Clara the Farmer Visits the Classroom!

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Last week, 200 Mark Twain Middle School students attended our Farmer in the Classroom program and were treated to a visit from Clara, of Tutti-Frutti Farms, located outside of Lompoc. Clara brought all kinds of fruit and vegetables from her farm; carrots, tangerines, avocados, squash, white and sweet potatoes and more, and taught us through stories and photographs just how their organic farm works to grow and distribute their delicious produce. She also helped explain how important the nutrients from all fruits and vegetables are for our health. Specifically, Clara explained the health benefits of the carrots from her farm; how each carrot contains a high amount of vitamin A, which helps our eyes, skin, and brain. She brought carrots for all to taste, along with tangerines, and students happily munched on these organic goodies. Students had an opportunity to ask Clara questions. Most were curious about whether she liked being a farmer. She loves it and invited students to think about becoming farmers themselves!

Finding Hope Through Anne Frank's Window

From her only window to the outside world, Anne Frank could see the sky, birds and a majestic chestnut tree. "As long as this exists," Anne wrote in her diary, "how can I be sad?"  In preparation for their trip to the Museum of Tolerance and visit to the Anne Frank exhibit, 6th and 7th grade history and language arts students reflected on Anne Frank and her quotes on how the view from her window changed.  They chose a spot in the garden, wrote about their feelings on what they saw in their "window" and will revisit their spot and feelings in late spring.

Digging for Biodiversity and Slow Food

8th grade students planted Makah Ozette potato seeds to be part of the Slow Food USA School Garden Project: A Potato with a Past.  Students will plant, document and photograph growth of the plants in the two beds and will harvest and cook the unique, nutty fingerling. The Ozette was a staple in the diet of the Pacific Coast Native Americans of the Makah Nation and brought directly by the Spanish from Peru to the Americas.

A week to remember. Four years ago under the direction of the talented Ms. Angela Hughes, one of our favorite collaborations-a pop up restaurant! Students were able to learn culinary skills and hospitality pro tips to create a garden lunch for their
"Nature gives to every time and season some beauties of its own." Charles Dickens Our schoolyard habitat is thriving- not only is it beautiful, but it continues to provide food for families in need.
Life in the garden without students is different- seeds that were dropped or scattered by kids or critters have taken root with no foot traffic. Happy accidents! What has remained unchanged are the cycles of the natural world. Our thriving garden wil
Happy Earth Day from Seeds to Plate. The planet, and the food cultivated on it unify us all. Mother Nature teaches us impermanence, renewal, hope, connection, independence beauty, generosity and so much more. Sharing opportunities to connect students