A homeschool group visited last week and Denise, Alison, and Aloma spent a few hours giving them a glimpse of pioneer life. The parents of the group said they would be teaching them about California history soon. We gave them a tour of the house and farm and led them in a rain stick making craft to take home, The 16 students learned about laundry in the late 1800s and tried their hand at using washboards and the wringer outside, Then they went inside to the kitchen, where they learned how to churn butter! The students loved tasting their own homemade butter and had a great time visiting!                                                                                                                             Photos by Alison Clary

Marian taught her 8th and final class in the permaculture series today. It was a beautiful sunny morning, and the participants enjoyed learning about the many varieties of mushrooms, their relationship to other plants, and how to cultivate them. They reviewed all they had learned over the past 8 weeks, and then went outside to learn how to create the ideal compost (and compost tea), using just the right balance of carbon and nitrogen and brown and green layers, properly mixed together (plant material, newspaper scraps, cardboard, coffee grounds, food scraps, and more!). Everyone went home inspired to apply what they learned in the classroom (and field) to their own gardens. We hope to see participants at the upcoming Plant Sale and Expo at the Urban Farm on April 15!                                                                                                                                          Photos by Alison Clary
                                                                                                              

RRHC President Denise Koroslev was honored at the Soroptimist International of Diablo Vista luncheon at Contra Costa Country Club on Wednesday for being a Woman of Distinction! Tina Young, Recreation Superintendent for  PH Parks and Rec, introduced Denise and remarked on her dedication to RRHC for the past 20 years and how she has made a positive difference in our community.  Board Members Alison Clary and Aloma Levine were in attendance, along with PHRPD General Manager Michelle Lacey, Pleasant Hill Mayor Michael Harris, and many others!                        

Rodgers Ranch Urban Farm has their 5th annual Expo and Plant sale Saturday, April 15, 10am - 4pm. Visit exhibitors; take free mini gardening classes; enjoy tasty lunch by DVC Culinary; tour historic farmhouse, and more! For more information, go to:
http://www.rodgersranchurbanfarm.org/2017-spring-festival-plant-sale/

Saturday was Marian Woodard's 7th class in the permaculture series offered at RRHC. This class was jam-packed with information on herb spirals, keyhole gardens, and mandala beds. Participants visited examples of these efficient and aesthetic gardens on site up the hill and learned tips for building them back home,   The 8th and final class in the series is next Saturday, March 25.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           Photos by Alison Clary

Jan Pinkerton-Spieth from the Mt. Diablo Beekeepers Association presented a workshop today entitled "Backyard Beekeeping." Beekeepers and novices alike learned about the biology, behavior and preferences of honeybees, current threats to their survival, and how to keep bees healthy and happy. Participants got to see "the girls" up close; Jan always brings bees with her to presentations. Everyone enjoyed sampling honey from Jan's own honey bees, along with honey made from pollen from raspberries, pumpkin, and chestnut trees! It was an enjoyable, busy (bzzzz-y) and sticky sweet couple of hours for all!                                                                                                       Photos by Alison Clary

Last Saturday, Marian taught her 5th class, entitled "Trees, Guilds, & Food Forests," in her 8-part permaculture series. The class learned that a guild is a system of efficiently grouping different plants together for maximum success. The diversity of plants should include food for you, food for the soil, climbers, supporters, miners or diggers, ground covers, and protectors. Only 3 classes left in the series! If you want to register, go to www.sustainablecoco.org!
                                                                                                                                  Photos by Alison Clary