Fresh News from 21 Acres

• Orchard apple tasting:

The community took part in a fall apple tasting at 21 Acres in conjunction with a recent orchard class on the cultivation and caring of Mason Bees. How did people vote on the selected varieties? Read more

Michele Lang and daughter prepare apples for tasting.

• Offer Your Time and Talents

By Shelley McIntyre, Community Gardener and 21 Acres Volunteer

As a volunteer at 21 Acres, I offer my time with student groups, arranged through the volunteer coordinator, Steven Dahl, to visit the farm. Steven pairs the school group with an age appropriate farm chore and if the chore is preparing and planting a garden, then I volunteer to be the person who guides the planting experience. The students open their ears, eyes, and skin to the stimulation of simply standing in the Sammamish Valley. They tour the 21 Acres site and see the community spaces and farming that occurs on site.

Secondary Academy for Success (SAS) students help on the farm.

21 Acres offers an opportunity to see native shrubs, hear native birds, smell the odors of the season and feel the breeze on their skin. When the students are given this chance to use their senses, they express curiosity and appreciation of the sensations of nature. Then comes the hard work. They are asked to weed and turn over the soil to prepare beds for planting.  They are still enthusiastic and they work well as a group. Their classroom familiarity translates well to the chores that are shared in the garden. One of the true pleasures of volunteering with school groups is to witness the cooperativeness that students express in a group.

After the soil is tilled and ready to plant, we all stand back and admire the look of healthy soil. Planning the lay-out of the garden is next and it is another moment to stand back and consider what will be where. We discuss what can be grown without added water. Then the chores are shared and the planting begins. Packs of plant "starts" are divided and planted.  Seeds are next.  We discuss when the next rain is likely...we want rain to sprout the seeds. The students feel the satisfaction of hard work and a fresh, young garden to show for it. They are welcome to return during the growing season and help harvest the produce. The day is a win/win for me as a volunteer: I get to share my love of edible gardening with students and I get to spend the day outside in the Sammamish Valley.
(See article following on the complete 21 Acres 2008 Summary Report.)

• 2008 Activity and Program Summary

Acknowledging the organizations mission to provide education and opportunities to the community in support of sustainable agriculture and the systems that support it, 21 Acres has completed a 2008 Activity and Program Summary Report.

In addition to these events, activities and programs, 21 Acres volunteers participated in numerous work parties and projects. More than 1300 hours were logged by students affiliated with an educational institution, not including class time for projects. More than 900 hours were reported as a part of youth programs.

Woodinville Montessori students work in the fields.

The Board of Directors, Staff and Program Committee extend their gratitude for the dedicated efforts and support of the 21 Acres mission. Read the complete Summary Report

• Help us Break Ground!

We would be honored if you would make one of your year-end gifts to 21 Acres.  This is a great time to think of all the ways 21 Acres makes our lives better and to act on your loyalty by making your gift of $1,000, $500, $250, $100, or any amount that is comfortable for you.  21 Acres is a nonprofit organization that depends on charitable gifts to continue our work. Read more about our Capital Campaign.

Make your year-end gift

Upcoming Events

• Monday evenings, January 5 through Feb. 2; 6:30-9:30 p.m.; Master Beekeeper Program, WSU Snohomish County Extension. Read more: http://www.21acres.org/master-beekeeper-program

• Saturday, February 7, 10 a.m. - Noon; 21 Acres Sustainable Saturday monthly series begins. Read more: http://www.21acres.org/21-acres-sustainable-saturday-series-begins

• Saturday, February 7; 9:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.; Climate Change: Global Connections and Sustainable Solutions. Read more: http://www.21acres.org/climate-change-global-connections-and-sustainable-solutions

Time, Talent & Treasure

A special thank you to all our donors this month who purchased items from our Gift Registry or through the King County Waste Free Gift program and to those who responded to our year end Capital Campaign appeal.

Donors this month include:

Denise Bugallo

Bill & Judy Courshon in the name of Gretchen Garth

Jennifer Ellestad

Brian Haberly

Mark McLelland in the name of Nancy McLelland

Anna Nelson

Dawn Pacheco in the name of Anna Nelson

Irmgard Tank

Claire Thomas

Tilth Producers of Washington

And, thank you to all who have contributed to 21 Acres including our volunteers, interns, school groups and community groups. Full list of contributors



Food for Thought/Pathway to a Sustainable Economy

As we see retail closing stores, the financial & real estate markets collapsing, remember that each item you purchase can help build the new economy in its place.  And though you may ask, how can I make any difference in these huge marketplaces?  Well, think about that cup of coffee – ask the barrister  if it’s Fair Trade and Shade Grown or if each of us remember to bring our coffee cup from home, numbers would have an impact.  So, you’re doing two things in one simple, everyday transaction: having a say in how coffee is produced and lessoning the number of paper cups used.  Paper cups address the larger issue of paper products we use every day.  Most of us are already using recycled paper and continue to incorporate additional ways in our daily routines to conserve timber by buying paper napkins or tissue paper from companies like Seventh Generation or looking for Forest Stewardship Certified or bamboo products.  The more of us that are paying attention and making “Conscious Choice” the more it all adds up.

This is one small example; just think of the dozens of products we use every day.  Each company or small business that produces, manufactures and distributes these products have values attached.  This is how you vote with each dollar that you spend, which goes towards business practices that you support.   As we rebuild the new economy, if you are informed, this is how each purchase you make can help grow the new economy into place.