school-day, but I was pretty tender even then. The emotional climate around here is better than it was a year ago: he's thriving and sings virtually all the time. But the weather yesterday: stormy in my soul, and ready to rain.
An e-mail I got while I was preparing dinner set loose the tears, it was so sweet. I never really know who all reads my weblog, and I heard from a stranger who'd read my post about the UCSC Farm apprentices needing help. I won't name him here, but he wrote:
Hi Tana,
I like your blog, and just wanted to tell you that I contributed $2500 to the apprentices a couple of weeks ago. City boy, but I like farms and good food, and love learning more about Santa Cruz from our home in Palo Alto.
A.
Well, I started weeping, I was so touched. Logan, just a few feet away in the bathtub, asked, "Why are you crying Nana? Did John McCain do something bad?"
"No, honey. Someone did something so very sweet, and sometimes when people surprise me with kindness, it makes me cry from being happy."
"Nana, did Barack Obama do something nice for you?"
Go ahead, laugh: I did, between my tears. They came in waves, not completely the result of The Kindness of Strangers, but part of an emotional relief for the whole day. I had realized that being afraid plays into the game plan for those who have pillaged this country, and I just made my mind up not to go there.
Thank you again, A., for letting me know that I helped make a difference. And that you made a difference.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: "One person can make a difference. In fact, it's not only possible for one person to make a difference, it's essential that one person makes a difference." —Bob Riley
Thanks for visiting, whoever and wherever you are.
I am so glad to read that a reader of your blog made that donation. Thank you for inspiring so many...
Posted by: Rebecca T. of HonestMeat | 01 October 2008 at 10:32 AM
Speaking of making a different...
The National Wildlife Federation recently finished a send-a-letter-to-the-EPA widget and Facebook application that sends an official message to the Environmental Protection Agency urging them to recognize the impact greenhouse gases are having on our planet. We're trying to drum-up up some support for their cause. If you're so inclined, we'd appreciate a link to either application or simply spread the word! Thanks so much!
Widget: http://www.clearspring.com/widgets/48dd4c8e92491714
Facebook Application: http://apps.new.facebook.com/speakupforwildlife/
Posted by: Chris | 03 October 2008 at 03:33 PM
Thank you for sharing your pumpkin patch. It is a wonderful way to welcome in Fall.
I am enjoying the last days of summer color as Autumn arrives in zone 5.
Happy October - a True FAN of your Napa Blog!
Posted by: Bren | 04 October 2008 at 08:01 PM
I read your blog, and I think you make many differences to many. I have found so many good links and educational info on farming and food system. I'm hoping like you Nov. 4th will be a beginning.A good cry is always good, followed by good food and love. And wine.
Posted by: Katherine | 24 October 2008 at 05:07 PM