After the Earth Day presentation about the Willits Energy Farm at Brookside Elementary School we have noticed an increase in the number and frequency of volunteers to the site. In the presentation we pointed to a great opportunity for the community to continue to get involved with the evolving project by joining us on the farm on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Today I looked up from planting potatoes with Jason to notice four people weeding the strawberries, one person sitting in a comfortable chair and watering the fruit trees, and two other people raking and carting loose sod away from future seedbeds.

The volunteers mentioned how impressed they were to see what had grown from what, only a few months ago, was a grass covered field. Friends and strangers were having conversation as they weeded among the strawberries and most people were smiling as they worked. This afternoon the site acted as a hub of interaction, stories, and effort. I don’t know what to expect from future volunteer sessions but I was glad to see what occurred today. By witnessing the participation and apparent community solidarity my pride and energy has been boosted as we continue to manifest this demonstration project in Willits.

Volutneers Working Together on the Strawberries

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