Dear Farm Friends,
Please note that we will NOT have a regular community workday this Sunday, September 3.
However, we WILL hold our weekly Monday workday on Labor Day, Sept 4, 1 – 5 p.m., so please feel free to join us then!
And don’t forget about our workshop series! Over five weekends in September and October, our donation-based Fall Workshop Series will offer both farm newcomers and regular volunteers a chance to deepen your knowledge, explore a new skill, or pick up some tips and ideas you can apply in your own garden or kitchen. All workshops will take place at the farm.
Our first workshop of the season will help you get a head start on planning for winter, while it’s still summer:
Planning a Winter Kitchen Garden
Saturday, September 9 — 10 a.m. to Noon at Alemany Farm
Instructor: Jason Mark
Here in coastal California we’re blessed with the ability to grow food crops all-year long. What crops are the best to plant during the Bay Area rainy season? When is the best time to plant them? And what challenges can one expect from a winter garden? We’ll address these questions and others during this workshop, and you’ll come away with a better understanding of how to garden during the winter. Winter-appropriate vegetable starts will be on sale while supplies last. Participants have the option to join our regular community workday following the workshop.
Jason Mark is a co-founder and volunteer co-manager of Alemany Farm.
And on the following weekend, participants get a chance for a rare up-close experience of our pond ecosystem…and then some snacks:
Water Gardening/Pond Clean Up Workshop & Solar Cooking Demo
Saturday, September 16 — 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Alemany Farm
Instructors: Brett Stephens & Kerry Hughes
Come out to help with our late summer pond maintenance while you learn about aquatic plants and water management. The day will include a discussion on pond ecology, the importance of water sources on organic farms, strategies for management and creating plant and animal diversity. Bring your hip waders or rain boots, if you have them (a few will be provided), gloves, snacks to share, and join us in getting your hands wet!
After our work in the pond, join us in our outdoor kitchen for a snack, prepared in our solar ovens by Kerry Hughes. Participants are encouraged to come early if possible (10 a.m.) to help harvest food from the farm for the snack.
Brett Stephens is co-owner/project manager of San Francisco Landscapes. He is certified in permaculture design, a Bay-Friendly professional, ARCSA accredited professional, and a long-time volunteer at Alemany Farm.
Register for a workshop.
Other upcoming workshops include:
Building Healthy Soil: Soil Basics, Soil Fertility, and Cover Crops
Saturday, September 23 — 10 a.m. to Noon at Alemany Farm
Instructors: Abby Bell and Evanthia Skalkos
Preserving the Harvest: Pickling and Fermentation
Sunday, October 1 — 10 a.m. to Noon at Alemany Farm
Instructor: Mei Ling Hui
Introduction to Urban Beekeeping
Saturday, October 7 — 10 a.m. to Noon at Alemany Farm
Instructor: Fernando Aguilar
Find full descriptions and register for workshops on our Workshops page.
Suggested donation per workshop is $20 per person; no one turned away for lack of funds. All donations will benefit Friends of Alemany Farm via our fiscal sponsor, the San Francisco Parks Alliance, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. You can pay with cash or check at the workshop. Checks should be payable to San Francisco Parks Alliance.
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We hope you’ll come to a workshop (or a few) and to Harvest Festival (October 21), but please also join us for one of our upcoming regularly scheduled community work days. Get your hands dirty and take home some veggies:
Sunday, September 3 – NO WORKDAY
Monday, September 4, 1 – 5 pm (Labor Day)
Saturday, September 9, Noon – 5 pm
Monday, September 11, 1 – 5 pm
Sunday, September 17, Noon – 5 pm (including work in our native plant areas)
Monday, September 18, 1 – 5 pm
Saturday, September 23, Noon – 5 pm
For more information about visiting the farm and joining our community workdays, see our Get Involved page.
Thank you for your support. We hope to see you soon!