4. The Farmer: Volunteers
1. Susan Peltola
volunteering for 20 years
friend, right hand
coordinates volunteers and field trips
shares housing
previous careers in dentistry
real estate to generate income
friend, right hand
5. The Farmers: Volunteers
2. Chris Peltola
volunteering for 14 years, since age 6
Susan’s son
20 years old
7. The Farmers: Volunteers
Other Volunteers
daily, seasonal, one time, periodic, etc.
scheduled, not drop-in
Boys and Girls Clubs
LAUSD used to, but cut funding
now only privileged schools
Pepperdine
Long Beach College
schools in West L.A. and Topanga
Crossroads
Steiner
9. The Farm: History
Established 1955
family-owned property (Allan’s parents)
10. The Farm: Certification
1. Certified Organic
no chemicals, no pesticides, no chemical
fertilizers in the last 10 yrs.
only mulch and compost
(manure from neighboring farm)
11. The Farm: Certification
Certified Organic
Alternative Methods to Pesticides:
Rototilling plant more!
inhibits comfortable gofers eat some, but not all
environment for insects vegetables
12. The Farm: Certification
Certified Organic
Alternative Methods to Pesticides:
alternative food for thistle:
thorny plant
birds
around pumpkins
sorghum
keeps larger animals
looks like corn
wild parrots eat it instead away
of other crops
13. The Farm: Certification
Certified Naturally Grown
farmer-based certification program
only for small farms that grow and sell produce locally
open walk-about inspections
“...each farm is the basis of authenticity and
verification for the public.” –Allan
public-verifiable
14. The Farm: Physical Parameters
Location:
Malibu, off of Pacific Coast Highway
Zuma Mesa and Bonsall Canyon
Size:
6 acre farm
15. The Farm: Physical Parameters
Soil:
adobe clay
rich in nitrogen
manure; aged 4 months
16. The Farm: Sustainability
H20 well
electric pump
300 ft deep
H20 from Bonsall Canyon
watershed at the precipice of Canyon
runs a riparian course
riparian: situated on the bank of a river
has never run dry
1000s of years of silt-rich soil
need solar power source to be off the grid
17. The Farm: Wildlife
Some Animals that Visit the Farm:
Cranes
Crows
Racoons
paragrin hawks
Deer
Snakes
Rabbits
Gofers
ferrets
wild parrots
18. Engaging the Community:
Programs
organic farming classes
8 week program
funded by city of Malibu
Wed. and Sat.
crops planted by students in class
farm to school outreach
internships
instructive volunteer programs
inner city field trips
Summer Solstice Festival and Show
stage: used to hold plays and musicals
none in last 3 yrs.
19. Engaging the Community:
Field Trips
25 kids, 6 adults,
$10 per child
tour and education
help harvest tomatoes, peppers, wild greens
(purslane), pumpkins, figs
lunch at farm; ate food they harvested
kids purchased organic produce at farm stand
picture for Malibu newspaper