Greetings friends and supporters of 21 Acres.

Fresh News

• Washington State University AgWeatherNet recently selected 21 Acres as a site for a regional weather station. (see photo) West side agricultural producers are now better able to access timely weather information, thanks to the addition of new monitoring stations to Washington State University’s AgWeatherNet system. The stations are equipped with sensors for monitoring and recording air temperature, wind speed and direction, relative humidity, solar radiation, leaf wetness, soil temperature and moisture to a depth of eight inches, and rainfall.  
           The weather station recently installed atop the Garden Shed (donated by Jim Tedford) also plays an integral part in our weather data. This weather station will analyze data in the front acreage of the farm and for the wildlife corridor thus providing accurate information in two varied locations. This weather station info will eventually be accessible to the public at 21acres.org.                             Full story.

• The Interra Project serves a diverse population through the Puget Sound Community Change Program http://www.pugetsound.cc; locally-focused, socially and environmentally responsible businesses; schools; non-profit organizations; inter-spiritual communities, and supportive government agencies working together for a just and lasting change in the Puget Sound region. 
  

21 Acres in the News

Recent media attention to some of our local issues include: 

Seattle Post-Intelligencer, July 21 - Saving rain: How much is too much? - Rainwater collection system at 21 Acres - Collecting large amount runs afoul of 'archaic' law.  The rainwater collection system featuring the Living Roof on the 21 Acres Garden Shed.

Seattle Times/Northwest Life - Green Acres: We are (almost) there; Get a taste of country life at some of Washington’s 33,000 plus farms.

The Woodinville Weekly with features on our Farm Tours, Sustainable Saturdays, Solar Energy. Thank you for supporting our news and events community wide!

KOMO TV 4 – News reporter, Michele Esteban; Topic: How climate change impacts farming

KOMO 1000 News, Corwin Hoeck; Topic urban agriculture; rainwater and conservation systems

AM 1090 KPTK - Reporter & News Director, Lee Callahan; Topic: urban agriculture and urgent need for solar

Seattle PI – The Teen Zone: Health & Nutrition section; featuring SAS students on the farm at 21 Acres

Comcast Cares Day video segment featured on Comcast On Demand (to view: main Comcast On Demand menu; go to Get Local; Comcast Channel; Comcast Cares Day; 21 Acres)

Community Garden Summer Update

Written by elementary school student, Teddy Olson, who gardens with his family in plot 66/68.

Thank you to all the gardeners who have put down black plastic or bark to keep the weeds in the pathways to a minimum. It makes our garden look much tidier. I would also like to ask everyone to keep any plants from escaping into the pathways where they could be damaged or tripped on since I'm sure nobody would like that. It would also be much appreciated if you could store any gardening supplies or materials in your garden plot or at home and not on the pathways next to or behind your plot. (Note from the editor: Safety first!)

DANGER!  In my garden plot I have planted wildflowers, and so far I cannot tell what the difference is between a wildflower or a weed!  Right now it looks like I'm growing weeds, but they sure are healthy. Last year I didn't have any manure in my plot, but this year, there's manure in it, so my weeds are growing wonderfully.

Be sure to stop by and check out the Children's Garden (71/73). My little sister loves to go there every time we're there. Also, say HI to the goats and sheep (but please don't feed them!)

(Thank you, Teddy, we’ll look forward to future garden news!)

   
Ewes grazing in Orchard Phase II location.     

Rob Michalson, one of the new 17 community gardeners/families at 21 Acres this season.

Don’t forget to practice conservation watering techniques in your homes and gardens. Avoid mid-day watering due to high evaporation on hot sunny days. Build your soil with compost to lower water needs. Read more conservation tips from the Woodinville Water District.

Shop in 21 Acres Style!

The 21 Acres grocery bag features artwork by 1st prize winner, Torquil Carmichael.

The long awaited eco-friendly grocery bags have finally arrived! Made in the USA of 100% organic cotton, the reuseable, 17 x 17 sturdy, gusseted bag was the brainstorm of 21 Acres volunteer, Mandy Cufley, who wanted to instill in our youth the enjoyment of planting, nurturing and eating freshly grown food in our community. Raising awareness for 21 Acres, Cufley spearheaded the project with the “Come On Let’s Grow” youth art contest bringing in more than 200 entries from Northshore elementary students which were showcased throughout the Sammamish Valley for a week in May.

The bags are available for purchase for $10 (including tax) at upcoming 21 Acres events. Bags may also be purchased on-line at the 21 Acres Gift Registry for $15 (includes tax, shipping and handling). All proceeds from bag purchases will benefit 21 Acres and the Community Garden providing locally grown food to the community.

Upcoming Events

• 21 Acres featured in annual Farm Walk Series - Farmer-to-Farmer: Passing on the Wisdom; Monday, August 18, Noon-3:30 p.m. (brown bag lunch)

• Woodinville Chamber of Commerce After Hours, Thursday, August 28, 5-7 p.m. An informal networking opportunity for Chamber Members and guests.

• Sustainable Saturday, September 6,  11 a.m. – 21 Acres Farm Tour

An opportunity for the community to learn and participate in a variety of activities showcasing and demonstrating sustainable agriculture and environmental stewardship. In addition to an official  Farm Tour at 11 a.m., farm demonstrations and livestock presentations, volunteer work projects are also planned. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Sammamish Valley 4-H  will offer  livestock demonstrations; project updates and organization information. 



Time, Treasures & Talents

• Thank you to Grant Carr for for doing an amazing jobs not only learning about apiaries on his own, but also managing the 21 Acres Apiary. 

• The new bridge you see near the kiosk, is the completion of an Eagle Scout project by Patrick Quinn.

• A special thank you to the following donors this month: Nanette Bassett, Janet Boguch, Judy Courshon, The Grape Choice, John Hughes, Gary Whitsell, Eastside Greendrinks, Seattle Greendrinks, Microsoft Matching Gifts, Washington Women’s Foundation

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

It’s a Fact

Every one calorie of food costs ten calories of energy!

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