Monday, September 15, 2014
First Week at The RHS Farm
On the first block day of working at the farm there was a lot of work that needed to be done. We had to create new farm beds to grow plants on. We did this by sheet mulching. Sheet mulching is layered mulch system that can suppress weed growth, reduce labor and maintenance costs, improve the soil, and improve the health of the plants. The other thing we did was double dug an existing farm bed. Double digging helps to aerate the soil, helps roots go deeper into the ground, improves soil drainage, and cycles nutrients to the top so plants can use it. That was what the class did the entire time. On Wednesday September 3rd, the second block day, there was a greater variety of activities that the students could do. There were people doing weeding and filling the paths with wood chips. People were picking tomatoes and weighing other types of food so that people can use them. People were making compost piles which can be used as compost later on. Creating compost is necessary in order to have a sustainable farm. There were some people that were creating a few more beds and double digging those beds as well. The rest of the people were working on their personal beds and that is what has been going on in the first couple of weeks of Sustainable Agriculture.
Tuesday, June 17, 2014
Redwood High School Sustainable Agriculture Farm - New Intro Video
Video by 2014 APES students, Dillon Foehr and Ian Lewitz.
Wednesday, June 11, 2014
Summer
Summer begins at the Redwood Farm...
We planted corn and quinoa, among other things to grow over the summer. We'll have some work days if you want to drop in. July 22 from 10am-noon for one. Other dates TBA. Please comment if you'd like more information.
The bees won!
Following up on the last SustAg blog, San Rafael removed all restrictions on bees except in the case of nuisance. Hooray for the bees!
Check it out: From Rebecca Newburn at Hall Middle School:
Student groups deeply studied a topic that is impacting our world. Here are some of the topics: colony collapse disorder, proposed construction of tunnels in the Delta, fracking, Keystone XL Pipeline, impact of synthetic dyes (and alternatives - we even did natural dyeing in class), peak oil, 6th mass extinction, and loss of (plant) varieties. They created a website that had a Learn, Act & Geek Out page. The Learn page explained the topic, included their 3-5 minute video, provided different points of view on the topic, and had their reflections on the topic. The Act page includes their PSA and 10 things that someone who cares about the topic can do. The Geek Out page is an invitation to joyfully create the world we want to live in - ex. learn how to make yogurt so you don't have to buy plastic. All of the student projects are at http://earthcaregeek.org. The site is created and run by students too!
Happy summer to all.
We planted corn and quinoa, among other things to grow over the summer. We'll have some work days if you want to drop in. July 22 from 10am-noon for one. Other dates TBA. Please comment if you'd like more information.
The bees won!
Following up on the last SustAg blog, San Rafael removed all restrictions on bees except in the case of nuisance. Hooray for the bees!
Check it out: From Rebecca Newburn at Hall Middle School:
Student groups deeply studied a topic that is impacting our world. Here are some of the topics: colony collapse disorder, proposed construction of tunnels in the Delta, fracking, Keystone XL Pipeline, impact of synthetic dyes (and alternatives - we even did natural dyeing in class), peak oil, 6th mass extinction, and loss of (plant) varieties. They created a website that had a Learn, Act & Geek Out page. The Learn page explained the topic, included their 3-5 minute video, provided different points of view on the topic, and had their reflections on the topic. The Act page includes their PSA and 10 things that someone who cares about the topic can do. The Geek Out page is an invitation to joyfully create the world we want to live in - ex. learn how to make yogurt so you don't have to buy plastic. All of the student projects are at http://earthcaregeek.org. The site is created and run by students too!
Happy summer to all.
Friday, May 30, 2014
Let the bees be!
Are you aware of this issue?
Summarized here:
https://jennifer-berrybees.squarespace.com/beekeepers-notebook/2014/5/30/keep-beekeeping-free-and-accessible
Sign a petition here:
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/758/713/229/beekeeping-in-san-rafael-must-stay-free-and-accessible/?taf_id=11283637&cid=fb_na
Let the bees be!
(Note: We will help the bees by doing some summer crop planting on Monday, June 9 from 1:30-3:30. Come on out!)
Summarized here:
https://jennifer-berrybees.squarespace.com/beekeepers-notebook/2014/5/30/keep-beekeeping-free-and-accessible
Sign a petition here:
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/758/713/229/beekeeping-in-san-rafael-must-stay-free-and-accessible/?taf_id=11283637&cid=fb_na
Let the bees be!
(Note: We will help the bees by doing some summer crop planting on Monday, June 9 from 1:30-3:30. Come on out!)
Monday, May 12, 2014
Work Day May 17 AND Novella Carpenter May 22
Hope to see you at the last official work day of the school year: 9a-12ish or any portion thereof on Saturday, May 17. Bring a wheelbarrow to use, if you can.
To do:
-harvest compost crops, build compost piles
-make retaining wall out of waste wood
-fill low-lying beds with soil
-plant corn, quinoa, melon, peas
-plant blueberries, trees
-finish install water catchment system (need someone who can do gutters--we have the materials!)
-work on irrigation system
...and more!
Also, come see Novella Carpenter at the Redwood Little Theater, May 22 @ 6pm:
To do:
-harvest compost crops, build compost piles
-make retaining wall out of waste wood
-fill low-lying beds with soil
-plant corn, quinoa, melon, peas
-plant blueberries, trees
-finish install water catchment system (need someone who can do gutters--we have the materials!)
-work on irrigation system
...and more!
From our last work day in April:
Also, come see Novella Carpenter at the Redwood Little Theater, May 22 @ 6pm:
Thursday, April 24, 2014
Work Day this Saturday, April 26, Rain or Shine!
Come to the SustAg Farm Work Day this Saturday from 9am-12pm.
We will plant some starter plants, harvest some compost and food crops, and plant some seedlings. Other odd jobs may happen as well, depending on interest and attendance (we expect fewer students with the prom happening on Saturday night). Rain is expected Friday, but it should be clear on Saturday. Regardless, we will be out there having fun. Don't miss it!
Next work day will be May 17th, with a final work day for the school year likely in early June.
Thank you for your support and interest!
We will plant some starter plants, harvest some compost and food crops, and plant some seedlings. Other odd jobs may happen as well, depending on interest and attendance (we expect fewer students with the prom happening on Saturday night). Rain is expected Friday, but it should be clear on Saturday. Regardless, we will be out there having fun. Don't miss it!
Next work day will be May 17th, with a final work day for the school year likely in early June.
Thank you for your support and interest!
Friday, March 21, 2014
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