Another Week at The Sylvia Center

This week we had several programs, each very different from the others. From teens to summer campers, the Sylvia Center will have interacted with around 100 kids by this week's end!

On Tuesday, a small group of teenagers from Albany came to Katchkie Farm. These teens were involved in a "youth organics" summer program, so they already had some gardening experience under their belts. They also had plenty of enthusiasm for and interest in the day's activities. They scuffle-hoed large weedy swathes of the children's garden like the task was an olympic sport, and they carefully created individual pizzas with vegetables harvested from the garden. It was a nice change of pace to work with older youth; I really enjoyed answering their smart questions and joking around with them during lunch.

On Wednesday, a very large group of kids from the Hillsdale summer recreation program visited the farm. Julie, Jenn, and I managed the 50 kids ages 5-12 by dividing and conquering! Julie showed them the animals; even the littlest ones got a chance to hold or pet a chicken and all of the kids voted on names for our four new piglets. Jenn instructed the kids in chopping vegetables and cracking eggs for the day's lunch: wood-oven roasted vegetables and poached eggs. I led the kids on a tasting tour of the garden and helped them plant bee-friendly flowers. On the walk back to the bus I saw lots of smilies and laughter among the campers. It was a fun day on the farm for all!

On Saturday, Julie and Jenn will lead a food and art inspired program for 20 kids at Olana. I overheard plans to create an "Edible Landscape" with the kids--I'm excited to hear how this program turns out!

Today, Thursday, I spent all day in the garden accomplishing big arduous tasks (hilling up potatoes) and small fun jobs (weeding tiny carrot plants). It was lovely to work in the sun close to the soil. The picture displays some of my (hard) work :)

Find more news about The Sylvia Center at: http://sylviacenter.org