FARM BOX PROGRAM CONTINUES WITH MAY 21 HARVEST BAG

Students were unable to participate in the third sale of produce from their Pacific Beach High School Garden because of ongoing school closure. But City Farm part-time staff and volunteers harvested and packed bags for happy customers recruited through the  marketing element of their "Farm" class established earlier in the year by enterprise instructor Jen Dudley.

The bags included squash, chard, kale, scallions, artichokes, carrots, beets, three kinds of lettuce, fava and green beans, and herbs and flowers.

The hope is to maintain and improve this direct marketing program for the community until students return again.

OUR NEW TENANT, MARIPOSA EDUCATION!

As of this month, a new educational program will join the community of farmers and teachers at City Farm. Centering on a biodynamic garden and Waldorf-inspired curriculum taught by certified Waldorf teachers, Shea St. John and Karina Cardin, Mariposa Education promises to add a surprising energizing element to our mix.  Check out their wonderful website--https://mariposacentralcoast.org/ and Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mariposa.education

FAMILY FARMING

City Farm's tenants engage their families in the fun, rigor, and satisfactions and disappointments of working the land. Meet two of those families:

The Basurtos of Basurto Family Farms

At left Noemi, April, Jonathan and Joshua.  At right, Jonathan, Joshua and Mom, Perla Cruz.  Their dad and husband, Abimael, (not available for photo at this time) grows organic zucchini and other commodity crops on his four acre holding.

Katie Ikard of Fox and Rye Farm

At left, Katie, the head farmer, and her husband, Stefan. At right, daughters Ilse and Anneke

Starting here from scratch in January 2020 after leaving behind her urban farm in Portland, Katie and her crew are making great progress growing many crops using no-till methods and hand tools on 2 acres. Check out her Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/foxandryefarm/

CITY FARM EDUCATIONAL GARDENS

After filling Farm Boxes and Bags, staff and volunteers continue harvesting and donating surplus vegetables to the Food Bank, Homeless Shelter, and Salvation Army (about 150 lbs. in May). 

Board member and regular volunteer, Linda Halisky, sets seeds for acorn squash, and Shane Lovell constructs trellis for tomatoes.

Pest pressure from cucumber beetles and cabbage caterpillars has been cruel this spring.

We fight back with row cover, mini vacuum, squeeze patrol, and homegrown garlic-cayenne spray.

 For the whole story in pictures, check out our Flickr site and/or our Instagram feed.