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!

Soft Cheese making with Sue Romas - #3
Ages 10 and up.
March 15th, 2008
10am-12:30pm

Cheese making is an ancient and simple way to preserve fresh milk. We'll make two kinds of fresh, soft and delicious Farmer Cheese from scratch, taste a variety of homemade cheeses, and in the end you'll get some cultures to make your own. Why buy expensive imported chevre when you can make it yourself from local milk?

Taught by Sue Romas, farm resident and homemaking expert. Sue's only been making cheese for a little while but she's really, really excited to share the joy of homemade cheese with everyone. Crackers for tasting and tea provided.

Registration for the cheese classes is limited to 6 folks.
Preregistration is required.
Sliding Scale donation for this class: $20.00-30.00

Family friendly: there will be childcare available during the workshop for a small fee, although no small children will be allowed in the kitchen due to space and safety concerns. please let us know in advance if you are needing childcare during classtime.

PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRIED:
please email: workshops@tryonfarm.org

Soft Cheese making with Sue Romas - #5
Ages 10 and up.
May 17th, 2008
1:00 -> 4:00pm

Cheese making is an ancient and simple way to preserve fresh milk. We'll make two kinds of fresh, soft and delicious Farmer Cheese from scratch, taste a variety of homemade cheeses, and in the end you'll get some cultures to make your own. Why buy expensive imported chevre when you can make it yourself from local milk?

Taught by Sue Romas, farm resident and homemaking expert. Sue's only been making cheese for a little while but she's really, really excited to share the joy of homemade cheese with everyone. Crackers for tasting and tea provided.

Registration for the cheese classes is limited to 6 folks.
Preregistration is required.
Sliding Scale donation for this class: $20.00-30.00

Family friendly: there will be childcare available during the workshop for a small fee, although no small children will be allowed in the kitchen due to space and safety concerns. please let us know in advance if you are needing childcare during classtime.

PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED:
please email: workshops@tryonfarm.org

Making Wool into Felt
Thursday December 20th 6:00-7:30pm
with Samantha Backer

Turn wool into felt, and learn to make slippers, handbags, and other lovely creations for yourself and others.

Taught by fiber crafting maven, Samantha Backer of Tinctoria Designs. Sliding Scale $25-60, materials included.

TO REGISTER:
on-line: http://tryonfarm.org/share/civicrm/event/info?reset=1&id=15
email: workshops@tryonfarm.org