Dear New School Parents:
I wanted to introduce myself to you and tell you a little about the NSW's involvement at Ocean View Farms.
My name is Sarah Pinder, and I have been asked to be a parent liaison to the Ocean View Farms (OVF) plot. For those who don't know me, I am a returning parent and my son is Sam Pinder. (West Winger and is known by his nickname, Samuelito). I am an avid gardener, and I grow plants, flowers and veggies in my garden in Santa Monica.
When my eldest son was at NSW, I headed the Gardening Committee all three years and am thrilled that I can help out again.
OVF was established in 1976 and is the largest community garden in Los Angeles. It is a fantastic array of rectangles that lay together in a grid, each producing an incredible variety of flowers and vegetables. Every inch of each plot is put to use and the productivity of these small parcels of dirt is truly amazing. It is a magical place, that is as much as a feast for the eyes and it is for the table.
We are there due to the due diligence of Kris Hansen, who is instrumental in getting us involved with OVF. She, as well as the teachers have been tending to the garden each week, as well as exposing the children to the process of growing crops; from seed to harvest we have been involving the children. The goal of the plot is to make New School-West aware of this engaging part of our community here in Venice. To connect you and your children so that a sense of place is broadened beyond our school walls and your own street. It's our hope that when your children are grown, they will reconnect with their childhood through these first experiences by revisiting them and remaining involved in the community. It's a part of the New School-West intention to reach outside of our school's walls so the children are effected and have an effect on our neighborhoods. OVF is one of the ways that we are attempting to do that this year.
As we continue to develop relationships with OVF and tend our garden, we are inviting all of you to get involved. You and your children are welcome to come and dig, weed and water. We need lots of help at the garden and the more hands we have the more we can create, grow and reap. You will LOVE it up there. The sun shines on your back, there is light cool breeze and nature as far as the eye can see. A true rarity in LA.
Our next big step is to make raised garden beds for the plot. I have all the dimensions already, but I need help at the lumber yard, building and installing. If you can help with this please email me at sapinder@mac.com.
We will then need diggers and planters. If you can help with this, please email me at the above address.
We have several ways for you to come and see the plot. We will be planning several more field trips, as well as work days. Or if you simply would like to visit and see what all the fuss is about, I'd be happy to meet you there and give you a tour.
Please forward any questions you have for me and look for further blogs about the garden at http://www.nswparents.com/ . If you would like to check out the website it is: http://oceanviewfarms.net/
Thanks
Sarah Pinder.