Day #4: Tools needed for local success

Paul and Laurel from Wildwood Farms

Wildwood Farms is a small, locally owned outfit with only two workers - owners Paul and Laurel.  Gorge Grown Kids: "From the Ground Up" are learning that Hood River County has a variety of farms, from large-scale internationally-distributing orchards to small production farms that distribute mostly through local CSA's (Community Supported Agriculture).  Paul and Laurel farm a 2-acre plot of land that produces a large variety of seasonal vegetables.  Today they shared their history as farmers, their favorite seasons crops, and the tools they use to be successful.

Ella and MacRea cutting-out
a weathervane

Mr. Becker helps Muir, Alden,
Sam, and Alonzo build a trellis

Shelly advising Nicki, Amy,
Lauren,  Kiki, Erin, and
Sara on Tyvek tree design

The more we learn about our community, the more we are inspired to support and be active in the Columbia River Gorge.  After we begin each day with snack and an education talk, our excitement is channeled into our projects.  Each day the Hood River Middle School Community Garden becomes a more dynamic space.

Richard, Skyler, Joey, and Nate 
digging for a pond installation

"Moon slash" sprinkler hooked-up and ready

Wanting to access primarily local Gorge businesses for our daily snack, this week a Gorge Grown Kid, Alexis, donated her families salsa - Veronica's Salsa and chips from Juanita's.  Shelly also concocted an incredible bean soup to accompany the meal.  As always, Brian's Juice donated sweet and delicious apple juice.


Shelly's Black Bean Soup

Black beans (turtle beans) dry, then soak overnight

Sautéed onion and garlic

Tomato paste

Fresh squeezed orange juice

Roasted green chilies

Chili powder

Lime

Shelly, Ms. Segal, and Alexa serve-up
yummy bean soup with
Veronica's Salsa & Juanita's Chips

Cumin

Thyme

Parsley

Cilantro

Cream

Salt

Spring has sprung

A sneak peak...

MacRae hard at work

Kid-generated elaborate
sprinkler design

Stopping by MacRea's welding shop yesterday, I got a preview of more kid-designed sprinklers under welding construction.

Ms. Segal gets in on the action

Day #3: We're growing up!

Today, Lisa from Cody Orchards shared with us stories about life on her family farm.  Hood River County is the largest producer of pears in the world and Cody Orchards has been an important orchard for growing pears, for decades.  Lisa has been working her families land since she was a young girl - painting baby trees and tapping gophers.  She encouraged us to eat, grow, and cook with locally grown fruits and vegetables.  

Lisa from Cody Orchards

Our garden Gorge Grown Kids: "From the Ground Up" program goal is for kids to develop project that move the HRMS garden and green house up!  Shapes and sizes of recycled metal, along with nature, inspired our sprinkler designs.  After polishing the welded joints, our first round of sprinklers were installed.  Come by the HRMS community garden to check them out!

"Moon Slash" designed by Megan, Claire,
Richard, Gustavo, Anthony,  & Michael

"Wind Blown Tree" designed by
Bergen, Rose, Brynnan, & Lauren

"Goldfish" designed by Amy,
Kiki, Erin, and Nicki

Summer Squash

Planting for the future.  Meanwhile, Shelly worked with students on cutting shapes and creations using a medium called Tyvek.  Tyvek is impervious to moisture, can't be ripped, and colorfast.  This material will be used to create prayer flags and a garden banner.  Eventually students will apply their learning to designing the new Gorge Grown Food Network truck mural.






Thank you to Veronica's Salsa for donating four gallons to our program.  Veronica's Salsa is a local Hood River business and her daughter, Alexa, is in our program!

Thank you for an incredible first week!

The Gorge community is amazing!  Thank you to the following for volunteering, donating, and supporting the Gorge Grown Kids: "From the Ground Up!" program.

Double Mountain

Day #2: Building Community Bridges

Rutabaga. Purple carrot. Turnip. Collard green. Kale. Leek. Parsnip. Blue corn. Mizuna rabb. Red beets. White beets. Black garbanzo beans.

Tim and Ben, of Saur Farms, whimsically taught about the nutritional value and pleasures that comes from eating these locally-grown, in-season vegetables.  They further discussed how their gardening hobby has become a life-passion and source of income.  Instead of owning a farm, the Saur brothers lease, borrow, and occupy friends’ space for their local business.  The Gorge Grown Kids are learning they can grow food anywhere!   

After a pizza (Double Mountain dough), Hood River Organics Fortune apples, and a kiwi snack, we broke into project groups.

MacRae at work

MacRae supplied us with recycled metal pipes to help us begin designing our sprinkler-sculptures.

Discovering paper cut-techniques, Shelly guided us to use black paper, as a medium, and an X-acto blade to create a foundation for our garden mural. 

Audrey's relief-cut carrot

Shelly helping Katelyn

Mr. Becker had us preparing the fish tank system for start-up, mixing potting soil, designing a weather vane, and preparing seed flats for spring planting. 

Ella, Megan, & Claire designing a weather vane

Fish tank action

Alden, Levi, & Matthew mixing potting soil

Day #1: The Brainstorming Begins

The Hood River Middle School community kitchen is complete!!  We broke in new space by preparing our snack of pizza (Double Mountain dough), sliced apples from Hood River Organics, and Ryan's Juice.

A perfect April day to begin the Gorge Grown Kids: "From the Ground Up" program.  Todd, from Gorge Grown Food Network, welcomed HRMS and Wy'East students to the program by connecting local food production to students lives.  He began by asking everyone who knew where their breakfast was grown to raise their hands.  Then had us keep hands raised if our breakfast was from the Columbia River Gorge.  Finally, he challenged us to name the farmer who grew/produced our breakfast.  A few of us ate homegrown eggs and/or local apples today.  

Michelle, also from Gorge Grown Food Network, further kindled our curiosity with a game comparing plants that can and can't be grown in the local climate.

 

In the garden, we began brainstorming our welded sprinklers and other garden projects.  MacRae, our metal artist, was amazed by our participants.  Every idea he discussed was quickly elevated by our incredibly creative middle school  participants. Here we go!

Gorge Grown Kids: "From the Ground Up" Begins Tomorrow!!

At 3:15 meet in Room 200 (Ms. Segal’s room), where Todd and Michelle from the Gorge Grown Food Network will discuss our regions agricultural scene.  Bring an empty belly. We will snack on pizza (Double Mountain dough), Hood River Organics Fortune apples, and Ryan’s Juice.  Then we will head to the garden to begin projects.

We will work hard from 3:15-5:15pm.  If needed, the 5:15 Activity Bus will pick-up at HRMS and take students to the high school for transfers to home routes and Wy'East Middle School.

Bring your “drop-off” work clothes - including shoes, shirt/jacket, and gloves (if wanted).  Be prepared for cold, wet, and FUN!