From the Classroom to the Field....

         Yesterday marked the last English class of the season for many of the farmers. They mentioned the word 'graduation' a few times over the course of the class, indicating that they would like to move to the advanced ESL level next year.

      Above, we managed a serious photo, and below is a more accurate picture of what our time in the classroom is like, full of laughs and amusing chaos. There is SO much humor in communicating across languages and cultures, and we manage to remember that laughing is almost always the best remedy in places of confusion and misunderstandings.

      Some of the farmers mentioned the things they still want to work on: "I want to be able to talk to my customers, tell them that i am a Somali woman, from Somalia..." and things they have improved on this semester, such as using the calculator, writing vegetable names, and learning the vocabulary of a typical market day. Our hats are off to you farmers! Learning English with passion and drive on top of starting a farming business is not an easy feat.

            Thanks to the Lewiston Adult Education center for hosting us, supporting us and inspiring the farmers to advance and continue their language and literacy education.

CSA Group Delivery

Are you part of an organization / office / church / yoga studio etc. that may be interested in signing up for a CSA as a group? 

Here are the perks: 

        As one person alone, we are very powerful. As a group of people, we are even more powerful. There are things we can do together, that we can never do alone. The office delivery aspect of our CSA program allows for an effective partnership between two groups of people who agree to mutually support each other. Although we love the office drop off possibility, everyone is encouraged to sign up either through a group delivery, or individually. 

Here is how it works:

1. You let us know that your office, organization, church or group of friends is interested in learning more about the CSA.
2. We offer information, either through materials, or informal Q and A sessions or lunchtime presentations. 
3. You come together as a group and decide what types of shares you individually want.
4. Eight or more people ready to sign up and you sign up!
5. You get matched to a Fresh Start Farmer, who will be growing the food for your office all season long. 
6. You then get a weekly delivery to your office or organization space, at the same time each week. All produce is grown on the acre or half acre farmed by the farmer you are matched with. 
7. Take home your bag of fresh, local, organically grown vegetables:
8. Prepare some wonderful dishes
9. Serve them up
10. Enjoy! knowing that you are making the absolute best choices for your body, your family and friends, your community and your planet.