Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Happy Winter from RHS Sustainable Agriculture!

The Redwood Farm continues to grow, even in the cold.  Irrigation is being updated by Heritage Landscapes and over the school holiday, fencing will be installed.

The cold weather, uneven watering, and lack of fencing has made it a bit hard on our initial plantings, but we are learning about our site though observation. The infrastructure that will make a difference will be in place soon.

Tentative winter work days have been scheduled for January 18 and February 8.  If weather and planning permit, we will do some irrigation and soil work and perhaps install a water catchment system.  Also mark your calendars for March 22, April 26, and May 17.

If you know interested Redwood students, Sustainable Agriculture will be offered as a year-long science course starting in the fall.  Tell students you know about it!  Here is the course description:

SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE 1-2 (UC "g" pending) In Sustainable Agriculture, students experience how one of our strongest connections with the earth is through food.  Utilizing hands-on scientific experimentation and project-based learning, students plan, cultivate, and maintain the student-run on-campus organic farm.  Students work collaboratively to harvest, share, use, and recycle wastes from the plants they grow while assessing the sustainability of their techniques.  Topics include plant identification, composting, soil science and regeneration, sustainable farming methods, and impacts of agriculture.  Community connections are strengthened through field trips, guest teachers, plant sales, and volunteer work days.  Students must have interest and motivation to learn about growing food and be ready to work to support the land it comes from.  Prerequisite: Passing grades in Integrates Science 1-4; with instructor's approval and completion of Integrated Science 1-2, may be taken concurrently with Integrated Science 3-4.

Finally check out our farm logo.  Thanks to parent Randi Curhan and student Deya Torres:
Happy holidays and see you in 2014!