Diamond Fruit Growers donates apples!

Always excited to support the local Hood River schools, Diamond Fruit Growers is donating a box of apples for todays lunch!  Diamond Fruit has supported the HRMS garden program a number of times by donating fruit for baking in the cob oven, making cobblers, and just snacking!

Day #5: We welcomed rain

Leeks, winter roots, and Kale Rabb from Wildwood Farms

After last weeks education talk from Wildwood Farms, we wanted to munch on some of their suggested seasonal vegetables.  For snack we mixed olive oil and balsamic vinegar into purple, orange, and yellow carrots; along with blue, white, and brown potatoes for an incredible vegetable bake.  We also munched nibbled on a variety of breads from the local bakery, Knead.

Austyn challenges Gorge Grown Kids

Austyn, a sophomore at Hood River Valley High School and owner of Austyn's Backyard Garden Produce Stand, shared with us his short history of becoming a local food production entrepreneur.  Austyn began gardening as a small child, but really honed his stills at Hood River Middle School, under Mr. Becker's guidance.  Austyn is now involved in FFA, has his own produce stand at the local farmers market, and paying off his recently purchased Volkswagen Bug.


Austyn also challenged us to a relay race.  Each group had a stack of cards with pictures of items we use everyday - toothpaste, can opener, t-shirt.  We had to determine if these items came from a store, earth, farm, or factory.  Most the items were placed in the 'store' bucket.  However, Austyn helped us realize that all items either came from earth or farms, but we are accustomed to purchasing these items in the store, not realizing where they originate.

Richard, Claire, Lucas, Nate, and Muir digging behind HRMS.

Our new weather vane.  Head of a panther, tail of a fish.  We call it 'Panfish'.

Buffing-out sharp edges on sprinklers

"Flowers" by Alexa, Ella,
Sara, and Katlyn

"Floppy the Fish" designed by Levi & Will

MacRae helping Zach install "Zen"

Today April's showers rained down.  However, a little warm rain only brought an elevated level of excitement and fun.  We continued installing metal-art sprinkler-installations, secured the new 'Panfish' weather vane, finished plantings seed flats in the greenhouse, and digging holes for various reasons.

A perfect day to finish sowing seeds

Thank you second week partners!

Alexa & Veronica
of Veronica's Salsa

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