Farmer's Night Out 2012

Even though it was cold and rainy outside, the atmosphere at Patrona Restaurant and Lounge was warm and cheery this past Monday in celebration of national Food Day. Community members and local farmers gathered for Farmer's Night Out- a celebration of local food and all who grow it.

Dinners enjoyed a delicious and locally sourced menu including pumpkin, chard and fried pepper lasagna, potato hash with smoked wild boar sausage and vegetarian surf n' turf with delicata squash and seaweed. Food has a way of bringing people together and this was the perfect setting for farmers and community members to meet and mingle.

We also raffled off a $50 gift card to the Ukiah Farmer's Market in recognition of the 35th Anniversary of this local food institution.

 A big thank you to all who contributed: Aqua Gardens Family Farm, Zeni Ranch, Mendocino Grain Project, Sharmrock Artisan Goat Cheese, Inland Ranch, Cinnamon Bear Farms, Leonardis Organics, Mendocino Organics, Dillanni Gardens, Ocean Harvest Sea Vegetable Company, Schat's Bakery, Stella Cadente Olive Oil Company. And of course thank you to Patrona and staff for hosting this delicious event!

Thank you to all who came out to show your support! Can't wait to see you all again next year!!

If you missed the event click here for pictures!

Extend Your Growing Season!

This Saturday, the Gardens Project and the Mendocino Agriculture Department is holding a row covers and hoop houses workshop! Learn how to use simple tools to prolong the life of your garden this fall and winter!

Location: Mendocino College greenhouse 1000 Hensley Creek Rd., Ukiah

Time: 2pm

Instructor: Tom Gervase

There will be Spanish translation offered

Free to all!

United Way's Day of Caring

 

People were chatting and sipping warm coffee at Ukiah's Civic Center bright and early on Friday, September 21st as a kick off  to the United Way's Day of Caring: A day meant for people to come together and serve their community by volunteering. The Mendocino College Women's Basketball team and a few other caring individuals joined the Gardens Project at Mayacama Industries in order to turn an old, filled in swimming pool into a useful garden. The crew spent the day pulling weeds, digging trenches, installing irrigation, building the garden bed and moving it into place. Because of their efforts there is now a place where the members of Mayacama can grow their own fresh fruits and vegetables.

Thank you Russ Troxler, Garret Troxler, Corrinne Chaulk, Jody Steliga and the Mendocino College women's basketball team as well as the great folks at Mayacama for all your hard work!

For more on the Day of Caring check out this article in the Ukiah Daily Journal or click here to see more pictures!

We Ran the Ranch!

Sunshine, fresh air and community support was abundant Sunday, September 30th at the Run the Ranch 5k! Jaxon Keys Winery generously hosted this fundraiser for the Gardens Project to help support the continued building of community and school gardens. Over 50 people came out to run or walk the course that wound through rolling hills and beautiful vineyards of the winery. Participants were rewarded for their efforts with a farm fresh lunch. Kids had a great time making their own organic smoothies with our smoothie bike and adults enjoyed complementary wine tasting on the porch. Winners of each age category took home a bottle of  Jaxon Keys wine or spirits.

A big thanks to all who came out to support the Garden's Project!
 Thank you to all who made this event possible:

- Schat's Bakery

-Lovin' Mama Farm

-Jaxon Keys Winery

-North Coast Striders 

 -Our wonderful volunteers: Lauryn Ringwood, Lucy Shapiro, Jessica Ohland, Kristin Cutler, and Elizabeth Archer!