Resources

GYP Website
Food Security Video
APC Website
Ploughshares Nursery
Cycles of Change APC

On October 25, 2008, Growing Youth Project (GYP) introduced the farm to the APC community, and to our friends and families. People came from near and far to celebrate with us and enjoy food and good company. The day was just like it was meant to be. The sun was shining, children laughed and played, and GYP made history for all youth.

The Growing Youth Project team enjoys a meal at our Harvest Festival

We had a great DJ that kept everybody dancing, and the many activities included pumpkin carving, painting flags, and scarecrow making. Some of our supervisors faced off in an apple bobbing contest where competitors only had 30 seconds to grab an apple in their mouths. Everyone, wet and glistening in the sunlight watched as competitors strived to be the best apple bobbers. We saw lots of different techniques and people definitely got wet enough to cool off! We also hosted farm tours to show off our accomplishments and people were given strawberry seedlings from Ploughshares Nursery to take home and transplant.

Kate and LaShaelia face off in an apple bobbing challenge

We really enjoyed how many friends, family and supporters came throughout the day to help us out, and we really appreciated the opportunity to share our work with our community. We also appreciated APC staff and volunteers for coming out early in the morning to help us set up, and we hope they will come back to help us keep up our farm as it changes over time. We are already looking forward to next year’s Harvest Festival!

^ top

News from the GYP Farm
by Dylan Hale, age 16, on the GYP team since summer 2008

One of the new projects on our farm is our aquaponics system. The aquaponics system is a fish tank that cleans itself. Using trays of plants placed above the fish tank, a water filtration system waters the plants and gives them nutrients from the fish waste, such as nitrogen. The water is cleaned and filtered by the plants before it flows back down into the fish tank. We plan to grow tilapia, which is a yummy white fish.

by Tia Ukpe, Project Specialist on the GYP team since 2008

by Georgia Hale, on the GYP team since summer 2008

On October 16-18, 2008, I took part in my first Bioneers conference in San Francisco. Bioneers, started in 1990, is a nonprofit organization committed to restoring the Earth's ecosystems and healing human communities. It plays a powerful role in informing people about different solutions to the problems we face. This year, GYP members Kate, Georgia, and LaShaelia joined several other members of youth programs that advocate for healthy foods and healthy lifestyles.

(From left) Georgia, Cassie and LaShaelia pose for a photo at the conference

We visited many workshops over several days. First, we learned about an environmentally-friendly fungus that can help get rid of insects and keep away other pests. Without spreading like other fungus or mold, the fungus wraps itself around its victim and suffocates it.

LaShaelia and I attended a youth workshop where we learned to reuse old materials and how to make use of worn out clothing lurking in the back of our closets. The workshop showed us that even played-out clothes can still be revived to look brand new.

After a long day in the heat, Bioneers provided us with lunch and dinner. The food wasn’t what I expected but when I went ahead and tried it anyway, I found out the chicken was exquisite.

At the end of the four day conference, we said goodbye to the other youth groups and went our separate ways, knowing it wouldn’t be long before we saw each other again.

^ top

by Jerrard Green, age 18, with GYP since its inception in 2005

Jerrard weeds vegetable beds on the GYP farm

In September, I traveled with Evan, our Production Specialist, to Milwaukee, WI to learn more about farming and justice in the food system as part of the First Annual Growing Food and Justice Gathering. Growing Power put on the conference. I got to fly in an airplane for the first time in my life and I loved it! I think that Growing Power is a cool organization that people should visit and learn more about. Growing Power is a national nonprofit organization and land trust supporting people from diverse backgrounds and the environments in which they live. They help by providing equal access to healthy, high-quality, safe, and affordable food for people in all communities.

At the gathering, I met lots of people from different organizations that are doing the same thing as the Growing Youth Project but have different ways of doing it. One girl travelled all the way from New York City to be there. I also got to visit the Growing Power Farm. They run their farm differently than ours. A majority of what they grow is in greenhouses because it gets really cold in the winter in Wisconsin. I also enjoyed the way they work with their animals. They have goats, ducks, chickens, bees, and…FISH! Before I went, I did not think you could grow fish on a farm; that was COOL to me. Now that we saw it was possible, we are on our way to farming fish here at Alameda Point Collaborative.

I enjoyed the experience and the opportunity to travel to a different state and be able to share with and learn from so many peers.

^ top

Cameron Holcombe, 16, has worked with GYP for one year

Ingredients 1 winter squash 6 tablespoons butter ½ cup finely chopped onions 3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley 1 teaspoon dried oregano 1 teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoons freshly ground black pepper 2 egg yolks 1/3 cup heavy cream ½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese or other cheese (jack or cheddar is good!)

Directions
1. Cut the squash in half lengthwise and scrape out the seeds.
2. Cover each half with plastic wrap and microwave 12-15 minutes or until soft.
3. Melt 3 tablespoons butter in a skillet. Add the onion and cook until it is limp.
4. Carefully (it will be hot) scrape the cooked squash into a bowl along with onion, 2 tablespoons of the parsley, oregano, salt, pepper, egg yolks, and heavy cream.
5. Beat or mix well and add 1/3 cup of parmesan cheese and stir.
6. Transfer the mixture back to one of the squash shells, place in a baking dish, and sprinkle with rest of the cheese. Or use a casserole dish if the shells don’t look good.
7. Bake the squash in a preheated 375° F oven for 20-30 minutes or until the squash is puffed and the parmesan cheese is bubbly.
8. Sprinkle with the remaining parsley.

Winter squash comes in different shapes: Round, elongated, scalloped, or pear-shaped with flesh that ranges from golden yellow to brilliant orange.

Winter squash have hard thick skins and can be stored in a cool dark, well-ventilated place for up to one month. Winter squash can be cut in halves or pieces. In order to cook them, first remove fibers and seeds; then bake, steam or boil the squash and enjoy.

Winter squash is a good source of complex carbohydrates such as starch; it also has fiber and is also a source of niacin, potassium, iron, and beta carotene. Beta carotene is what makes up the yellow pigment you see in squash.  It converts into Vitamin A in your body and is involved in sight, growth, and cellular reproduction.

^ top

Kate Casale
Program Coordinator
Growing Youth Project

www.apcollaborative.org | (510) 898-7828 | Alameda, CA