Fall 2009 - Center for Agroecology & Sustainable Food Systems

12 Pages·2009·1.7 MB·English

News & Notes

of the UCSC Farm & Garden

Center for Agroecology
Issue 123, Fall 2009
& Sustainable Food Systems
A Sampling of Edible Plants
k
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– Sue Tarjan
Editor’s note: FNews & Notes contributor Sue Tarjan caught up with our peripatetic garden manager Christof Bernau to
ask him about some of the many native species that can thrive in local gardens, with a focus on edible plants that can nourish
both the gardener and native wildlife. Many thanks to Sue and Christof.
If you love our native plants, here’s another reason to grow them: many of them are tasty and nutritious!
Native wildlife find them equally scrumptious and will thank you for providing them with year-round sources of
food. So if you take pleasure not just in foraging for food but bird watching and other wildlife viewing, consider
cultivating some of the following hardy natives. The following plants, all native to our region, should prosper
in your garden when planted under suitable conditions, with minimal care and little to no water after their first
year in the ground. In determining what to plant where, the many books on gardening with natives can be your
guide, but even better would be to take a walk in the wilds around us to observe where these plants have planted
themselves and are now thriving.
Beloved by squirrels, jays, woodpeckers and humans alike, 29 species of oak are native to California. Acorns
from tanbark oaks (Lithocarpus densiflorus), evergreen members of the oak family, and true oaks (Quercus species)
were the staple food of native Californians. To prepare them, shell the nuts and grind them fine in a blender with
one cup nuts to three cups water. Store the meal and water mixture in the refrigerator, pouring off the water and
replacing with fresh every day for at least a week to leech out the tannins, which make them bitter and can cause
stomach upset. Once the acorns are leeched, they can be stored in the freezer or dried in the sun or the oven. (As
the meal dries, stir now and then to break up lumps.) The prepared acorns can be used in porridge, bread, cook-
ies, and more.
California black walnut trees (Juglans californica v. hindsii) are drought tolerant 30–60 foot deciduous shade
trees best viewed from a distance and situated away from houses, sidewalks, and driveways where their messy
nuts and leaves won’t offend. The nuts are small and must be pried out of thick, tough shells but have a lovely,
strong aroma and slightly bitter flavor much prized in black walnut pound cake, ice cream, and other desserts.
Ironically, black walnuts are currently under attack in the Western U.S. from a virulent fungal pathogen although
they were once commonly used as rootstock for English walnuts grown commercially here due to their resistance
to soil pathogens and tolerance for saline and saturated soils.
Big-cone pines (Pinus coulteri) and gray pines (Pinus sabiniana) both grow on the inner coast ranges of Califor-
nia and produce plentiful nuts. The gray pine thrives below 4,500 feet on dry slopes while the big-cone pine does
well up to 7,000 feet. California tribes particularly liked the nuts of the gray pine.
Western hazelnuts (Corylus cornuta v. californica) are comparable to but smaller than European hazelnuts or
filberts. These large deciduous shrubs or small trees are multi-trunked and grow in full sun near the coast with
partial shade preferred inland. They’re easy to grow and provide lots of nuts; however, like most of these native
plants’ nuts and berries, you’ll have to be quick to harvest them before the squirrels and birds do.
Blue elderberries (Sambucus caerula) may grow into 4–10 foot shrubs or 50-foot trees. Fast growing with bright
green foliage and creamy white flowers, they make attractive screens. Harvest the abundant berries when ripe
to make into delicious jam using equal parts sugar to berries. You’ll know it’s time when the canes are arching
and cascading from the weight of the fruit, and the berries are black to blue with a dusting of grey. This is a fairly
drought tolerant and long lived plant but prune out 1/3 of the old canes every year. Note that only the blue
berries are edible. All other parts of the plant are poisonous. All parts of red elderberry species, including the
berries, are poisonous.
continued on page 2
News & Notes
Huckleberries (Vaccinium ovatum), often found in California junipers, (Juniperus californica) though not
the redwood understory, are compact evergreen shrubs native to our immediate area, can be found in the inner
with small, shiny leaves, and are close relatives to the coast ranges north and south of the Monterey Bay. Their
cultivated blueberries so prized by chefs. They’re slow berries are wonderful flavoring agents in everything
growers that stay small in sun but grow to 8–10 feet in from gin to salad dressing.
shade. The berries are blue-black and delicious but often And let’s not overlook California bay laurel trees
not too abundant. (Umbellularia californica), neither for their beauty and
The evergreen hollyleaf cherries (Prunus ilicifolia) heady aroma nor for their use in cooking. The leaves are
produce edible cherries with big pits and are particularly tough and leathery but impart a delectable spicy flavor to
favored by birds. They are resistant to oak root fungus savory dishes of all kinds, particularly winter stews and
and grow 8–10 feet tall and wide in full sun to light dried beans. But beware: California bay laurel is around
shade. five times stronger than the European variety, so take it
Ribes species (currants, which are thornless, and easy.
gooseberries, which have thorns) all have edible fruit To find out more, check out Edible and Useful Plants
great for pies, jams, and jellies. They’re also an attractive of California by Charlotte Bringle Clarke, published by
landscape feature, with delicate cascading flowers that University of California Press. You’ll even find recipes to
appear in early spring. They like a bit of moisture in the whet your appetite!
summer but are quite drought tolerant in part shade.
There are seven native Rubus species in California,
all with edible fruit good for pies and jam, among them Mark your calendars! Some special events and
blackberries (Rubus ursinus), blackcap raspberries (Ru-
classes are coming up ...
bus leucodermis), salmonberries (Rubus spectabilis), and
thimbleberries (Rubus parviflorus). Most are brambles, but Fourth Annual Freewheelin’ Farm Show
thimbleberry is thornless and almost tropical in appear- Saturday, October 24, 12 noon – sunset
ance: it grows in shady areas under the redwoods 3–8 5221 Coast Road, Santa Cruz (5 miles north of
feet high with large, bright green, palmate leaves up to 5
Santa Cruz on Hwy 1)
inches across and 1–2 inch flowers that develop into rosy-
Enjoy more than 20 local artists, farm tours,
pink berries.
wood-fired pizza, kids’ activities, live music, wine
Manzanita (Arctostaphylos species), lemonade berry
and beer tasting, and lots of farm fun at Freewheelin’
(Rhus integrifolia), sugar bush (Rhus ovata), and twinberry
Farm. $5-$20 donation suggested. Learn more and
(Lonicera involucrate) all have edible berries that make
get directions to the farm at www.freewheelinfarm.
good preserves. Sugar bush and lemonade berries are
com.
tasty and refreshing eaten raw.
The wild grape (Vitis californica) is a favorite food Companion Bakers Baking Workshops
of wildlife that grows in sunny areas along streams and
October 2009 – March 2010
forest margins. A fast growing, vigorous vine, it will hap-
Local organic baking company Companion Bak-
pily clamber up fences or trellises to show off its bright
ers will offer a variety of baking classes in 2009 and
yellow fall color. The flowers are fragrant and the fruits
2010, including pastry, holiday baking, sourdough
are good, small and similar to wine grapes. They can be
basics, and much more. Classes start October 31. For
eaten raw or made into jelly.
details see the Companion Bakers website at www.
Rosa californica and other native rose species grow
companionbakery.com or email them for more infor-
easily in part shade with a little moisture. The rose hips
mation at [email protected].
have 24 times as much vitamin C as oranges and make
great tea. The petals and hips can also be eaten raw or Beginning Vegetable Gardening
made into jellies.
November 4 – December 9
Chia (Salvia columbariae) is a cute little annual sage
with little purple pompom flowers on 1–2 foot plants. Have you always wanted to grow your own
The yummy seeds are high in protein and omega 3 fatty vegetables and haven’t been sure where to start?
acids. They can be eaten right off the plant or ground into Save money, have fun, and learn to grow great tast-
a paste for spreading. ing veggies! This is a 4-week class designed for the
Another annual, miner’s lettuce (Claytonia perfolia- beginning gardener, and is aimed at preparing your
tum), so called because the Gold Rush miners enjoyed garden for winter and spring. Learn about planting
it, pops up all over our area in the spring. The succulent garlic, the benefits of cover crops, compost, and basic
leaves are rich in vitamins A and C and trace minerals maintenance. Register at www.santacruzparksan-
and can be put in salads or briefly stir fried. drec.com or call 831.420-5270.
2
UCSC Farm & Garden
Fall/Winter Calendar
Re-skilling Expo Fruit Tree Q&A Session
Saturday, October 17, 10 am - 4 pm Saturday, January 23, 10 am - 12 noon
United Methodist Church, 250 California St., ProBuild Garden Center, 235 River St., Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz (formerly Lumbermens/San Lorenzo)
A day full of demonstrations on how to reduce food costs Bring your fruit tree questions to this free Q&A session
and conserve water, including fruit tree care, beekeeping, with fruit tree experts from the UCSC Farm & Garden.
keeping backyard chickens and ducks, composting, and Learn about varieties that perform well on the Central
much more. The Friends of the UCSC Farm & Garden Coast, along with fruit tree care tips. Note the location:
will participate, with Friends’ Board co-president Mat- ProBuild Garden Center in Santa Cruz. Friends’ members
thew Sutton discussing backyard fruit tree care. Spon- receive a 10% discount on purchases.
sored by Transition Santa Cruz. For details, go to www.
transitionsc.org or call 566-8458. “Fruit Trees 101”: Basic Fruit Tree Care
“Fruit Trees 101”: Basic Fruit Tree Care Saturday, January 30, 10 am - 2 pm
Sierra Azul Nursery and Gardens
Saturday, January 16, 10 am - 2 pm
2660 East Lake Ave. (Hwy 152), Watsonville
Louise Cain Gatehouse, UCSC Farm
763-0939, www.sierrazul.com
Taught by Chadwick Garden manager Orin Martin and
A repeat of the January 16 workshop, this time at the
OrchardKeeper founder Matthew Sutton, this class will
Sierra Azul nursery, located across from the Santa Cruz
cover the basics of fruit tree care: selection, planting,
County Fairgrounds. A Q&A session with Sierra Azul
irrigation, pest management, and basic winter pruning.
staff will follow the workshop. Heavy rain cancels.
$15 for Friends’ members; $20 general public, payable at
Friends’ members receive a 10% discount on purchases.
the workshop. Dress for the outdoors and bring a snack.
Heavy rain cancels.
Other Fruit Tree Series Winter Workshops –
Choosing, Propagating, Planting, and
In-Depth Winter Pruning, Pome Fruits (Apples, Pears)
Saturday, February 6, 10 am - 2 pm, UCSC Farm
Caring for Roses
$15; $20 (rainout date = February 13)
Saturday, January 23, 10 am - 1 pm
Roses of Yesterday, 803 Brown’s Valley Rd, Watsonville In-Depth Winter Pruning, Stone Fruits (Plums, Peach-
www.rosesofyesterday.com, 831.728-1901 es, Nectarines, etc.)
Saturday, February 20, 10 am - 2 pm, UCSC Farm
Guinivere Wiley, owner of Roses of Yesterday, along with
$15; $20 (rainout date = February 27)
Friends of the Farm & Garden Board member Daniel
Paduano, will present this workshop on the various
classes of roses, and how to propagate, plant and care Fruit Tree Grafting, taught in collaboration with the
for them during their first year. Come enjoy the wonder- California Rare Fruit Growers
ful Roses of Yesterday garden and nursery as you learn March 6 (tentative date)
about these intriguing plants. $15 for Friends’ members; Live Oak Grange, 1900 17th Ave., Santa Cruz
$20 general public, payable at the workshop. Dress for $15 Friends of the Farm & Garden members;
the outdoors and bring a snack. Heavy rain cancels. For $20 general public; free for members of the CRFG
directions to the Roses of Yesterday nursery, please see Please note: this event’s date, location, and time have
their website, www.rosesofyesterday.com, or call 728- not been finalized; please check casfs.ucsc.edu or call
1901. 459-3240 in December for information on this class.
If you’d like more information about these events, need directions, or have questions about access,
please call 831.459-3240 or see our web site, casfs.ucsc.edu
Please note that we cannot accept credit card payments for classes or merchandise (cash or check only).
Co-sponsored by the Center for Agroecology & Sustainable Food Systems at UC Santa Cruz, and the Friends of the UCSC Farm & Garden.
3
News & Notes
The Natural History of the UC Santa Cruz
Thank You Harvest Festival
Campus, Second Edition
Supporters!
Edited by Tonya M. Haff, Martha T. Brown, and
W. Breck Tyler The annual Fall Harvest Festival once again
2008, Environmental Studies Department brought an enthusiastic crowd to visit the Farm on a
hot September Saturday.
University of California, Santa Cruz
Those attending enjoyed a day of great music,
Reviewed by Sue Tarjan
apple tasting, a pie-making class, a workshop on de-
signing your home garden, an herb walk and herb tea
Natural histories have always been among my fa-
making session, lots of kids’ activities, visits to the Life
vorite nonfiction choices because they are so inclusive
Lab Garden Classroom, along with campus and com-
in an age of relentless specialization. This book’s far
munity booths, fresh-made pizza, roasted corn, and
ranging topics include the human history of the UCSC
many other activities.
campus from 12,000 years ago to the present, geology,
The event once again featured a “Food for
plants, mushrooms, lichens, invertebrates, amphib-
Thought” forum, this year focusing on discussions
ians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. Appendices
of food memories, culture, and identity. We plan to
feature campus statistics and lists of plants, butterflies,
continue this forum at future festivals as we work to
amphibians and reptiles, birds, and mammals found
increase the focus on food system issues. Next year’s
at UCSC. The first edition of this natural history was
event will also include even more of an effort to build
published in 1982. Since then, much has been learned
our student audience at the festival.
about the natural resources of the site and how they
Business sponsors are a key to making the Harvest
are faring as UCSC expands. This edition brings much
Festival a success, and we very much appreciate the
of that information up to date.
support of our top sponsors, New Leaf Community
One of the book’s editors, Martha Brown, senior
Markets and Stonyfield Farm.
editor at the Center for Agroecology and Sustainable
Other generous business sponsors included Barry
Food Systems, comments on this second edition: “The
Swenson Builders, Joni Janecki and Associates, Peace-
campus is full of surprises ... our hope is that this book
ful Valley Farm and Garden Supply, and McEvoy
will help the reader discover UCSC’s rich diversity of
Ranch. Thanks also to the UCSC Campus Student
plants, animals, and geologic features, as well as learn
Environmental Council and the Food Systems Work-
more about its human history and the changes in the
ing Group for their financial support.
landscape through time.”
We also received generous product and gift certifi-
Monterey Bay area gardeners will no doubt pay
cate donations from Odwalla, Gayle’s Bakery, Suma-
particular attention to the ways that humans have so
no’s Bakery, Pacific Cookie Company, Newman’s Own
profoundly altered this location over the years be-
Organics, the Santa Cruz Farmers’ Markets, Bookshop
cause, after all, that’s exactly what gardeners do all
Santa Cruz, Phil Foster Ranch/Pinnacle Produce, Nub
the time—often without thinking about the long-term
Circus Chai, Brendan’s Bakery, Noah’s Bagels, Falcon
ramifications of their actions whether for good or ill.
Trading Company, the Herb Room, Staff of Life, and
To add to the book’s appeal, most local gardeners will
Trader Joe’s. Jim Rider of Rider and Sons provided
find that at least one of the myriad campus micro-
organic apples for making apple juice. Many thanks to
ecologies discussed herein resembles their own garden
all of these businesses for their support.
enough to enhance their stores of practical gardening
And a special thanks to Candy Berlin and the
knowledge.
UCSC Dining Services staff for helping us toward our
What most strikes me, however, is how this book
goal of making this a “zero waste” event, and to the
depicts the ancient, intricate dance among animals
UCSC Office of Physical Education, Recreation, and
and plants. Many books about landscaping and
Sport (OPERS) for their support.
garden design discuss soil, water, and weather; few
Thanks also to the many community members, ap-
that I’ve read delve into the interactions among living
prentices, UCSC students, and staff who volunteered
kingdoms so well. For example, here’s a fascinat-
over the course of the day.
ing excerpt describing the Spaniards’ introduction of
We look forward to seeing
livestock:
all of you at next year’s Harvest
The hooves and teeth of horses, sheep,
Festival!
cattle, and pigs greatly affected native plants’
distribution and abundance . . . . Domestic
livestock placed constant, intense pressure on
continued on page 12
4
UCSC Farm & Garden
Grow a Farmer Campaign a Success!
Apprentice Housing Project Underway
On September 13, UC Santa Cruz chancellor George Ta
n
Blumenthal and Center for Agroecology & Sustainable a B
u
Food Systems director Patricia Allen turned a symbolic tle
spade and forkful of soil on the site of what will be the r
Apprenticeship housing project at the UCSC Farm. The
groundbreaking—part of a celebration of the successful
Grow a Farmer campaign—represents the culmination of
years of effort to develop basic on-farm housing for partici-
pants in the Apprenticeship’s six-month, full-time organic
training program.
Although the University had approved plans for the
housing project, the timing for the needed fundraising did
CASFS director
not look good last winter as we entered the worst economic
Patricia Allen and
period in decades. At the Ecological Farming Conference in UCSC chancellor
January 2009, the Grow a Farmer Campaign was launched George Blumen-
to broaden the fundraising effort and enlist the help of thal break ground
former apprentices, Friends of the UCSC Farm & Garden, for the Appren-
and restaurants and businesses that care about sustainable ticeship housing
project as garden
food systems.
manager Christof
Soon a website was up and a calendar of fundraising
Bernau applauds.
events filled in through the work of many volunteers, staff,
and business supporters. The calendar’s 27 events included
10% benefit nights at restaurants like Chez Panisse and Natural Products Co-op. Five foundations came through
Jardiniere, house parties and garden pizza parties orga- with grants and gifts, the top ones being a $50,000 grant
nized by Apprenticeship graduates, a five-course dinner at from Newman’s Own and a $25,000 grant from Wal-
Pie Ranch organized by a UCSC student, and a grand finale lace Genetic Foundation. With an earlier contribution of
fundraiser at the top of the One Market Building in San $16,000 from the Friends of the UCSC Farm & Garden, over
Francisco with chef Mark Dommen. $440,000 was raised from all of the combined sources for
Business sponsors gave donations and did percent- the housing project. Please see pages 6–8 for a list of all the
benefit days. Organic farms and wineries—many of them business, restaurant, foundation, and individual contribu-
started and staffed by Apprenticeship alumni—gave prod- tors.
ucts for events. Countless volunteers chipped in to make
the events not just successful fundraisers but excellent Campaign Raises Awareness of Apprentices’ Work
showcases for organic, sustainable local food. Much more than funding came from this campaign—
Organizations and writers put the Grow a Farmer the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors declared June
campaign information in their newsletters, websites, and 2009 Grow an Organic Farmer Month. In his proclamation,
blogs. Fundraising letters and emails sent out to former Supervisor Mark Stone expressed appreciation for “the UC
apprentices and supporters were not just responded to but Santa Cruz-trained apprentices who have planted roots all
forwarded on to friends and family. Checks and online do- over the United States and in the world as they practice
nations came in at a steady clip from around the country. their innovative groundbreaking work in sustainable agri-
In all over 400 individuals contributed, with donations culture and food systems.”
ranging from $25 to $51,000. The top donors to the cam- The Grow a Farmer Campaign also demonstrated how
paign were 1979 apprentice and staff member Olivia Boyce many people care deeply that we continue the work of
Abel; 1978 apprentice Meg Hirshberg and her husband training new organic farmers and gardeners—and that the
Gary Hirshberg, founders of Stonyfield Yogurt; Friends of training effort remain a residential program. The on-farm
the Farm & Garden members Alec and Claudia Webster; housing will keep the program more affordable for trainees
and Susan and Franklin Orr, who were inspired to give by while allowing for an immersion learning environment to
a former apprentice. enhance the training.
Over 60 businesses also contributed to the campaign, In reflecting on his own experience as a 1997 Appren-
with the top business donation a $10,000 gift from Frontier tice, Don Burgett recalled the value of residential training:
continued on next page
5
News & Notes
“Living where you’re learning provides invaluable experi- training program held annually at CASFS. The construc-
ence in farming and land stewardship,” he said. “Obser- tion project, including the redwood and canvas cabins,
vation of the fields and ecology is key to farming success, solar shower, accessible parking and paths, and other in-
and it doesn’t start at 8:00 a.m. and stop at 6:00 p.m. frastructure, is now underway and is slated to be finished
weekdays. The type of deep connections that apprentices in time for the start of the 2010 Apprenticeship program in
make with each other and the land wouldn’t happen in a April.
commuter program.” We are incredibly grateful to everyone who has
With the construction of the permanent housing, helped provide housing for hundreds of beginning farm-
we will be laying the foundation for another 40 years of ers to come and a solid base of support for our growing
organic training at the UCSC Farm & Garden. Nine 4-unit work. For more information on the Grow a Farmer cam-
cabins will house 36 participants in the six-month organic paign, see www.growafarmer.org.
– Ann Lindsey
Businesses and Foundations Supporting the Grow a Farmer Campaign
Abounding Harvest Mountain Farm Natural Foods Co-op Rif Hutton
Achadinha Cheese Gabriella Café Ristorante Avanti
Acre Gourmet Garden for the Environment, River Café and Cheese Shop
Albert’s Organics San Francisco Roots of Wellness
AnEFX Gayle’s Bakery and Rosticceria Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing
Arkay Foundation Growing for Market (Fairplain Seeds of Change
Beckmann’s Bakery Publications) Shields Greenhouse
Bella Faccia Pizzeria Hair by Design SMP/SHG, Inc.
Blue House Farm Harb, Levy and Weiland LLP Soif Wine Bar and Merchants,
Bon Appétit Management Company Harley Farms and La Posta
Bragg Health Foundation Heath and Lejeune Sonoma Brewing/Dempsey’s Restaurant
Bread and Roses I-Rise Bakery Stonyfield Farm: Profit for the Planet
The Bread Workshop Jacobs Farm-Del Cabo Inc. Straus Dairy
The Buttery Jardiniere Swanton Berry Farm
Café Gratitude Johnny’s Selected Seeds Telepan Restaurant
Café Zazzle Kensington Marmalade Company TLC Ranch
California Organic Fertilizers Key Events, Inc. Troja Dairy Distributors
Camp Joy Garden Lakeside Organics Uncommon Brewers
Chance Creek Winery Live Earth Farm UCSC Dining Services
Charlie Hong Kong Love Apple Farm Veritable Vegetable
Chaya & Associates, Inc. Manresa, Chef David Kinch Wallace Genetic Foundation
Chez Panisse Mark Stephens Yoga Whole Foods Market
Christiansen Associates Gardens Mary Offerman Pastels Woodland Gardens
and Design Matthew Sutton Yoga
T
Chromagraphics McCrea Foundation a
n
Companion Bakers McEvoy Ranch a B
Costanoa Meder Street Farm u
Darren Huckle, L.A.C (herbalist) Mission Pie tler
Dennis Schirmer, Inc. Monterey Bay Certified
Dirty Girl Farms Farmers’ Market
Dreamcatcher Foundation New Leaf Community Markets
Driscoll’s Strawberry Associates New Natives
Earl’s Organic Produce Newman’s Own Foundation
Earthscapes Nordic Naturals
EcoTeas obaboa Foundation
Engfer Pizza Works One Market Restaurant
Epi Center Medspa, LLC Original Sin Desserts Bakery
Ethnographics Insight, Inc. Osmosis Day Spa
Everett Family Farm Outstanding in the Field
FarmHouse Culture Passion Purveyors
Feel Good Foods Peet’s Coffee
Fifth Crow Farm Phil Foster Ranches/Pinnacle Brand
Flea Street Café Pie Ranch Benefit Dinner with
Ford’s Filling Station Gabriella Café
Free Wheelin’ Farm Pizza Fino
Chef Jamie Smith generously donated his
Frey Vineyards Redwood Pizzeria
time and skills to prepare the September 13
Frontier Foundation/Frontier Renee’s Garden
groundbreaking celebration meal.
6
UCSC Farm & Garden
Individuals Supporting the Donald Burgett and Arlene Kozimbo Kevin and Eileen Goodwin
Grow a Farmer Campaign Gemma Burgos Barbara and Mark Gordon
Perdita Butler Ted Grand
Joel Aaronson
Tana Butler Laura Greeno
Walker Abel
Mark W. Campbell Michael Greenwald and
Ponce and Steve Abrahms
Nicole Capizzi Kara Hill
Barry and Mary Adler
Jeffrey S. Caspary Deborah Greig
Christine Ahn
Sandra L. Chidambaram Griffith Family Trust
Martha Ainsworth
Sandra Cohen David Griffiths
Laura and Mac Alie
Jen Colby and John R. Wilcox Kelsey Grout
Terry Allan
Joanna Colwell Thomas M. Grzinich
JoAnna Allen
Francis Corr Mounir Habib
Kim Allen
Elizabeth Cronen Todd Hamner
Larre and Thomas Allen
Ramsey Cronk Ruth and Harold Hanson
Page Allison Roper
Susan Curtin Terry and Carolyn Harrison
Daniel and Lynne Alper
Ann D’Apice Robert Hartman
Leland Alper
Julia Jarvis Dashe Judy and Allen Hasty
Ralph Alpert through the Spring Fund
Julia and Steve Davenport John Degge Hays
Claudia Altman-Siegel
Aaron Delong Suzanne Heinze
Phyllis Anderson and Alan Fahrenbruch
Pascale Dennery Letitia Hendershot
Sandy Armor
Carolyn Dille and Dirk Walvis Denny Henkel
Beth Austin
John and Ann Dizikes Julie Henney
Vivian Austin
Ted Dobson Leonard Herzstein and
Alice Lukens Bachelder
Nancy Dockter Sharon Sinderbrand
Pam Baggett and Chris Pokrifcak
Catherine Doe Trish and Eric Hildinger
Catherine Barr
Lissa Downey Meg and Gary Hirshberg
Caleb Barron
Julie Dryden-Brown and George Brown Catherine Hobley and Jim Nelson
Celia M. Barss
Shereen D’Souza Diane Hollister
Martha Barss
Kim Eabry Rebecca Hopkins
Karen Bayuk
Fred Eckert Darcy Ann Horton
Jessica Beckett
Jennifer L. Eckert Darren Robert Huckle
Lili Wenzel Beggs and Tom Beggs
Charlotte Karen Eggleston Gloria and Steve Hum
Lisa Behnke
Paula and Gary Evershed Kelly S. Humphry
David Beller
Richard E. Faggioli John Iott
Beth Benjamin
Jim and Paula Faris Deepa Iyer
Beverly Benjamin
Hannah Farley E. Izquierdo and E. Burton
David Berg
John and Maia Farrell Jennifer Jacobsen
Christof Bernau
Ann and C. Garrison Fathman Eric S. Johnson
Eric Biderman
Judith Feinman Patrick Johnson
Christine Bjorklund
Peggy S. Felix Grace E. Jones
Alexandra Blair
Donna Ferrari Paula Kay Jones
Janet Ruth Bohan
Gwendolyn and Drew Field Laura Juran
Jeannine Bonstelle through the Silent Gong Fund
Colleen Fleming Janet Kamiya
Boog Bookey
Doris Fodge Nicole Katano
Emily Bording
Josh Fodor Rebecca Katkin
Sade Borghei
Heidi Fosner Bruce and Mary Kehrer-Schneider
Jerry and Kay Bowden
Ken Foster Gwendolyn Keith
Olivia Boyce Abel
Philip Foster Jane Kenner and Neil Morse
through the obaboa Foundation
Heidi Fosur Yuki Kidokoro
Rebecca Bozzelli
Desiree and Robert Foxworthy Susan Kidwell
Elisa R. Breton
Emily Freed Jonathan Kilbourn and
Ashley Brister
Judith Fried and Bob Scowcroft Molly Hoadley-Kilbourn
David S. Brodkey
Cooper Funk Sora Kim
Andrew Brooks
Kate Funk Katherine Kinghorn
Alexander Brown and Vanessa Campbell
Gable Family Trust John Koene
Curtis E. Brown
Britt Galler Nina Koocher and Bernard Elbaum
Martha Brown
Jody and Adrian Garsia Eva Chava Kronen
Tom and Constance Broz
Judy Geer Chris Kruk
Madeleine Burbank
Todd Geiger Sobhani Ladan
Marcia Burch
Kathryn Mills Gestri Ross Lake and Claire Morelli
Sidney Burch
Elisabeth Gibans Joseph Michael Lambro and
Bruce Burgett
Vanya Rachael Goldberg Elizabeth Faust
continued on next page
7
News & Notes
Carolyn Lasar and Tressa Baden Phyllis S. Norris Stefan Schachter
Jeannine Laverty Kevin O’Connell Lisa E. Schaechter
Barbara J. Lawrence and Thomas O’Connor and Jim Schener
Patrick J. Devine Daphne Werth Brendan Scherer
Anna Lee Zach O’Donnell Dennis Schirmer
Thomas Jay Lee Mary Offermann and Lance Sims Priscilla Schleich and Nina Tanti
Bill Leland Fernando Ona Alan Schlenger and Susan Lysik
Corinne and David Leslie Colm O’Riain Martha and Seymour Schwartz
Janet Lever-Wood and Dan Wood Susan and Franklin Orr Clayton Scicluna
Jude Lichtenstein Robert Orrizzi Celia and Peter Scott
Patricia B. Lindgren Irene H. Osterbrock Michael and Isabelle Scott
Ann Lindsey and Peter Montesano Nancy Ottenstein Leigh Shields
Jim and June Lindsey Daniel and Nancy Paduano Daniel Shoag
Nancy and John Lingemann Debbie Palmer David Martin Silberman
Mark Lipson Chrislaine Pamphile-Miller and Jane Simpson
Linda Locklin David Miller Maya and Todd Sinderbrand
Eileen and Richard Love Dawni Pappas Sharon Sinderbrand and
Herb Machleder Damian Michael Parr Leonard Herzstein
Andrew J. Mackey Richard Pasetto and Sherry Palacios Joseph Kai Sloggy
Kurt A. MacLeod Andrea G. Pastor Tanya and Richard Slye
Amy Mark Darien Payne and Robert Tingleff Jennifer Smith and Nate Frigard
Jason Mark Erica Yih-Ming Peng Kirk Smith
Susan and Ronald Mark Anne Perkins Laura Smith
Lucy McBride Tracy E. Perkins M. Brewster and Deborah Smith
Sam McCarthy Jocelyn Ayn Perry Eleanor Snyder
John McDonough Emily Ann Peterson Leah Sokolofski
Geri and Paul McGillicuddy Susan L. Peterson Zea Sonnabend
Laura McKinney and David Blyn Elizabeth Phegan Jane Sooby
Akinwunmi K. McKinzie Coria Pierce Kate K. Stafford
Ashlie McLean Scott Pomeroy Audrey E. Stanley
Lori McMinn David Porchetta Barbara Steinberg
Richard D. Meacham Sarah Poriss Mark Evan Stephens
Janice Meerman Elizabeth Ann Powell Gabrielle Stocker
Susan Melican Richard and Trish Power Norman C. Stolzoff
Julie Meshchaninov Sarah Rabkin and Charles Atkinson Miriam Stombler
Albie and Mary Miles Blair Cameron Randall Claire Strader
Christine Miller Diana Redfern and William Parro Julie Stultz
Jennifer Beth Miller Heidi Renteria Mathew Sutton
Akiko Minami Irene Reti Richard Sutton
Marlene Mirassou and Steve Houlihan Carolyn Reynolds-Ortiz and Leo Ortiz Joan Tannheimer
Alicia Moore Amy Rice Jones Chris Taylor
Judith Moore Primavera Richeson Phyllis Taylor
Mary Morales Cindy Richter Rebecca Thistlethwaite and
Alexis Moran Laura Ridenour and Barry Tanaka Jim Dunlop
Judith Moran Steve Ridenour Patricia and Edward Titus
Gary Moro Amanda Rieux Angela L. Tomey
Kelly Mulville Alceu Volpe Rohrsetzer Kurt Waldenberg
William and Deborah Munno Jasmine Roohani Jerry and Robyn Walters
Steven Munno Tamara Rosenbaum Michael Walton and
Molly Nakahara Jeanne Rosenmeier Deborah Burns-Walton
Matthew Nathanson Chris Roth Bob Warfield
Lynne Clarissa Near Robin Roth Karen Washington
James Nelson and Teri Chanturai Nick and Ruth Royal Alec and Claudia Webster
Tom Nemcik Peter Ruddock Celia and Randolph Wedding
David and Megumi Newfeld Christopher Robert Ruehl Mary Megan Werner
Andrea Nguyen Paul and Holly Sadoff Evan White
Lydia and Dennis Nguyen Alan Sakimoto Virginia Willard
Diane Nichols Saldich Revocable Family Trust Helen Williams
Mark Nicolson Nancy Maxwell Saldich and Christopher Wilmers
Michael Nolan Alan Saldich Adam Yablonski
Suzanne E. Nolter Amy Sausser and Jerald Soto Kirstin Yogg
Maya Nordberg Scott Sawyer Michael Yogg
8
UCSC Farm & Garden
From the Valley Times
An article on Terra Bella Family Farm, started by
2002 Apprenticeship graduate Shawn Seufert, appeared
Apprenticeship
this summer.
Article by Larissa Klitzke
Updates Terra Bella Family Farm made its home in Pleasanton
three years ago, and still bills itself as the only family
farm in the city and the only Community Supported Ag-
riculture, or CSA, farm in the Tri-Valley area.
For $30 a week, Terra Bella offers produce subscrip-
tions to customers providing them a boxful of fresh fruits
From the UCSC News & Events website
and vegetables every week, April through November.
Vera Chang, who is is about to graduate from the
UC Santa Cruz [Apprenticeship] graduate Shawn
2009 Apprenticeship in Ecological Horticulture, has been
Seufert started the farm with 1 acre. He has since ex-
named West Coast Fellow by Palo Alto-based Bon Appétit
panded it to 3.5 acres, with 2.25 acres located in the Sunol
Management Company, a leader in the sustainable food
Agricultural Park and a smaller plot at Seufert’s home on
service industry. As one of three newly named fellows,
Foothill Road in Pleasanton, near Castlewood Country
Chang will work directly with farmers around the coun-
Club.
try to assess overall sustainability, including labor prac-
Terra Bella grows a variety of produce, including
tices in agricultural operations that supply the company’s
tomatoes, melons, peppers, squash, eggplants, cucum-
400 kitchens in 29 states. She has been hired for a one-year
bers, flowers, greens, and fresh herbs. The farm sells the
period with the possibility of renewal for a second term.
produce to more than a dozen local restaurants, as well
Chang, who is certified in permaculture design, was an
as at farmers markets in Livermore on Thursdays and
intern with The California Food & Justice Coalition and
Sundays and in Pleasanton on Saturdays.
was founder and president of Food Truth, a student orga-
But the bulk of Terra Bella’s business is its CSA
nization that focuses on food issues at Carleton College,
program, through which it provides subscribers with
her alma mater.
weekly produce in exchange for the fee, which is prepaid
in February or March.
Via email
“They’re keeping their dollar directly local, and they
Chitule Mwale, a 2009 Apprenticeship graduate from
get six months of the freshest food on the planet,” Seufert
Zambia, checked in recently from Tanzania, where he is
said. “It’s a unique experience for them because they
currently working on a Bsc degree in Economics —
get to pick it up at the farm. This is the way it should be
“The attached photos [one is reprinted below, Mwale
everywhere.”
on the right] were gotten while working with my farmers
CSA is a growing trend nationwide, according to the
on tomato, water melon, banana and brassica fields not
U.S. Department of Agriculture. CSA members or “share-
forgetting the fish ponds. I happen to work hand in hand
holders” receive produce by agreeing to help cover some
with one volunteer from the USA. I did a lot of natural
of the costs of the farm operation and the farmer’s salary,
pesticides trainings with the vegetable farmers. It was so
according to information on the USDA Web site.
interesting to see the environmentally friendly methods
“By direct sales to community members, who have
being adopted by small scale farmers.”
provided the farmer with working capital in advance,
growers receive better prices for their crops, gain some
financial security, and are relieved of much of the burden
of marketing,” the Web site said.
Terra Bella also offers a “split-share” CSA program
for subscribers who prefer to receive produce every other
week, or split their weekly produce with a second family,
farm manager Joe Sunderland said.
“I encourage getting to know your neighbors. Life
becomes so much easier that way,” Sunderland said.
“Through word of mouth we’ve been able to grow a lot.”
Terra Bella has about 150 CSA subscribers, Seufert
said, adding that the produce they receive includes a
wide variety of fruits and vegetables, including 14 types
of melons and 35 types of tomatoes.
continued on next page
9
News & Notes
“Whole Foods is hardly fresh,” said Seufert, referring Apprenticeship Graduates’ Projects Chosen for
to the grocery store chain. He said CSA prices are lower Top 10 Urban Farms
than those at many supermarkets and farmers markets. Graduates of the UCSC Apprenticeship have deep
Recollecting his past, Seufert said he originally in- roots with two of the Top 10 Urban Farms recognized
tended to use his degree in community studies to become by Natural Home magazine: Jones Valley Urban Farm in
a teacher, but when the opportunity arose to buy the Birmingham, Alabama, was started by graduates Page
farmland in Pleasanton, he knew it was what he wanted Allison and Edwin Marty, who is executive director; and
to do. the Homeless Garden Project in Santa Cruz enjoys the
“I could see that what he was doing had a lot of talents of garden director Paul Glowaski and horticulture
promise,” said Sunderland, who joined Seufert a year- director Karalee Greenwald. You can read the article at
and-a-half ago. www.naturalhomemagazine.com/People-and-Places/
“The want was there. All we needed was somebody Americas-Top-10-Urban-Farms.aspx?page=2
to match the want with the product.”
The farm has only about a dozen employees, but three
times a week the staff is augmented by volunteers who Apprenticeship Grads Featured in “40 Farmers Under 40”
help with planting and harvesting, Sunderland said. Profiles and Gourmet Magazine’s Epicurious
In exchange for helping out, volunteers get answers to Six graduates of the Apprenticeship program—Jason
their gardening questions as well as experience in grow- Mark, Amy Rice Jones, Molly Rockaman, Vernay “Pi-
ing fruit and vegetables in fertile soil near the Sunol Water lar” Reber, Emily Freed, and Willow Hein—along with
Temple, Seufert said. UCSC agroecology major Pete Rasmussen, are featured
“I’ve always loved gardening,” said Renee Ray, of in a Mother Nature Network article that appeared this
Castro Valley, a volunteer at Terra Bella. “It’s a great way summer on the new crop of American farmers. You can
for adults and their kids to see where the produce comes read the article at www.mnn.com/food/farms-gardens/
from.” stories/40-farmers-under-40.
Learn more about Terra Bella Family Farm at www.terrabella- Also featured on the Epicurious web site of Gourmet
familyfarm.com magazine in an article on “Farmers Making a Difference”
are Apprenticeship graduates and former CASFS staff
Darryl Wong of Freewheelin’ Farm Profiled in members Nancy Vail and Jered Lawson of Pie Ranch, lo-
Sunset Magazine cated north of Santa Cruz near Año Nuevo State Park, and
Darryl Wong, a 2004 Apprenticeship graduate, ap- Shawn Harrison and Marco Franciosa of Sacramento’s
pears in the September issue of Sunset magazine talking Soil Born Farms. Links to the articles are at www.epicuri-
about Freewheelin’ Farm and the path that led him to ous.com/articlesguides/seasonalcooking/farmtotable/
farming. farm_pieranch; and www.epicurious.com/articlesguides/
Located just north of Santa Cruz, Freewheelin’ Farm seasonalcooking/farmtotable/farm_soilbornfarms.
was founded by 1997 Apprenticehip graduate Amy
Courtney, who now runs the farm with partners Wong
and 2005 graduate Kirstin Yogg.
Besides their CSA operation, Freewheelin’ has also UCSC Farm & Garden a Winner in
partnered with teens from the youth group Food, What?!,
New Leaf Markets Envirotoken Balloting
founded by 2004 graduate Doron Comerchero and run in
conjunction with the Life Lab program. The teens helped The UCSC Farm & Garden is one of six local
out at the farm this summer, growing crops for local area environmental organizations to receive Envirotoken
schools. You can check out the farm at Freewheelin’s up- donations at local New Leaf Community Markets.
coming 4th Annual Farm Show on October 24 (see details If you shop at the New Leaf Market on Santa Cruz’s
on page 2 of this issue). Westside (Fair Avenue store) bring your own shop-
ping bag and you’ll get an Envirotoken you can use
to support the Farm & Garden’s community educa-
tion work, the Farm & Garden facilities, and other
activities.
New Leaf’s Envirotoken program was started
in 1993. Since then New Leaf shoppers have reused
over 2 million bags, resulting in a donation of over
$119,000, and saving over 2860 trees.
Our thanks to New Leaf shoppers and to New
Leaf Community Markets for their support!
10