Happy Valley Pride; July 1, 2009

Thirteen teenagers and three adults came to the farm last week. They were from the Independent Educational Program. They arrived at 9:30 a.m. and stayed until 11:30 a.m. When their teacher called and asked if he could bring them, I did hesitate. Even though I enjoyed their visit very much, I couldn't help wondering before they arrived just what would I do to keep them interested for two hours.

It turned out I had so much to share with them about farming that I could have gone on for another two hours.

I started off talking about the soil and how it was a living organism. I would ask questions and, of course, they had questions for me. We talked about what lives in the soil and so they learned about microorganisms. We talked about weeds and why they are important, but can also be a nuisance. They came up with some good answers so the morning went by quickly.

I let them taste my different berries, the Loganberries and Olallieberries. I even gave them a pound of blueberries to eat on the way back to school. I showed them how potatoes grow and they did not recognize the rhubarb plant. They learned the leaves from rhubarb are poisonous and I gave them a taste of the stem. I told them the stem was sour but then I realized they eat sour candy. They said it was good and not too sour.

I had them try a raw asparagus, which led us to talk about parts of the vegetables we eat. We eat the root of a carrot, the stem and flower of the asparagus, the leaf of the spinach.

As they were leaving I called out, "Who wants to be a farmer?"

One young man raised his hand.

I received a letter a couple of days later thanking me for sharing the farm with them.

I had ordered some special blueberry plants from Washington State that were supposed to arrive in the fall. This time, I was going to make sure I had my irrigation in and the ground ready to plant.

You guessed it, they arrived today.

No, I am not ready for them.

I will have to pot up 100 plants tomorrow and allow them to get used to our heat before I plant them in the fall. A farmer's job is never done.

This Saturday, I will be going to Red Bluff for the "Field to Fork" event and put up a Happy Valley Farm Trail display and hand out Farm Trail Maps. The farmers produce is coming in, so if you want a map, give me a call and I will let you know where you can get one.

I'm out of here. The hour is late and I'm headed for bed. Five a.m. is just five hours away.

Recycle, volunteer, and pray for our country, our servicemen and our servicewomen.