Life on the Farm: December

In recent weeks on the farm, we have began noticing the temperature starting to decrease as well as the bed activity. We have been preparing our beds to survive the cold nights and to stay protected. A change in season like this has presented the opportunity to harvest and get different vegetables into the ground. I have also recently checked to harvest data sheet and all groups have harvested a large amount of items that we grew on our own!

The December month is also filled with finals, so we have been studying hard for the end of the semester. In my opinion, the Redwood farm has never looked so good. The plants are thriving in a sustainable manner, and new plants are being introduced to students beds. In the class, we have been calculating how sustainable our beds have been over this semester span. In addition, we must plan the winter calculations and select which crops will be used for the winter cycle. The semester is coming to an end, but the farm is in full swing.

-Grant M.

[Editor's note: Oops! Grant appears to have fallen over.  Hope you are ok, Grant.]

Christmas Farm Post!

Christmas Farm Post!

This week on the Redwood Sustainable agriculture farm, we've all been very productive. This week alone we've been harvesting and preparing our beds for winter. As it's called, "winterizing", is very necessary for our beds. While the school will be off for break our preparations will help new seeds and underground root growth develop. As the summer/fall season comes to an end we are also planting more winter oriented crops that can handle lesser amounts of sunlight and colder conditions. 

Along with harvesting all our summer/fall crops, the RHS Agricultural Classes have raised money for the class and have delivered bags of fresh greens and produce to teachers around the school. Bells Beans, Chard, Roman Lettus, and Kale were the main harvested crops, and we've been receiving lots of smiles as we deliver them. With our beds prepared with layers of hay and row covers, the farm is ready for a month without attention and little growth. From everyone at the farm, we wish you good luck with upcoming finals and studying! Merry Christmas Redwood.

Thanks,

Justin Inscoe

From Farm to Classroom

            This year we introduced a new idea to the table and it worked out great! To raise some more money for our farm, we decided to offer to bring produce straight from the farm to teacher's classrooms for the price of just $2. It was a really simple mini project and was really fun to do! Many teachers enjoyed their organic and fresh food whether it was spicy jalapenos or sweet strawberries.

            In order to pull of such a task, we spent half of a class harvesting and recording the food that we were soon going to deliver. Then during the second half of class we were off to the classes to deliver and collect our money! The food was presented in a simple brown lunch bag and had a good amount of produce in it. It was really cool to see the teacher's excitement on their faces and how pleased they were to see fresh organic food for just the price of $2. I hope that we can continue this for the following years as it was different then what we usually and everyone gets a benefit out of it!

-Ali Lee 

           

Semester's End...

As our semester comes to an end, we will begin working on our One Bed Fall presentations and planning for the winter. The week before break, we harvested as much as we could and/or wanted to take home and perhaps could have eaten with Thanksgiving dinner. There was plenty of lettuce for salad!  We have spent these previous weeks focusing not only on harvesting, but also our management jobs. As a part of the watering group, we have been monitoring the irrigation to ensure there are no leaks and if there are, what we can do to fix them whether temporarily or permanently. We ran into quite a few issues with the irrigation systems today but were able to repair two fairly serious leaks. The farm continues to thrive as winter approaches.

-Kylie

Herbs Galore!

At the Redwood High School Farm you can now find a small yet expanding herb garden! 

Common herbs such as Oregano and Mint can be found in the garden along with other more uncommon herbs such as Nepitella. Herbs have been used for centuries for their medicinal properties.  Once mature and large plants, we will be able to harvest the herbs and sell them at the Farmer's Market where buyers can take them home and make things such as tea or incense. Other herbs in the herb garden are French Tarragon, Sage, Rosemary, and Lavender. All of which can be used in the Kitchen. 

The Herb garden is not the only place on the Farm however one might find an herbal plant. At the end of a few beds around the farm Lemon Verbena, Rosemary, and mint can be spotted. Lavender is also planted along the West side of the Farm against the pool fence. As this is only the beginning of the small herb garden at the Farm, many more plants will be added. All which will serve a purpose in the kitchen or on the farm. 

If you have any suggestions for more herbs or your favorite is not yet on the Farm, feel free to contact me with inquiries!

Your fellow farmer,

Lennon Lott

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