Day #8: Garden Party With Family & Friends

Mark of a happy ending

Today our magical ride came to an end.  Some Gorge Grown Kids were so surprised by the last days arrival that they asked to return next Tuesday to just work and hang-out in the garden.  It's a community garden and everyone is always welcome.


But first, Brian from Hood River Organics stopped by to entice us with his weekly CSA box and explain the dynamics of mushroom farming.  Gorge Grown Kids were fascinated by a portobello mushroom merely being an over-grown crimini.  This simple fact kept questions coming for 20 minutes!

Brian from Hood River Organics

Preparing for our garden party, some last minute preparations took place including hanging the new Tyvek garden flags, mixing dirt for the new raised beds, and hooking-up the last sprinkler to our water source.  However, today mother nature took care of watering the plants.

Shelly hanging garden flags

Gorge Grown Kids are not possible without the incredible adults in their lives.  Today we gave garden tours and enjoyed a pot luck with our families.  Within moments of this picture, the clouds opened-up and torrential rains came.

Parents join their Gorge Grown Kid

Shelly's famous
asparagus 

Before...

Spinach and
strawberry salad

The infamous
Pear Pizza!

After.

Our Team - Ms. Segal, Todd, Shelley,
MacRae, Mr. Becker

Day #7: Sunshine & Water - Watch It Grow

MacRae surprises Mr. Becker with
a new garden-bell... and the fun begins!

Our last week of Gorge Grown Kids began with a ring!  For years Mr. Becker has wanted a garden-bell and once mentioned it to MacRae, years ago.  Today MacRae surprised Mr. Becker with his long-awaited wish.

But first, Lauren and Dani from OSU Extension Services discussed possible classes Gorge Grown Kids could participate in to learn more about canning preserves, growing chickens, and much more.

Lauren and Dani from OSU Extension Services

 Out in the garden, we are continuing to build vertical structures for growing vine plants, creating shade throughout the year, and keeping our production foods watered.

Garden going up, up, up...

Materials found in a dumpster become an new arbor:
Gorge Grown Kids experience first-hand meaning of 'reuse'

Grow. Learn. Smile. Sun.  Every loved garden deserves well-wishes, so Shelly continues to share the wonders of Tyvek through creating flags with garden images and words of inspiration.

Nicki and her cherries
inspired flag

Ella sewing her flag

Elizabeth and Alicia
cutting Tyvek

Kiki and Shelly cutting garden flags

Potluck this Thursday at 4:30pm!

This Thursday, April 26, will sadly be our last day of Gorge Grown Kids: "From the Ground Up" project.  All Gorge Grown Kids family members are invited to a potluck and tour of our new garden art.

We will still begin Gorge Grown Kids after-school with an education speaker, then finish any last minute projects/clean-up, and then potluck together around 4:30pm.  

Any type of potluck item is welcome.  We will provide drinks.  In theme with our program, a great challenge would a potluck item made from locally grown fruits or vegetables! 

2012 "Procession of Species" Earth Day Parade

Gorge Grown Food Network in the Earth Day Parade

Levi of the crocodile species

Alden ready to march

Gorge Grown Kids: Amy, Zach, Levi, Leif,
Alden, Brynan, Sara, and Claire

"Hug Your Local Farmer"

Leif ready to ride

Leading the procession

Our side-kick, 'George
the Strawberry'

Michelle, from Gorge Grown
Food Network, and Gorge Grown
Kid, Amy

Day #6: Seeds, Sprinklers, & Spirit!

One of those days

It was one of those days when we needed lots of garden boots and a great attitude.  The warm rain kept us in whimsical spirits.  We began today with a yummy cheese treat from Trout Lakes, Cascadia Creamery and donated pears from Diamond Fruit.  For the first time in many of our lives, we discussed how cheese is made, how to enrich flavor, and ways to serve cheese to enhance taste - essentially we "developed our palates".  We then dove into bread from Knead Bakery, located in downtown Hood River.

Maya Trook, local teacher and farmer

Maya Trook, local teacher and farmer, today's education speaker asked us, "Why should we save seeds?" 

Answers included:

• Save money
• Know where food and seeds come from
• When we save seeds from our own garden, we can choose plants we know grow well in our micro-climate
• Secure genetic diversity
• Self-sufficiency

Maya shared that 100 years ago, there were over 1500 varieties of plants.  Today there are only 30.  Also, over 50% of calories consumed by humans come from 4 plants: corn, rice, wheat, and soy.  Problems are arising in modern humans, because we are losing the ability to digest foods made from these 4 plants.

By saving seeds, we can continue to have plant diversity in our daily diets.  Maya encouraged us to grow and save seeds from rare heirloom plants.  Pepper and tomato seeds are especially easy for anyone to save.

Richard and Muir measuring
for new cedar raised beds



Ben sawing new cedar raised beds

 





We then headed into the garden for more planting, growing, music making, art-ing, and much more!

Leif relocating 'Panfish'



MacRae and the newly located 'Panfish'





And when the rain became too much, we came inside to silkscreen shirts in preparation for the "Procession of Species" Earth Day parade.



Gorge Grown Kids silkscreened image



Many hands needed to silkscreen







 



Todd and Michael always brainstorming



Cascadia Creamery spoils us!

We received an unexpected surprise from Cascadia Creamery today!  John brought us some locally crafted artesian cheese from his Trout Lake creamery.  We savored the Adams Alpine and Sleeping Beauty, but the Gorge Grown Kids fancied the Italian Herb - scouring the room for leftovers.

Thank you so much to John and Marci for their wonderful nosh!

Cheeses dropped off by John today

Sunday, April 22nd - Earth Day Parade Opportunity

Sunday, April 22nd Gorge Grown Kids have the opportunity to participate in the Hood River Earth Day "Procession of Species" parade.  This is an optional activity that starts at 3pm.  We will meet at 2:45 in the Horse and Hound parking lot, 403 Oaks Street, Hood River.

Gorge Grown Food Network is sponsoring this community event.  Gorge Grown Kids will march behind a banner, carry signs with veggies on them, and family-friendly fun slogans such as “Food are species too!” or “Hug your local farmer!”

List of events:

2pm: Costume making & activity booths

3pm: Procession begins

3:40-5pm: Earth Day celebration continues

6pm: Saving the Bees documentary at Columbia Center for the Arts

If Gorge Grown Kids want to wear a 'Gorge Grown Kids' logo t-shirt in the parade, they can bring a blank shirt to school before Friday morning.  Please have them tape their name, silkscreen color wanted (black or green), and indicate logo on front or back of shirt.