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Health & Fitness

Growing Green: The Beginning of a Homestead

Follow two Watsonville residents as they build a homestead, develop an educational program and connect to the community.

Perhaps the realization began to take root during my daily commute over Highway 17. Or maybe it was in those articles about the sharp increase in diet-related illnesses, or in my own challenges with fatigue and food allergies. Was it during those conversations with my coworkers about how Americans as a whole are overfed, but undernourished? Surely those beautiful Sunday afternoons at the farmers market provided inspiration. All of these experiences are ultimately what led me to change the direction of my life and career. Although that direction was not initially clear, I knew it involved growing food and connecting to a community.

Fast forward three years after working on a local farm and attending the UCSC Farm and Garden Apprenticeship Program, and we are living in Watsonville on 1.5 acres. The short-term plan: to create a homestead in which we are growing the majority of our food including eggs and some meat. Next, apply my past experience as an educator for students with social learning challenges (such as Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome), and create a program that allows these students to develop the art of growing food while learning to work more successfully with others. Future goals: operate a farm stand with the students and host community classes, inviting community members to share their skills with others. 

Fabulous, the plan is done. Now comes the work. Growing up in the suburbs, I am largely unfamiliar with septic systems, well systems, and just about any other system that is involved with living “in the country,” or even simply maintaining a home. Maybe it wasn’t so much growing up in the suburbs, but growing up female. Why aren’t women taught these skills as a general practice?  Why did it take me 30 plus years to realize these skills are important, really important?  About time to start those tomatoes and peppers in a greenhouse, and we have reclaimed materials that would be great for a greenhouse, but wait, I don’t know how to build one! Thus, the journey has begun.

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Very quickly I’m realizing how much I depend on others for knowledge, tools and support. I’m particularly grateful to those in the community who have been willing to take the time to answer my ever increasing list of questions. Our close friend Kevin, who first saw the beauty in this property among the weeds and house badly in need of repair, has been indispensable in teaching us about the well, septic system and millions of other words of advice and insight. Mike Galloway at Soil Control Labs in Watsonville patiently explained the results of our creek and well water tests, as words like “coliforms” are not a part of my vernacular. At Pajaro Valley Irrigation, Gary helped me find the drip tape coupling valves I needed without any sense of irritation or intimidation that I had recently experienced at other irrigation supply stores. When I learned they accepted cash or checks, Gary kindly told me to drop off a check at my convenience. The simple act of telling me I could pay later created a sense of belonging to an intimate community. Helpful folks such as these who are willing to invest a few extra minutes and pass along their wisdom gives me hope that I too can learn to fix the well pump, or at least identify where the problem is originating... that I can build simple structures... and efficiently grow healthy and delicious food. Spending a few extra minutes is a worthy investment, as I promise to pass along this knowledge and these tools to the next generation. Then perhaps they will instinctually understand the importance of homegrown food and their part in contributing to a vibrant, more self-reliant community.                  

My ambitions are high. Learn to become a producer rather then strictly a consumer.  Grow food, preserve food, build things, contribute, conserve. Stay tuned. 

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