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Wednesday, May 28, 2014• The Islands’ Sounder
Students get their hands dirty Youth in flight
by MADIE MURRAY
Farm to Cafeteria program
Even though we live in a rural community, there are still a number of students in our public school who have never really had the opportunity to learn where their food comes from, and some of the most memorable experiences for young people on Orcas Island are those found on a working farm, whether it’s digging clams, pitching hay, shearing sheep or gathering eggs. These types of learning experiences are a reality for the new Orcas Middle School Farm to Classroom students funded by generous donors to the Orcas Island Education Foundation this year. Since the class is an exploratory one, it is two hours, which affords them the time to venture off campus for these unique experiences. Here are some of the places they have visited and activities they have participated in so far this year. Buck Bay Shellfish Farm: On a beautiful day in May, owner of the farm located in Olga, Toni Hermansen, talked a bit about oysters and other shellfish, their habitats and the process of farming them, then took the class tromping in very deep mud far out into
the beds and beyond for a truly unique hands-on experience. “These kids were really engaged,” Hermansen said, “and it was a lot of fun showing them how our farm works.” It seems that not only the kids but also those who share their farms are rewarded. Our Lady of the Rock Monastery farm, Shaw Island: “This was a great opportunity for the kids to see a working subsistence-type farm, which was the goal of the trip,” said Middle School Farm to Classroom Teacher Jennifer Pietsch.The farm raises heritage breeds of animals, not only for their own consumption but as breeding stock for other farms nationwide. The monastery also has a certified raw milk dairy and produces some fantastic cheeses. The kids saw all of this up close and personal and helped the Mothers the entire morning they were there. “The women of Our Lady of the Rock are the real deal,” said Pietsch. Orcas Moon Alpacas: This is Jennifer and Jeff Pietsch’s own farm on Dolphin Bay Road where they raise alpacas and sheep. On this visit the students learned about how fleece goes from animal to product, how breeding affects the end
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product, and how to use all of the products produced by these animals. They also observed sheep shearing, which is something not many people experience. They are also building a worm composter for the school garden under the tutelage of Steve Diepenbrock of Morning Star Farm. In the process, they are learning all about cultivating worm habits, habitats and their immense benefit to gardens. This composter will also be used to compost some of the school food waste. This project is especially great because it is one that will also facilitate learning in the K-6 Farm to Classroom program. Last fall, the class had other great experiences learning about: • The process of preserving foods, including the chemical processes that makes it happen by collecting plums from a local farm and making them into jam. • Making cheese, including the chemical processes that are involved. The students made mozzarella. • Small scale poultry farming at West Beach Farm, including costs, benefits and challenges associated with it. • All aspects of orchards at Warm Valley Farm • Production farming and how it operates at Morning Star Farm. A very special and heartfelt thanks to all of the local farmers and community members that take time out of their very busy schedules to share their expertise and to do it so enthusiastically and without compensation. Stay on top of everything Farm to Cafeteria and Farm to Classroom by visiting our facebook page at www.facebook.com/orcasislandf2c, www.orcasislandf2c.org, and/or subscribing to the e-bulletin via a link on the website.
GO PAPERLESS: GET FREE Wi-Fi AT INTERISLAND FERRY LANDINGS OPALCO members who sign up for SmartHub (eBill) and choose to GO PAPERLESS can now access FREE WiFi at the ferry landings. Learn more at www.opalco.com or call 376-3500. Working cooperatively to serve YOU with ➊ safety and ➋ connection to ➌ improve the quality of our lives and the sustainability of our island communities.
Every year the Experimental Aircraft Association on Orcas provides young people a chance to take to the skies with an experienced local pilot as part of the Young Eagles Program developed to get young people interested in flying. The rides will be conducted between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 31, and those interested should come to the Port of Orcas Airport Biplane Hangar. Five local pilots donate their time to take participants up in their personal planes. They may explain to each participant, between the ages of eight and 17 what will happen during the flight, including information about the airplane, maps and charts, a pre-flight inspection and identifying the parts that control the airplane. Most flights last 30 minutes. After a flight, pilots will present kids with a Young Eagles logbook with a unique code to activate their free EAA student membership, which includes access to the “Sporty's Learn to Fly Course,” admission to 300-plus science and technology museums, Academy of Model Aeronauticss Student Membership and more.
Music in the night Salmonberry School invites the community to a music event, potluck dinner and open house on Wednesday, June 4 from 4-6 p.m. All are welcome and encouraged to bring an instrument or just your voice, a potluck item to share, and a joyful spirit. Music educator and teacher, Tom Rawson who just returned from the Seattle Folk Life Festival, will lead some folk songs on banjo and guitar. Local singer, songwriter and recording artist, Mandy Troxel will add her sweet voice and guitar, and a song or two from her latest CD, and Salmonberry students will help out on ukuleles. Salmonberry’s classrooms will also be open and teachers and staff will be on hand to show visitors around, explain their programs and answer any questions folks might have. “I’m so proud of our music program at Salmonberry. There’s so much research now that
documents the power of music education and the powerful affect it has on kids’ brain development and capacity to learn,” said Paul Freedman, Salmonberry’s Program Director. “But primarily, music is for sharing. It brings folks together, and makes us smile and laugh. It breaks down barriers and inhibitions. The Salmonberry community looks forward to meeting new friends and welcoming anyone with a voice and hands to sing and clap along.”
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