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Wolverine Farm Publishing’s Project Sweatshop at Colona Community Farm 2009
Details
Project Sweatshop is a skill-sharing literacy outreach program. It is designed to improve the overall health of our community by empowering children to learn how to sustain themselves from other community members, and to teach them how to write about their experiences in a creative and useful way. For 2009, Project Sweatshop will be at Colona Community Farm in LaPorte, Colorado. Children will learn about the life cycle of a CSA farm--from planting to harvesting and everything in-between, all the while writing and recording everything they learn. After Project Sweatshop ends in October, we'll compile and organize the children's writings and publish them.
Project Sweatshop is free and open to any child aged 7-10. We will make age exceptions, especially if parents agree to accompany their children. Each program is limited to the first twelve students who RSVP to Todd Simmons at:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it one week before each program. Program availability is first come, first serve, no exceptions. The programs do build upon one another, but each one is structured so that children may learn a great deal even if they only attend one time. Unless otherwise noted, all programs held from 9am to Noon at Colona Community Farm. For those wanting to commute to the farm by bicycle, a group ride will leave the Matter Bookstore promptly at 8:15am. If you are driving to the farm, please have your children there by 8:45am.
Saturday, April 25th
Farm Introduction and Planting
Potatoes will be the adopted crop for the season, and if weather/time permits, the class will plant potatoes. The class will observe the potato crop each time they visit the farm and will participate in planting, weeding, bug control, and harvesting. We will also talk about phases of the moon and why it determines our planting dates.
Saturday, May 23rd
Transplanting
We’ll transplant tomatoes and peppers and talk about the various other types of crops that are suitable for transplanting.
Saturday, June 13th
Water & Irrigation
The class will discuss different methods of irrigation. The class will move pipes, visit the pond, river, and irrigation features that are close to the farm. We’ll walk the Poudre Trail to see how water is diverted from the river and to discuss the history of water use in Larimer County. If we have time we will also visit the garden at the Old Feed Store to talk about his gravity fed drip irrigation system.
Tuesday, July 14th
Cultivation & Weeding
We will talk about and participate in different methods of weeding practiced on the farm. If all works out the class will weed the potato patch so that they can continue building a connection with their adopted crop.
Wednesday, August 12th
Community Supported Agriculture
A class on Colona’s CSA model. Students will learn the details of our CSA and will participate in harvesting, washing veggies, and packing share boxes for our CSA members.
Tuesday, September 15th
Harvest
The class will help to harvest root crops during this class. We will harvest, bunch and wash carrots and beets. We will also discuss different harvesting techniques required for various plants.
Friday, October 2nd Evening Celebration 3pm to 6pm
Potato Harvest and Fall Celebration
We will fire the mud oven so that after the potato harvest we can celebrate the season with a potato based meal. |
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