Soil Born & Sac Valley CNPS Nursery?
From: Shawn Harrison  Executive Director
Soil Born Farm Urban Agriculture Project
916 486-9686

The American River Farm near Haggin Park in Rancho Cordova will serve as the second urban farm site and permanent home of Soil Born Farm Urban Agriculture Project. This farm site is the last piece of agricultural ground within the 31 mile-long American River Parkway, a county park resource that sees nearly a million more visitors a year than Yosemite National Park. The opportunity to permanently preserve 40 acres of the 300+ acres within the historic American River Parkway farm site is simply an amazing opportunity. In partnership with the California Native Plant Society, Soil Born is developing plans for food production growing grounds, a native plant nursery, native plant and wildlife restoration activities and interpretive programming for the public. Collectively, our hope is that this site will enhance the parkway visitors experience, while educating about and preserving the unique native plant and wildlife resources of this special river ecosystem.

We have not circulated this or any other write up about the project yet due to the sensitive nature of the project site. I would really like to highlight this site as CNPS's future base for the Sacramento Chapter.  We are ready to develop a fundraising and site development plan as soon as possible.

Fundraising and site development is slated for the 2006 season. We hope that supporters will commit their voice, time and resources to help realize this project. For more information please contact Shawn Harrison at 916 486-9686.  If you would like to be involved in the native plant nursery, native plant and wildlife restoration activities and interpretive programming for the public, please contact Chris Lewis at lewisc@surewest.net.

Soil Born Farms
from Chris Lewis

Soil Born Farms. is a non-profit organization which is the current lease holder on a 40 acre farm at Goethe Park (at the end of Chase Drive in Rancho Cordova).  Their vision is to have an organic farm which shares produce with low income folks, sells at farmers markets, plus teaches organic farming practices and environmental education, restoring banks on a ditch that extends the length of the farm, and now want to include growing native plants in their greenhouse operation!,  They have already partnered with the Sac Natural Food Coop and others and want to explore partnering with us!  Certified organic vegetables, flowers, and fruit production. Kids tours, educational gardening workshops for adults, volunteer opportunities, local chef sponsored dinners, and Fall Equinox Festival."  Shawn wants his people to get together with a contingent from our CNPS chapter to help draft a presentation for the American River Parkway & Rancho Cordova.

I told Shawn of our interest in having a Chapter Nursery with the primary intent of growing Sacramento Natives for County use as well as for backyard gardeners who want local natives in their gardens.

This is the piece of land that had been designated as a Native Plant Nursery in the Parkway Plan.  I see this as a tremendous opportunity for both of our organizations to do wonderful outreach & education!

Last week Mary Maret & I met with two teachers at Florin High School who are doing Environmental Education thru a program in Winters (yes 1 hour away!). (This program is co-led by Audubon.  Audubon would be another natural partner for this project!)  Next week I'll be meeting with Mira Loma students who are renowned to have The Environmental Education. program focusing on creeks in the Sacramento area.  Earlier this month Betsy & I met with Guy Galante, a teacher who developed a curriculum for his 6th graders where they learn about and from the American River Parkway.  He would like to expand it for other teachers.

All of this screams for an Environmental Education Center for Learning.  How about a hands-on learning center on the Parkway that encourages stewardship in all areas of Sacramento?