Summer Programming at Pie Ranch
No Comments since July 13th, 2011
July is always a busy time at Pie Ranch as groups around the Bay Area and beyond schedule visits to take advantage of the glorious weather summer can bring.
Pie Ranch was fortunate to host campers from Camp Tawonga, located at the middle fork of the Tuolumne River, just outside of Yosemite National Park. Camp Tawonga’s philosophy encompasses having a positive self-image & building self-esteem, creating a cooperative community, and developing a partnership with nature with an emphasis on spirituality & positive Jewish identification. A special program within Camp Tawonga focusing on farming & nature awareness brought 8 youth & 2 mentors to Pie Ranch for two overnights. The group toured Pie Ranch, collected eggs, milked our goat, harvested berries & produce for their meals, engaged in discussions around sustainable agriculture & food justice, and slept out under the stars.
The Boys and Girls Club of San Francisco’s Mission Club House also spent time with us this July. This wonderful group of 15 middle & high school students visited our goats & cows, sampled strawberries, had a silent stroll through “the kiss” of the two pie-shaped pieces of land that comprise Pie Ranch, learned about sustainable agriculture principles of soil stewardship, and collected green, brown, and white eggs from our pastured hens. We’re excited to potentially collaborate with them on a Rueda de Casino barn dance in the near future!
The kids aren’t the only ones who appreciate a day spent outside on a ranch. A group of 18 people from Slow Food South Bay spent a Saturday visiting Harley Farms, Blue House Farm and then ended their day with an extensive tour of Pie Ranch’s crops, animals, orchards, and pastures. We rounded off the afternoon with a sampling of our strawberry-rhubarb & walnut pies. The group’s great questions clearly demonstrated their passion for good, clean, fair food!
roadside barn. All are welcome; come lend a hand in the fields while you work alongside other volunteers and farmers. Celebrate the spirit of community at this monthly ritual of working together on the ranch, sharing locally grown food, and then spinning, laughing and dosey-doing together into the night.
