Discover This!

You can support Live Earth Farm Discovery when you buy or sell on eBay, with the eBay Giving Works program. Here’s how:

Live Earth Farm Discovery is part of the eBay Giving Works program. So, you can support our mission when you buy and sell on eBay. Here’s how:

Buy

• You can find whatever you’re looking for on eBay – from baseball cards to new cars and more. When you do, shop for items that benefit us. You can get a great deal and support community, nutrition and environmental education at the same time!
• Shop now to support Live Earth Farm Discovery
• http://givingworks.ebay.com/charity-auctions/charity/live-earth-farm-discovery-program/65113/

Sell

• You can also support Live Earth Farm Discovery when you sell on eBay. Just designate our organization to receive 10-100% of your final sale price the next time you list something great.
• Did you know that charity listings often get more bids and higher prices than regular eBay listings? Boost your sales and support our critical work while you’re at it! Plus eBay gives back to you too, with a fee credit on your basic selling fees.
• Sell now to support Live Earth Farm Discovery
• http://givingworks.ebay.com/charity-auctions/charity/live-earth-farm-discovery-program/65113/

As I dive into my college adventure I cannot help but reflect upon the importance experience has added to my life, credentials, and knowledge. Being part of the LEFDP Leader In Training program for five years now has not only extended my love of organic, wholesome farming but also enhanced what it means to teach, learn, and collaborate in an educational environment. In 2010 I joined the team for the annual LEFDP farm camps for children and since then I have come back every summer to watch the program and camps grow.

I believe the collaboration between student and teacher is key to an effective learning experience and the LIT program bridges the gap, allowing for teens to teach and learn from both the child and program leader. An LIT learns to be attentive, follow and give instructions, work with leaders, aid children, and plan/make each camp day happen.

In early summer, before the camps start, all the LITs meet and have an orientation day to learn about their roles in the program, plan camp activities and lessons (which they will then lead, themselves), learn about how to work with the children, and brainstorm community building and problem solving techniques.

Every day one leader is chosen to overlook the team and keep everyone on task, making sure dishes get done, floors swept, children helped, and food/activities prepped. Learning the process and steps it takes to have the farm camp program is really important- as is learning the importance of a sturdy foundation and behind-the-scenes team (that’s us!)

I’ve shared so many memories and laughs with the team. Letting out giggles as the kids hula their hips around the fire pit, chanting “sticks below hips!” when talking about marshmellow roasting safety. Leading “toasts” to encourage the kids to hydrate as we hike around the farm and harvest fruits and veggies. Rubbing my stomach as I describe the effects of “Berry Belly” to the kids as they feast in rows of ripe strawberries and golden raspberries for an afternoon snack.

So as the LIT program grows I urge all teens (13+) to experience this special opportunity that LEFDP has provided for the community. It is also a great community service or service learning opportunity, looks amazing on college applications (they love leadership positions) and on a resume for future job and volunteering experiences, and is the perfect setting for some fun summertime leadership learning. Come join the team- LITs rock!

By Krista Young, 5th year LIT

On May 6^th, 2013 starting at 9:30 am, The Live Earth Farm Discovery Program will host a garden work party in celebration of Give Local America and the end of the 2014 Spring Fund Drive. Give Local America is a national day of community giving. LEFDP staff will cook volunteers a pizza lunch in our cob oven in gratitude for the many ways the community gives to LEFDP. The Discovery Program needs to raise $4500 more to provide scholarships to bring kids to the farm to learn to grow and choose food that is healthy for themselves, for their community and for the environment.

Watsonville, CA, April 29, 2014 – The Live Earth Farm Discovery Program (LEFDP) has joined Give Local America, a movement to reignite the spirit of giving across the country and support causes in the communities in which we live, work and play. In honor of local giving, LEFDP staff will cook a cob oven pizza lunch after a morning garden work party, starting at 9:30am. On Tuesday, May 6th 2014, join in celebrating local philanthropy. From Coast to Coast, people will be coming together to “give local.” LEFDP and Give Local America encourage you to join in the excitement by supporting your favorite local organization.

“Our students learn to eat well on the farm. They learn that their food choices make an impact on the local economy and on the environment. They become aware of their place in the ecological system as they harvest and consume healthy snacks, then feed the scraps to chickens, which produce eggs. Students at Live Earth Farm learn responsibility for their choices because they are part of a community,” says LEFDP Director, Jessica Ridgeway. The Spring Fund Drive raises funds for program scholarships for local kids.

To give on May 6th: http://www.givelocaleverywhere.org/#npo/live-earth-farm-discovery-program

To give any other time: http://liveearthfarm.net/discovery-program/support-us/

photo credit: Ruth Diaz

Learn and play at Live Earth Farm in the Discovery Garden and Fields, the chicken pasture, goat pen, pony corral, and in the kitchen classroom. The Live Earth Farm Discovery Program offers programs for all ages throughout the summer including week long camps, u-pick events, and drop in programs for families.

photo credit: Ruth Diaz

Watsonville, CA, April 2, 2014 – In the summer of 2014 LEFDP will open up the farm to people of all ages through a variety of fun, educational programs. There will be three different weeklong summer camps offered for 5 weeks in the summer. There are two drop in programs each month for the youngest farmers and their mothers, fathers, nannies, grandparents, or whoever takes care of them. Wee Ones is for babes 0-3 years old, and Small Farmers is a slightly longer and more in depth program for children 3-6 years old. And new in 2014 LEFDP will host a series of free, family friendly u-pick events at which a different fruit or vegetable will be featured each in the peak of their season.

photo credit: Ruth Diaz

The LEFDP summer camps offer a unique opportunity to engage with the food Live Earth Farm grows in an in-depth field to fork experience that lasts a whole week. Young Farmers Camp will focus on the processes of growing and preparing food, providing campers with comprehensive experience in the fields and kitchen, sprinkled with a whole bunch of fun. Sprouts Camp will engage really young kids and their families in the garden and animal pens for a 5 senses experience of growing, eating, and playing with our food. As ever, Art on the Farm camp will weave nature-based art activities with fruit, vegetable, and farm animal fun. All of the summer camps include a Leader in Training program for teens. Scholarships are available.

Welcome Christine Landis: Our New Program Assistant

Hi There! I’m Christine Landis, the new Program Assistant at Live Earth Farm Discovery Program. I will be helping Peter maintain our beautiful garden and demonstration fields. You will also see me around the farm facilitating tours and helping with the various education activities. I’m very excited for the opportunity to work with such an amazing organization and something so close to my heart.

I have always been in love with food and nature. Being born and raised in Maine was the root of that affection. My appreciation for agriculture continued to grow while creating memories on my grandparents’ dairy farm. After moving to California to attend UCSC, I noticed my experience with the natural world was not as common as I thought. I became aware of the disconnect so many people had with the environment and their food systems. After graduating with a B.A. in Environmental Studies, I rediscovered my passion for agriculture while interning at a local farm in Santa Cruz. I was invigorated with the desire to pass on the message about healthy, organic food. I feel local sustainable agriculture can lead not only to the preservation of our environment, but it can cultivate community and nourish our body and soul. I’m beyond thrilled to have found the Discovery Program where I will continue to pass on this message, as well as create excitement and awareness about the amazing food shed we live in.

This Winter the Wavecrest Jr. High students are finishing up their science projects related to the theme of WATER! Thank goodness for the rain we are getting!

One of the projects was to design a native plant/drought tolerant landscape. Now that we are getting some rain it is time to put those natives in so they can benefit from the natural water. If done at the right time you only need minimal spring and summer watering of natives in order for them to become established. Once established they won’t need ANY supplemental water in the second year and that is the whole point!

Science!

Another project was comparing the qualities of two ponds here on the farm. Students used a water testing kit and collected data about nitrates, pH, turbidity, and the presence of invertebrates. I can’t wait to see the results and see how the two ponds differ.

What a great group of students we had for this rotation!

Next up –Spring!

Cumin Roasted Parsnips and Carrots

(credit chef Mary Sue Milliken)

The sweetness of carrots and parsnips is balanced and enhanced by cumin, garlic, lime juice and mint to make a delicious, warming, hearty, and simple side.

SERVES 4–6

Instructions

Compost!

“The ground’s generosity takes in our compost and grows beauty! Try to be more like the ground.” — Rumi

The Live Earth Farm Discovery Program’s Spring Fund Drive is raising scholarship money for local, underserved students to attend Farm Camps. The 5^th season of summer camps at Live Earth Farm will feature three unique camps offered throughout the summer, including two new camps debuted last year, Sprouts Camp and Young Farmers Camp. Since 2009 LEFDP has hosted small groups of children for a week of Art on the Farm Camp along with a Leader in Training Program for teens. LEFDP invites local individuals and businesses to sponsor Farm Camp scholarships for kids in need.

Watsonville, CA, February 24, 2014 – In the summer of 2014 LEFDP will host five weeks of summer camp in the organic fields of Live Earth Farm, as well as a Leader in Training program for teens throughout the summer. A key feature of the summer camps is a scholarship program, which makes camp accessible to kids from all segments of our community. In 2014 LEFDP hopes to boost scholarship attendance.

In the fields of Live Earth Farm students of all ages and backgrounds learn how to build a healthy plate of food from the ground up. Last summer 3^rd grader, Santiago shouted proudly when asked if he had visited a farm before, “I came to this farm.” What did he remember from his visit? The best strawberry of his life and its life cycle, picked from the very field where he will plant fava beans this spring.

These three different camp offerings provide unique ways to engage with Live Earth Farm. Young Farmers Camp will focus on the processes of growing and preparing food, providing campers with in depth experience in the fields and kitchen, sprinkled with a whole bunch of fun. Sprouts Camp will engage really young kids and their families in the garden and animal pens for a 5 senses experience of growing, eating, and playing with food. As ever, Art on the Farm camp will weave nature-based art activities with fruit, vegetable and farm animal fun. With the help of the community scholarships will be available.

The Live Earth Farm Discovery Program (LEFDP) is a farm-based education non-profit organization in Watsonville, California. LEFDP makes seed to mouth, farm to fork, and child to community connections through a variety of hands-on educational programs serving the youth of Santa Cruz, Santa Clara and Monterey counties and beyond. A special emphasis is placed on reaching under served people in the community to bolster individual, community and environmental health. We welcome volunteers a number of different capacities. Please get in touch!

Jessica Ridgeway, Director
831-728-2032
LEFDPDirector@gmail.com
On facebook: LEFDP
On Twitter: @LEFDP
On Pinterest: LEFDP
On tumblr: LEFDiscoveryProgram
http://liveearthfarm.net/discovery-program/programs/farm-camps/
http://liveearthfarm.net/farm-camps-at-live-earth-farm/

The 5^th season of summer camps at Live Earth Farm will feature three unique camps offered throughout the summer, including two new camps debuted last year, Sprouts Camp and Young Farmers Camp. Since 2009 LEFDP has hosted small groups of children for a week of Art on the Farm Camp along with a Leader in Training Program for teens. This year in addition to two weeks of Art on the Farm Camp for 6-12 year olds, LEFDP also invites children 6-12 years old to Young Farmer’s Camp and kiddos 3-6 years old to Sprouts Camp. Campers in all three camps will learn and play in our garden, fields and kitchen classroom as well as learn to care for our milking goats and laying hens. New this year, campers will also learn pony care with our brand new mother and colt due to give birth on the farm at the end of May.

Watsonville, CA, February 24, 2014 – In the summer of 2014 LEFDP will host five weeks of summer camp in the organic fields of Live Earth Farm, as well as a Leader in Training program for teens throughout the summer. Take advantage of the Early Bird Discount until April 18, 2014.

The Discovery Program limits camps to 25 kids in order to create an intimate experience for campers and cultivates a compassionate community of young farmers, artists, foodies, naturalists, and environmentalists. The summer will begin and end with a week of Art on the Farm Camp June 16-20, and August 4-8. June 23-27 and July 14-18 will feature Young Farmer’s Camp for campers interested in planting, harvesting, preserving and cooking with the 50 different fruits and vegetables grown at Live Earth Farm. The second cohort of 3-6 year old campers will explore the farm July 7-11 during Sprouts Camp.

These three different camp offerings provide unique ways to engage with Live Earth Farm. Young Farmers Camp will focus on the processes of growing and preparing food, providing campers with in depth experience in the fields and kitchen, sprinkled with a whole bunch of fun. Sprouts Camp will engage really young kids and their families in the garden and animal pens for a 5 senses experience of growing, eating, and playing with food. As ever, Art on the Farm camp will weave nature-based art activities with fruit, vegetable and farm animal fun.  Scholarships are available.

You can help by sponsoring Farm Camp Scholarships or

Jessica Ridgeway, Director
831-728-2032
LEFDPDirector@gmail.com
On facebook: LEFDP
On Twitter: @LEFDP
On Pinterest: LEFDP
On tumblr: LEFDiscoveryProgram
http://liveearthfarm.net/discovery-program/programs/farm-camps/