Document Actions

Fresh at 21 Acres Newsletter – May '08

Greetings friends and supporters of 21 Acres.

Fresh News!

Goats are being re-introduced to the south Orchard by the Sammamish Valley 4-H. Livestock grazing provides a useful and important alternative for managing orchard ground cover. Studies have shown sheep and goats to be most effective in meeting sustainable agriculture objectives for organic orchards.
The next step in the new Permaculture Garden, is the installation of the drip irrigation system, connecting the water to the farm via the solar powered pump on the storage tank.
Completion of the Garden Shed interior will begin June 15th with assistance from volunteers from Google on June 20th. The denim insulation and vapor barrier was installed during Comcast Cares Day, along with the Weather Station.

L-R: Denim installation installed at Comcast Cares Day. Jim Tedford readying the weather station for installation. (Thanks also to Jim for it’s purchase!)

Hands on Learning AT 21 ACRES

Community volunteers make a difference!
“Education, work and fun” is how recent service learning days are being described. More than 17,000 volunteer hours have been logged at 21 Acres since 2006. Read more

SAS students in the Native Plant Demonstration Garden at a their service learning event.

Building Update and Solar Need

The new state-of-the-art “green” agricultural building will be among the first in the nation to achieve “platinum” LEED certification. Scheduled to break ground in February/March 2009, the facility will house a year-round farmers market, a community kitchen for small-scale processing of value-added products, desperately-needed cold storage facilities for agricultural products and a community learning center for those already-successful classes. The ag building will feature the largest solar system planned for the Puget Sound area, and 21 Acres is currently seeking donations for this most pressing need. Make a contribution to solar power

The Business of Farming

A new program on business systems for farmers and small scale businesses is being spearheaded by Claire Thomas, 21 Acres Board member and owner of Root Connection. Tracking revenues, expenses and data collection are necessary tools for successful farming. Read more

Vincent Felice teaching best farm practices to local students.

The Beginnings of the Farm Camp at 21 Acres

Two acres near the Spiral Garden are being dedicated to a new Farm Camp program at 21 Acres. Spearheaded by chef, Emily Moore, the camp will offer educational opportunities for youth to connect with their food, from growing to eating. Read more

Emily and SAS students clearing land for new farm camp.

Time, Treasures & Talents

THIS JUST IN – Woodinville Rotary announces 21 Acres scholarship – The Greater Woodinville Rotary Club has established an endowment in support of agriculture education through the Northshore Scholarship Foundation. The first scholarship from this $25,000 endowment will be awarded in 2009 and is for students seeking an educational experience involved programs at 21 Acres. The Foundation is operated in a community partnership of the Rotary clubs of Northshore and Woodinville and the Kiwanis Club of Northshore.

A special thank you to the the 300 Comcast employees, families and friends who participated recently in Comcast Cares Day. Read more

A special thank you to the following donors this month: Julie Boselly in memory of Carol Edwards, Lucy DeYoung, Christy Diemond, Jennifer Ellestad, Jean Fowler in memory of Karen Forys, Jon Gold, Salena Goudreault, Jan Keller, Jason Keyes, Angela Peace, John Reiher, Mary Ann Retailliau, Helen Russell, Sammamish Valley Grange, Woodinville Barnes and Noble and Woodinville Montessori School

Thank you to all who have contributed to 21 Acres including our volunteers, interns, school classes and community groups.

How can you get involved at 21 Acres?

Join the Board of Directors; participate on the Advisory or Programs Committees; volunteer for individual and group projects; purchase items from the Gift Registry; and, of course, with your financial contribution!

Upcoming Events

Saturday, June 7, 11 a.m. – 21 Acres Farm Tour
Wednesday, June 4, 7 p.m. & Saturday, June 7, 4:30 p.m. – Good Food, Seattle International Film Festival Premiere
Saturday, June 7, 4 – 9 p.m., Art & Agriculture Celebration in the Sammamish Valley

It’s a Fact

Every dollar you spend counts, because that dollar is supporting a company, which manufactures a product or service. So, for example, if you purchased Seventh Generation products last year here’s what your dollar went towards: saving 6,000 trees; 15,000 cubic feet of landfill space; 2,151,000 gallons of water; 13, 615 BTUs of energy; 4,000 gallons of petroleum; it prevented: 366 pounds of chlorinated hydrocarbons; 232 tons of greenhouse gas emissions; 11,000 pounds of chlorine; 114 pounds of VOCs; and 18,000 pounds of phosphates from entering our environment.

You have an opportunity to make an impact even if it seems like you’re only buying paper towels. Remember when buying locally, the dollars stay in your “community” and don’t go to pay energy costs in Arkansas or wages in China.

Thank you again! Gretchen Garth and the 21 Acres Board and Staff