August: Summer Squash Stoke Grove Farm · 2017-09-30 · Oxnard plain. He is the fourth of five farming genera-tions, with more on the way. McGrath Family Farm grows a wide variety

August: Summer Squash Grown by

Stoke Grove Farm

Summer Squash Fun Facts

The world squash comes from the Narragansett Indian

word for raw or uncooked.

Squash falls into two categories: summer and winter

squash. Summer squash is tender and has a thinner,

edible rind. Both are high in Vitamins A and C.

Squash originated in Mexico and Central America. The

American Indians shared its seeds with Europeans and

it is now grown all over the world.

Farmer Story

Stoke Grove Farm is found in Mira Monte near Ojai. Farmer Wiley Connell

farms over an acre of diverse crops and animals. Wiley chose to be a farmer

because he loves plants and working in harmony with the Earth. His farming

philosophy is not to force function on plants or animals and to have fun every

day. He is happy to be growing for VUSD because he believes students

deserve highly nutritious food so that they are set-up to succeed. “In order

for we humans to be able to continue with the earthly endeavor, the land

needs to be respected as something sacred.” – Wiley

For CalFresh information, call 1-877-847-3663. Funded by

USDA SNAP-Ed, an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Visit www.CaChampionsForChange.net for healthy tips. •California Department of Public Health

Photo Captions: Farmer Wiley Connell

Star on map shows approximate location of Stoke Grove Farm.

September: Tomatoes Grown by

Underwood Family Farms

Farmer Story You may know Underwood Family Farms from their fresh, locally grown,

produce, but they do much more than grow fruits and vegetables. They have

locations in Somis and Moorpark, and do birthday parties, farmer’s markets,

pick-your-own produce, school tours, gift baskets, a Fall Harvest Festival

and more! Their mission is to strengthen the relationship between the

community and the farm by providing delicious, fresh produce and fun farm

adventures.

Photo Captions: Farmer Craig Underwood.

Stars on map show approximate locations of

Underwood Family Farms

Tomato Fun Facts

The tomato is a member of the nightshade family of plants, which

also includes eggplant, potatoes, and chili peppers.

The tomato was grown by the Aztecs and was called xitomatl

("plump thing with a navel").

Tomatoes have lots of vitamin C, vitamin A, and beta-carotene. That’s good for your heart and bones and good for fighting

cancer!




October: Carrots Grown by

Join the Farm!

Farmer Story Join the Farm! is a four-acre farm in Santa Paula. Farmer Reyna is passionate

about growing healthy food for her family and yours, using sustainable, or-

ganic practices. Crops are sold to local schools and through a CSA program.

Some crops are donated to the local community. Join the Farm has great

programs for schools, school-age children, youth development, and leader-

ship, to promote healthy eating, good nutrition and a greater connection to

the farm community. http://theabundanttable.org/jointhefarm/

Photo Captions: Farmer Reyna Ortega.

Star on map shows approximate location of

Join the Farm!

Carrot Fun Facts

In the 17th century western carrots first appeared in the

Netherlands. Dutch carrot growers invented the orange

carrot in honor of the House of Orange, the Dutch Roy-

al Family.

The human body turns beta-carotene into vitamin A,

and carrots are one of the best sources for beta-

carotene. Vitamin A is important for the health of our

vision as well as our bones, teeth and skin.




http://theabundanttable.org/

November: Persimmons Grown by

Timber Canyon Ranches

Farmer Story Timber Canyon Ranches is a family owned farming operation established in

1965 to grow citrus and avocados. Their farms are in Santa Paula and Ojai.

The Shores believe in direct marketing and sell at farmer’s markets and to

local school districts. They now grow a variety of crops such as avocados,

tomatoes, olives, apricots, row crops and a wide variety of citrus, including

10 different kinds of tangerines, and of course, persimmons! Look for Ben’s

produce at the Pacific View Mall farmer’s market on Wednesday mornings

and downtown Ventura farmer's market Saturday mornings.

Photo Captions: Farmer Ben shore.

Stars on map show approximate locations of

Timber Canyon Ranches

Persimmon Fun Facts

In traditional Chinese medicine, persimmons are thought to regulate ch'i, or energy flow.

In Ozark folklore, upcoming winter weather can be predicted by slicing a persimmon seed and seeing the shape inside.

Persimmons provide dietary fiber, potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron and manganese. They also contain vitamin C and beta-carotene.




December: Spinach Grown by

San Miguel Produce

Farmer Story The folks at San Miguel produce have been farming for three generations

and share a passionate spirit and love for the land and its fruitful bounty.

They believe the rich soil and mild climate of the Oxnard plains grows some

of the freshest and healthiest produce in the country. They specialize in

dark, nutrient-rich leafy greens. San Miguel grows, packages and ships its

own produce for real farm to table freshness. Look for their produce in your

local grocery store. http://www.sanmiguelproduce.com/

Photo Captions: Roy Nishimori and Jan Berk Star on map shows approximate location of

San Miguel Produce

Spinach Fun Facts

Spinach is a cool season crop and belongs to the goose foot family along with Swiss chard and beets.

Spinach is low in calories, and is a good source of vitamin A, vitamin C, and minerals, especially iron.

Spinach is a native plant of Persia (modern day Iran). It was introduced to the US in the early 1800’s.




http://www.sanmiguelproduce.com

January: Kale Grown by

VUSD Student Farm

Farmer Story

VUSD is lucky to have Chris Massa as a Food Corps service mem-

ber. Chris is supporting school gardens throughout the district,

connecting students to real food and health. Chris also started a

student farm at UC Hansen Agricultural Research and Extension

Center, which supplied over 800 pounds of produce to local

schools and Food Share. Stop by the demonstration garden at the

VUSD district office to meet Chris and discover all the wonderful

things he has going on in the garden.

Photo Captions: Chris Massa Star on map shows approximate location of

the VUSD Student Farm.

Kale Fun Facts

Kale resembles wild cabbage, and may be the ancestor to all of our modern common cabbage varieties.

Kale is a hardy and hearty green, and has been cultivated for over 2,000 years.

One cup of kale provides more than the daily requirement of vitamins A and C. It is also a

good source of calcium and fiber.




February: Oranges Grown by

Harpos Organics

Farmer Story Harpos Organics is a family owned organic ranch in Ventura County, just across the river from Fillmore. The ranch has been in the family for almost 100 years. Harpos relies on nature to grow cover crops, rejuvenate the soil and support the many organisms that keep trees healthy. Farmer Allen thinks his oranges are about the best you will ever taste! http://harposorganics.com/

Photo Captions: Allen Harthorn Star on map shows approximate location of

Harpos Organics.

Orange Fun Facts

Navel oranges are named that because of the “belly-button” on the end. The bigger the navel in an orange, the sweeter it will be.

Christopher Columbus brought the first orange seeds and seedlings to the New World on his

second voyage in 1493. Oranges are high in antioxidants, which fight

free radicals (unstable oxygen molecules) be-lieved to cause aging and some diseases.




http://www.harposorganics.com/

March: Broccoli Grown by

Deardorff Family Farms

Farmer Story Deardorff Family Farms is run by the fourth generation of Deardorff farmers and is committed to giving their customers the freshest, best-tasting fruits and vegetables available. They grow food in a way that is good for you, good for their employ-ees and good for the planet. They use beneficial insects to help control pests, use recycled packaging when possible, and sup-port their employees with fair wages, health insurance, and out-reach programs for wellness, housing, and education.

Photo Captions: Scott and Tom Deardorff

(Left to right) Star on map shows approximate location of

Deardorff Family Farms

Broccoli Fun Facts The word broccoli comes from the Latin word

brachium and the Italian word braccio, which means “arm”.

Broccoli is high in Vitamins C, A, and folate and fiber.

California produces almost all the broccoli sold in the US. Americans eat an average of 4 pounds of broccoli a year.




April: Tangerines Grown by

Churchill Orchard

Farmer Story The Churchill family has been growing in the Ojai Valley since the 1970’s. Jim’s father started with avocados, but changing tastes sent the family in another direction. In 1988 Jim sold his first crop of Pixie tangerines. He and his wife Linda now have about 1000 Pixie trees, as well as other tangerine varieties, like Satsu-mas, Encores, and Kishus, and other citrus like pummelos, oro blancos, and grapefruit. There are still some avocados, even. But Churchill Orchard is best known for their world famous Pixies. www.tangerineman.com

Photo Captions: Jim Churchill Star on map shows approximate location of

Churchill Orchard

Tangerine Fun Facts The tangerine is actually a variety of the

Mandarin orange, which is native to south-eastern Asia.

The name "tangerine" originates from Tangier, Morocco which was the port from which the fruit was shipped.

One tangerine can provide almost half of your daily requirement for vitamin C.




May: Strawberries Grown by

McGrath Family Farms

Farmer Story

Farmer Phil’s roots go back over 150 years on the Oxnard plain. He is the fourth of five farming genera-tions, with more on the way. McGrath Family Farm grows a wide variety organic fruits and vegetables for our community. You can find McGrath produce at farmer’s markets, at their roadside stand off the 101 Freeway, in local restaurants and on your school cafeteria salad bar! www.mcgrathfamilyfarm.com

Photo Captions: Phil McGrath Star on map shows approximate location of McGrath Family Farms

Strawberry Fun Facts If the 525,000 tons of strawberries grown in

California were set end to end, they would stretch around the Earth about 15 times.

In the folklore of several cultures it is be-lieved that if two people split and share a double strawberry they will fall in love.

A strawberry has about 200 seeds, but the seeds are really their own fruit with a seed inside!

One serving of eight medium sized berries has 140% of the vitamin C for your day.




http://www.mcgrathfamilyfarm.com/

June: Avocados Grown by

Pecht Ranch

Farmer Story

Destiny finds you in the strangest times and places. It found Tom Pecht at the age of four, pulling weeds on his family’s farm. That’s when Tom first fell in love with the land. Under his father’s careful eye, Tom learned the art of growing avocados. Though he left at the insistence of his parents to get an education and see what the world had to offer, his deep connection to the land never left him. So after some time in suits, he returned to his roots, to the earth—and the avocados—he’d been hand cultivating since he was knee-high to a grasshopper.

Photo Captions: Tom Pecht Star on map shows approximate location of Pecht Ranch

Avocado Fun Facts Avocados were once a luxury food reserved for

royalty. Archaeologists in Peru have found domesticated

avocado seeds buried with Incan mummies dating back to 750 B.C

The mother tree of all Hass Avocados was born in a backyard in La Habra Heights, California

Avocados provide nearly 20 essential nutrients, including fiber, potassium, Vitamin E, B-vitamins and folic acid.




Documents

August: Summer Squash Stoke Grove Farm · 2017-09-30 · Oxnard plain. He is the fourth of five farming genera-tions, with more on the way. McGrath Family Farm grows a wide variety