Today, Ms. Cooper’s 4/5 class from Erickson school learned about how delicious veggies are grown at Cartwheel Farm. Cartwheel Farm is an organic community farm in Erickson that grows about 150 varieties of seasonal vegetables. Laura and Nigel, farmers extraordinaire, gave us wonderful tour.
As we gathered in the beginning of the tour the students were able to taste fresh radishes and salad turnips, that were just picked from the garden. ‘I like spicy radishes’ said Adelaide. While other students surprised themselves by going back for multiple salad turnips and devouring them like apples. Laura said that because Cartwheel Farm grows food for the community, they have adapted and changed what kinds of veggies they grow to suit the community. One vegetable that is a hit with the Creston community is salad turnips!
The class has been growing radishes, peas, lettuce and more at their school garden. One thing they have been practising is watching the plants grow to see how they can help the plants to grow better. Laura encouraged the students to add nuance by observing the individual differences within a row of radishes for example. Are there some radishes that came up first? Are there some radishes that grow really round, while others stay skinny? Laura explained that farming is a relational practice. The farmer is is in relation to the soil, the people that help grow the food, the plants, the weather and the community. Observation, care and respect is at the foundation of growing good food.
We also saw that Cartwheel Farm has 96 solar panels. Just like the veggies, the farm uses solar power. The solar electricity powers their automated greenhouses, turns their compost, and to powers their electric veggie delivery van. The farm also builds soil and reduces the waste stream of two other businesses. Their compost takes all the weeds and waste from the farm, brewery mash from a local brewery and wood shavings from a wood mill. This makes beautiful organic compost to feed their crops, that then feed the community.
At the end of the tour Laura asked us why is it important to have the conditions to make healthy plants on the farm? The students answered so that the food can be tasty, nutritious and fresh. ‘Yes, we are food powered beings, and healthy food can help us become the best versions or ourselves’. Laura
Thanks to Cartwheel farm for taking the time to go deeper into understanding our relationship with food and community!