“My wife and I moved to Tumwater at the end of June for her new job with the Tumwater School District.  We began shopping at the Tumwater Farmers Market where I found out about Left Foot and I began to follow the farm’s Facebook page.  When a call went out for volunteers for a Wednesday morning in early August I decided I could help out while I was still in the process of looking for a new job.  I’ve been out almost every weekday morning since to help out.

 One of my favorite things about volunteering at the farm is that there is always something new to learn.  Though I spent many of my morning’s only harvesting zucchini and beans this summer I have appreciated the opportunity to learn about the lifecycle of a farm.

Since I have spent so many mornings at the farm, I have been able to better get to know some of the growers.  I really appreciate that I am often asked how my wife is enjoying her job or about my bike ride to the farm.  It has made for a very welcoming and inclusive work environment.  I enjoy how a farm offers jobs of all varying ability levels.  Even though I only have minimal experience gardening, it seems like there is always something I can do to help out.”

Thank you, Seth for being such a good friend to the farm and wonderful role model for us all.  Your time and contributions are very much appreciated.

If you, or someone you know, is looking for a memorable and fulfilling volunteer experience call Jill, the Volunteer Coordinator at 754-1849 for more information.

Left Foot at Nisqually Gardens

Left Foot Organics crew participated in their first “Crew Exchange” event last August.  Growers and Growing Partners, along with Left Foot Staff,  spent a day working in the fields at the Nisqually Gardens.  This event gave them the opportunity to see another garden with similarities to their work site and a chance to see something “new and different,” as Glenn (former LFO Grower) would say.  Left Foot Growers contributed their experienced hands to weeding thimbleberries and strawberries and received a tour from Carlin and Caitlin, the co-managers.  They saw Nisqually employees weeding weeds similar to those that we have on the farm and LFO crew members were able to apply their skills and knowledge to provide a service at Nisqually gardens.

In the vegetable garden, they could identify many of the crops growing — peas, beets, carrots, tomatoes, potatoes — because they help weed and harvest them at Left Foot.  Touring the medicinal plant garden, they learned about other uses of plants besides just eating them.  Michael, a grower, experienced it first-hand when he was bit by a mosquito.  Grace, a tribal member and garden employee, had him apply wormwood and a poultice of English plantain to his cheek to relieve the itching, and it worked.  Carlin described other activities the garden provides, such as making plant medicine and preserving food, which really interested Meru, another one of our growers.

Left Foot employees experienced appreciation and acknowledgment for their work as Carlin gifted each of each them with a tote bag.  Left Foot brought some plants to give to their garden, too.  Left Foot employees appreciated the opportunity to visit and experience a culture different from their own but one that has shared values of respect and inclusion.  Nisqually crew members came to Left Foot Organics on August 25th to complete the work exchange.

Historical Reference  Farm Manager, Lydia Beth, worked for the tribe as a gardener before coming to Left Foot, growing food and native plants for the community under a two-year USDA grant.  Unfortunately, the project ended with the funding.  The tribal garden has since been reestablished on an old farm overlooking the Nisqually delta owned by the tribe.  This skwda?deb (Lushootseed for “gathering place”) provides employment for tribal members, distributes fresh food to the community, and creates a space for all people to garden and gather together.  Elders, families, work-release prisoners, and school groups all help to grow food and traditional medicinal plants at the garden.

Are you ready to be a positive role model for an employee?

Are you ready to work outside every day you go to work?

If you answer yes to all or any of these questions, you are ready to work at Left Foot Organics.  We are looking for two individuals to fill critical roles on the farm; Production Assistant and Crew Leader.  Both of these positions work directly with and in a leadership capacity with our growers, growing partners and volunteers.  Position descriptions and applications are available at our website.  Come join us!  It is a great place to be!!!

Washington State University Thurston County Extension is currently accepting applications for its 2011 Master Recycler Composter volunteer training.

The Master Recycler Composters of Thurston County is a volunteer service program. The county trains each Master Recycler Composter volunteer on how to become a community educator on solid waste issues such as waste reduction, recycling, and composting within Thurston County.

In exchange for on-going, researched-based, un-biased training, participants agree to volunteer as a community educator to share waste reduction information with the citizens of Thurston County. Master Recycler Composters can participate in a wide range of county waste reduction activities and community events, or work in their own neighborhoods, schools, or workplaces on projects encouraging waste reduction, recycling and composting.

Training will be conducted on the following seven dates:

Wednesday, October 5, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Wednesday, October 12, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Saturday, October 15, from 9:00a.m. to 12:00p.m.

Wednesday, October 19 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Saturday, October 22, from 9:00a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Wednesday, October 26, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Wednesday, November 2, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Attendance at all seven classes is required to become a certified Master Recycler Composter volunteer.

A $50 class fee will be collected on the first class.  This fee covers all class materials.

To learn more or to apply online visit:  http://county.wsu.edu/thurston/gardening/mc/Pages/default.aspx

Applications are due by Friday, September 23, 2011.

Please direct questions to Cori Carlton at 360-867-2162 or carltoc@co.thurston.wa.us

What:  The Olympia Food Coop, Thurston County Food Bank and South of the Sound Community Farm Land Trust have organized two full days of local farm tours open and free to all. Each day will be an opportunity for local eaters to get a deeper look at our local food system and the excitement of growing food, raising animals and working within our community. Maximum 50 participants for each tour, registration is free. Contact hallilw@gmail.com for registration details. These tours are filling up fast.

To Register:  Contact hallilw@gmail.com – Halli Winstead.

Details:

August 20^th Starting at 8:45 am: The Urban Bike Loop will be a full day of bike rides and farm tours. We will be visiting Sunbreak Farm, Calliope Farm, Common Ground Farm, Kiwanis Food Bank Garden on the Capitol Campus, Wendell Berry Community Garden, Piece by Piece Farm, We will stop at the West Olympia Farmer’s Market to supplement our lunches and the Fish Tale Brewery for an optional bite to eat and local brew.

August 27^th 9 am to 5 pm: Rural Van Loop will be traversed in passenger vans to Left Foot Organics Farm, Kirsop Farm, Helsing Junction Farm and Lincoln Creek Ranch. We will stop at the Tenino Farmers Market to supplement our lunches.   

These tours are part of the Focus on Food leading up to the October 14-15 Food Summit.  For more information on the summit visit www.oly-wa.us/SustainSouthSound/  Summit registration information will be available starting August 15.

For more information about Slow Food Events see our website at  http://slowfoodolympia.org