Happy December Friends! We spent the first part of our month in preparations for our annual holiday market, which was a great success. A big thank you to those who were able to make it out and support us. We still have product available online for purchase. Post market, December helps us embrace a slower pace and rest. With winter weather underway we have time to dream and plan what we'd like to do with our garden space next year. On warm days we enjoy getting outside for some fresh air and sunshine. We are slowly pulling up plants that have died back and use them for our brown matter in compost. Another major project we work on through winter is defining our pathways and beds with laying cardboard, compost, and wood chips. This is the time of year we take some time to reflect on how our CSA ran, with feedback from a survey we conduct with our CSA members. We talk about what went well, where we could do better, and if anything was missing. Trainees also share input with what they enjoyed the most, what they would like to grow next season, and any new tasks or skills they would enjoy trying in the new year.
Garden plans, design, seed inventory, seed saving, seed ordering, and supply ordering are also underway. We practice crop rotation and companion planting to naturally keep pests and disease at bay. Crop rotation in simple terms, is planting groups of crops in different areas for a number of years and rotating which group goes where. This also assists with soil health and weed management. We have received several seed donations from some of our favorite companies, Eden Brothers, Seed Saver's Exchange, and Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Co. which helps us keep down our costs and expand the garden with new varieties of vegetables, herbs, and flowers. These are all wonderful companies that have shown us generous support. Check them out for all of your garden needs. This year we are hoping to create a section in the garden, for trainee use only. This means that anything grown in this area will go directly to trainees to snack on, use for cooking class, used for growing specific food for Chef Connie, as well as feature flowers for trainees to cut and take home for themselves. We also hope to create a roadside stand for excess produce and flowers this year. We see this as an opportunity to connect to our community and spread the word about the Center. With that, we most likely will have more volunteer opportunities for those looking to connect with the Center. If you would like to be part of any of our volunteer teams in 2025 please email libby@centerforlivingandlearning.com to get connected.
Thank you for your continued support during 2024 and we look forward to another wonderful year ahead. Wishing you a healthy, happy, and peaceful holiday season!
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