The Valley News • www.myvalleynews.com • February 28, 2014
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Home & Garden
KPBS gardening series to feature Valley Center farm for veterans Michael Crane Staff Writer When Karen and Colin Archipley first moved to Valley Center in 2005 they weren’t exactly what you would call farmers. Originally from Northern California, Karen made hats for a living and Colin was a U.S. Marine Sergeant with a passion for bikes and off-road photography. However, when Colin and his fellow marines were facing re-enlistment as the only viable way to support their families, the Archipley’s farm, dubbed Archi’s Acres, became far more than just a family farm. Since 2007, Archi’s Acres has been the home of the Veterans Sustainable Agriculture Training (VSAT) program, an “intensive six-week agriculture entrepreneur incubator,” according to their website. The program, which is open to the public as well as veterans, has been so successful in providing veterans with a well-rounded agricultural foundation that it will be featured in an upcoming episode of “A Growing Passion,” a gardening television series on KPBS. “We created VSAT as a way that my husband could stay connected with the people he’d served with, but also that we could help people to transition out, to have a viable income because agriculture and organic farming is a very viable career,” said Karen Archipley. “Since then we’ve just learned so much.”
With 16 students in each sixweek class, Archi’s Acres already boasts around 240 graduates, many of whom have gone on to start their own farms, pursued agricultural degrees, or pioneered their own products. Aside from the practical experience the trainees develop, the program also serves as an emotional support during the often tumultuous period of acclimating to life after the military. “They’re people who thought their world was shaken out of them and we actually help them to reinvent themselves basically,” said Archipley. “We see the miracles every day.” Most of the VSAT graduates are active duty service members, including many Wounded Warriors. During the course of the program, they come to the farm five days a week to work with their hands and be versed on a variety of subjects by guest lecturers ranging from insurance agents to trademark attorneys. “In six weeks, we go from seed to market, and then we also go from the concept of the business plan to the presentation of the business plan, and it’s everything in between,” said Archipley. “We handle business, economics, niche marketing — all the things that go with having a successful farm.” Archi’s Acres has recently partnered with the California State University system and their six-week program is now equivalent to 17 credits, or one year of college. The USDA also considers the program
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Nan Sterman helps package basil with Archi’s Acres trainees during filming of “A Growing Passion.”
as one-year farm ownership, which means graduates can immediately apply for farm service agency loans to build their own greenhouses. Nan Sterman, garden expert and host of “A Growing Passion,” knew about Archi’s Acres for several years and was excited to include it in the final episode of her second season, titled “Growing Dreams and Memories.” “Actually it was one of the reasons that I did this episode was that I wanted to feature their story,” said Sterman. “Archi’s Acres, these are people who have been through
really traumatic situations and are coming back and need to adjust to a civilian life and a completely different kind of life and lots of them don’t really know what to do. So this is an opportunity to get some new direction and refocus.” The half-hour episode airs Feb. 27 at 8:30 p.m. on KPBS. Also featured in the episode will be Sunshine Assisted Living, St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center, and Rady Children’s Hospital, all of which use gardening to help people deal with different challenges across Southern California.
Archi’s Acres’ primary product is basil, but they also grow kale, chard, bok choy, and red bell peppers. They grow using sustainable, organic, hydroponic techniques and sell their produce to Whole Foods, Jimbo’s, Frazier Farms, Windmill Farms, and the Ocean Beach Coop, according to Archipley. For more information on the TV series, visit www.agrowingpassion. com. Visit www.archisacres.com to learn more about the farm. To comment on this story online, visit www.myvalleynews.com.
Nine things to do to save time and money for the spring The lint trap should be cleaned out after every load. At least once per year, the dryer should be disassembled and the interior vacuumed with a long attachment. Also annually, the dryer’s entire venting system from the dryer to the outside must be cleaned out. A dryer vent brush will assist with this. 7. Schedule professional furnace and air conditioner duct cleaning. Clean furnace and air conditioner ducts help the air to flow more freely. Air duct cleaning every five
INLAND EMPIRE – There are nine money-saving tasks that homeowners can do during the winter that will prevent problems in the spring. These tips have been provided by RepairClinic.com®. 1. Perform pre-season maintenance of outdoor power equipment and garden tools. Inspect wear and damage on lawn mowers, pressure washers, string trimmers, edgers and other outdoor power and landscaping equipment. Review owner’s manuals, replace worn or damaged parts with new components and clean the equipment. Stock up on degreaser, filters, spark plugs and other essentials. 2. Dedicate a few hours per weekend to organizing closets, cabinets, basements, attics and other storage locations. The annual home chores dubbed “spring cleaning” doesn’t have to wait until spring. Avoid several organization projects in one weekend. Instead, tackle smaller organization projects over many weekends for greater efficiency. 3. Clean off refrigerator condenser coils.
“Dirty, dust-covered condenser coils require refrigerators to work harder to remove heat,” said Chris Hall, president and co-founder of RepairClinic.com. “A long-handled bristle brush and a vacuum make it easy to clean off the coils.” 4. Stock up on water filters. “Refrigerator ice-maker and water dispenser filters should be replaced at least every six months, but depending on usage, homeowners may need to replace the filters more frequently,” said Hall. “Increased temperatures often bring more frequent use of ice makers and water dispensers.” 5. Check on emergency-prevention efforts. Replace the batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and then test them. Check the expiration dates on first-aid kits and fire extinguishers and replace as needed. Review fire escape and other emergency plans. 6. Clean out dryer vents. “Lint may be building up to dangerous levels in your dryer’s venting system,” said Hall. “Dryer lint buildup restricts air flow and can result in a fire.”
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8. Inspect home appliances for worn components and changes in performance. “Appliances often show warning signs before they have major problems,” said Hall. “Take the time to inspect them and replace parts as needed to keep them running efficiently. Pay attention to noise, the amount of time required to complete their jobs, leaking and
other performance changes.” 9. Prune trees and shrubs. “By mid to late winter, your trees and shrubs have been dormant for a significant period of time,” said Jeff Linderman, RepairClinic’s resident landscaping specialist. “They may also have winter-storm damage. Now is an ideal time for pruning to enable spring growth.” RepairClinic.com® is an online store featuring replacement parts for major household appliances, and outdoor equipment.
Pets
Pets of the Week Hi, my name is Holly. I am a one year-old, female Lab/terrier mix. I was found wandering at Heritage Lake. I am a good girl. I love to play and I am great with other dogs. I am micro-chipped and spayed. For more information on Holly, call (951) 679-6444 or visit www.sck9adoptions.org. Sun City Adoptions is open seven day a week from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at 26510 Murrieta Road in Sun City.
Hi, my name is Joey. I am a 2-year-old, male Terrier mix. I am a loving and awfully cute little boy. I am great with kids and I am housebroken. I am playful and love lots of chew toys. I am already neutered and ready for my new forever home. Intake number: 215970
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Winter is the perfect time to make sure power equipment like hedge trimmers, weedeaters, and lawnmowers are properly serviced for spring use.
years is important; homes with occupants who suffer from allergies may need to have this done more frequently.
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Lambs For Sale! Nels & Shawna Bloom (951) 733-2000 We have both registered and pet quality lambs for sale! Visitors welcome by appointment.
www.beaupeepsbabydolls.com
Hi, my name is Luna. I am a 1-year-old, female Domestic Long Hair. I love to snuggle and I am good with kids. I like to play fetch with soda straws. I am litter-box trained. I am already spayed and ready for my new home. Intake number: 196906
Animal Friends of the Valleys is open Mon., Tues., Thurs., and Fri. from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Wed. from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Sat. from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit www.animalfriendsofthevalleys.com or call (951) 674-0618. The shelter is located at 33751 Mission Trail in Wildomar.