Garden Models received with enthusiasm.

Mission High Principal Eric Guthertz and Vice Principal Laura Parker attended the presentation of models, drawings and plans for the redesigned garden at Mission High. Both CCA and Mission High students gave animated and inspired descriptions of their desires for the garden and received applause and support for their goals. The big question: When can we get started? Two work dates for concrete removal were set! Many hands went up for Saturday work parties.

Mission High Teens Visit CCA

CCA students hosted the teens from Mission High for an engaging and informative tour of their San Francisco campus. The teens had a chance to see all the departments. The big hit was the laser cutter! Several of the high school students expressed interest in learning more the application process.

Yard Clean Up!

"Many hands make light work." Maybe...
About 50 students and teachers moved a mountain of dirt today in the first step towards redesigning the garden area. Congratulations!

First Meeting! Mission High and CCA

Three classes from Mission High hosted a tour of their campus to the CCA mentors.
We were a hugh circle! Maybe 50? Many words of affirmation were brought into the circle from "fantabulous" to "collaboration" and "synergy". All the adult leaders restated the shared project goals:
CCA mentors will offer "capacitation" in both visioning a revived and expanded garden, as well as sharing practical skills in design and construction. Building, planting and art-making (murals) are the
current objectives.

CCA Field Trips: Ramping Up for Mission High

During January the CCA class, Home Grown, went on several field trips to explore our local environment
and learn the basics for the Garden Design project with Mission High.

We visited the Bay Model in Sausalito, created by the Army Corps of Engineers, to learn about our watershed.

Flora Grubb Nursery, San Francisco, provided stunning examples of plant forms, with a special focus on drought tolerant species. (Plant structure and identification: a memory drawing exercise).

The Farmers Market and C.U.E.S.A., Ferry Building, San Francisco provided a "scavenger hunt" exercise about sustainable agriculture to be adapted for teen learners. www.cuesa.org

The Edible School Yard, Berkeley, is a stellar example of a learning garden for middle school students.

(Students practiced drawing the site layout and special features.)

Special features include a solar-pump fish pond, a stone pizza oven, chickens, mushrooms, water catchment, a peg-joinery barn from a old redwood tree, a lush array of edibles, the beautifully equiped and organized kitchen and happily engaged youngsters!