THE YOUTH FARM at the High School for Public Service

NEWSLETTER Week of Sept. 2

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2014
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www.HSPSFarm.blogspot.com
FROM THE FARMER

Hello!
Hope everyone is having a great fall and enjoying this
September weather! Here's another update about
what's been going on with our educational
programming on the farm.
As many of you know, the farm is a partnership
between the farmers, Green Guerillas, and the High
School for Public Service. We have a great relationship
with the High School for Public Service, but also want to
make sure that the other 4 schools on Wingate Campus
understand that the farm is open to them as well (as it
is for our entire community!). We've been lucky to
receive a mini grant from Green Thumb's Grow to Learn
project, which has enabled me to work with the School
for Democracy and Leadership (SDL).
SDL has created an elective class devoted to
environmental and food issues, which I co-facilitate two
days each week. The class comes out to the farm on
those two days to connect what they've been learning
in the classroom to the real world. The students get to
learn how to grow their own food, become food justice
advocates, and learn about cooking and nutrition!
They also get to get outside of the classroom during a
day of sitting for long period of time. One of the
challenges for me has been how to make that
transition; often students are restless after sitting at a
desk all day and have trouble concentrating when they
come outside. I've found it really helps to do a
breathing exercise or some stretching or yoga to re-
focus before we start our lesson. Let me know if you
have any other ideas!
This fall we're also starting up our farm club, which will
meet at lunchtime on the farm. This year it will be a mix
of farmwork along with discussions about food justice
and policy- I'm really excited about it!
My goal for the future is that whenever someone visits
the farm there will be some sort of class outside
utilizing the space, whether it's an art class, gym class,
or field trip visiting from elsewhere. I hope you'll visit
and see this in action!
All the best,
Patricia

IN YOUR VEG SHARE THIS WEEK!
Pepper medley
Tomato medley
Eggplant medley
Collards
Napa cabbage
Cucumbers
Husk Cherries
Green Curly Kale
Thyme
Chives

IN YOUR FLOWER SHARE THIS WEEK!
Euphorbia
Snapdragons
Hyacinth Bean Flower
Scabiosa
Cosmos
Gomphrena (magenta & bi-color)
Zinnias
Cardinal Basil
Amaranth
Ageratum
Strawflower
Thai Basil
Marigolds
Sunflowers
Salvia
Snapdragons
Tithonia
Celosia
Foxtail Millet

VEGGIE HIGHLIGHTS
One star this weekEggplant!
Eggplants are bushy annuals usually grown as
freestanding shrubby plants, 2 to 3 feet tall and


THE YOUTH FARM at the High School for Public Service
NEWSLETTER Week of Sept. 2
nd
2014
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2014


www.HSPSFarm.blogspot.com
3 to 4 feet wide. A warm-season crop. Plant in
late spring or early summer after all danger of
frost is past. Eggplants thrive where summer
daytime high temperatures averages 70 to 85
and the soil temperature is at least 75 F. Seeds
planted in soil that is too cool generally fail to
germinate and rot, so wait until the soil is warm
enough.. Start with well-drained soil that is rich
in organic matter.
RECIPE CORNER:
KALE SOUP

Ingredients

2 bunches chopped kale leaves

1 bunch collard greens

1 large chopped butternut squash

2 cloves chopped garlic

4 sprigs rosemary

4 sprigs thyme

2 tsp nutmeg

2 tsp sea salt

Coconut oil to taste

Water for boiling


Directions
Add kale, collards, garlic and squash to a 4qt pot. Cover
with water and boil. Reduce heat and add herbs,
nutmeg and sea salt. Simmer for 5-10 minutes then turn
on heat. Add a few tablespoons of coconut oil. Next,
use a blender to puree your soup or add soup to your
high-speed blender to make creamy.
Enjoy this with a side of cultured vegetables for optimum
health and mineral absorption.
Youth Farm Manager Profile: Liz Dowd

Where is the place you call home?
Essex, Vermont

Your reason for coming to New York City to Farm?
Liz indicated she was in New York City to attend school.
Liz majored in photography at the School of Visual Arts
in Manhattqan. She had a interest in nature and was
already doing some gardening at her home. She
decided to take her skills to the next level and enrolled
in some Urban Farming programs in NYC.

What are your future plans in Farming?
Liz indicated she has a strong interest in live
stock(animal husbandry)

Your favorite plant?
Geranium, Lizs mom grows a lot of this plant at her
home


NEWS AND UPCOMING EVENTS

Interested in interning at the farm?!
Our internships are on Tuesdays and Thursdays from
9am-3pm. For more info please email Liz at
Liz@bkfarmyards.com!

September Volunteer Days:
Join us on the farm for Farm Volunteer Days! Our
Volunteer Days are always:

1
st
and 3
rd
Saturday of the month, 10-4pm
AND
Every Wednesday, 2:30-6:30pm during our farmers
market!

Upcoming Volunteer Saturday Dates:
October 4
th

October 18
th


We would love to see you out on the farm!
Families and people of all ages are
welcome!