Written by Milena Castillo-Grynberg, Food Systems Educator
The Arundel garden continued to transition and stay busy, hosting classes, workshops and events. This month, student Food Explorers “transformed” into apples and made the metaphorical journey from orchard to a local farmers market, and then to a faraway grocery store (perhaps even one across the ocean!). Through this process, they had the opportunity to experience firsthand the difference in length and complexity of these two journeys. This led to compelling conversations about the resources and impacts involved in Food Distribution.
At Arundel’s monthly workday on November 4th, enthusiastic volunteers fought a hard-won battle against the remaining weeds and tended soft, new beds for radish seeds to rest in. Thanks to their hard work, the garden beds have been replenished with essential nutrients for new seedlings to thrive. The seeds planted last month have already sprouted and popped up to speckle the garden in gorgeous greens, purples and reds!
Volunteer’s at Arundel Living Campus Workday (November 4th, 2023. Photo taken by EGC Food Systems Educator, Milena)
Later this month, the garden received a visit from a cheerful group of UC Master Gardeners, who returned to teach a workshop on the importance of soil health and the intricate web of players involved in the process. At the end of the lesson, the group strolled through the garden, admiring the abundance of soil aggregates in the Arundel Garden. These aggregates indicate healthy microbiotic and fungal communities; You can put them to the test by submerging them in water and seeing if they fall apart or not. A healthy aggregate will stay intact, held together by microbiotic “glue”, and release plumes of air bubbles which emanate from its many pores.
Soil Aggregate in the Arundel Garden (November 4th, 2023. Photo taken by EGC Food Systems Educator, Milena)
0 Comments