TLC Farm 2007 Accomplishments

TLC Farm Accomplishments in 2007 Land Projects *Shaped bioswales and planted native plants to direct and store storm water in three different areas of TLC Farm. Transformed approximately 15,375 square feet (over a third of an acre!) from invasive blackberries into food forests and organic gardens. *Site for the 7th Village Building Convergence, hosting workshops on food foresting, weeding for fertility, and swales/greywater. VBC participants removed blackberries, planted a food forest and re-designed the Village Green. *Installed Portland's first public composting toilets! Along with increasing TLC Farm's ability to host visitors and classes, the toilets are a new educational tool, inspiring a PSU Master's Thesis and discussions about sewage and composting with every field trip that visits the farm. *Successfully birthed and raised six baby goats, and sold 90 gallons of raw goat milk from TLC Farm. Partnerships and Advocacy *New and continuing partnerships with SERA Architects, Shining Star Waldorf School, Trackers NW, City Repair, Architects Without Borders, Architects For Humanity, Ancestral Lifeways Community, Portland Permaculture Guild, Coalition for a Livable Future, Center for a Sustainable Today, Salmon Nation, Sunroot Gardens, Cedar Moon, and more! *Partnered with Shining Star Waldorf School to host Mother Earth Kindergarten, the nation's first bio-immersion kindergarten. *Launched ReCode Portland, a campaign to develop new legal codes and permitting processes to allow for sustainable residential design. Education Hands-on Sustainability Youth Education Program * Hosted 103 field trips to over 1200 students and 300 adult chaperones. * 19 volunteer teachers gave 292 teacher hours * All classes provided on a donation basis, with $5540 in donations received this year * Held TLC Farm's first sustainability-focused summer camp and second annual youth drum camp. * Helped catalyze networking meetings with other farm/garden educational programs in Portland * Received a $20,000 grant from Spirit Mountain Community Fund and hired Matt Gordon as part-time education coordinator. Community Education *Hosted the Earth Activist Training in May, a two-week residential permaculture design certification course for 20 participants. *Received a $3,500 Community Watershed Grant from the Bureau of Environmental Services to construct educational land signs, and have begun to design and construct the signs. *Completed a comprehensive guide to over 100 medicinal plants found or grown at TLC Farm, which is available both on our website and as a laminated compilation to use while visiting the farm. *Hosted over 20 community workshops on a variety of sustainability-related topics. *Hosted seven interns, with internships from one week to one year, *Hosted service projects with groups including Nike, PSU, AEI, Riverdale High School, Gilkey Middle School, Lewis & Clark College, and Northwest Service Academy Americorps. Approximately 120 volunteers gave about 8,800 hours — WOW!!! TLC Farm is truly a volunteer effort, fueled by the love and generosity of the community. Thanks for another great year!