Here you can see 3 recently planted beds under the Oak Creek covered beds. Once the plastic covers were placed over the plots, the soil had to dry out a little before it could be worked. It's been a very wet season here in Oregon!

Organic Farming at its finest!

The basis of Organic Farming is not to use any synthetic inputs for the soil. Instead, putting organic material back into to soil through natural methods is a great alternative. Organic material -aka- "fallen leaves" are placed over the soil (with Precipitated Calcium Carbonate to raise the pH) which are broken down naturally by microorganisms.  The soil is turned and formed into a "raised bed" which allows for superior drainage. Take note that when the soil is turned, the soil isn't broken up and pulverized into a fine granular substance (like a rototiller would do). This allows for the preservation of naturally occurring bacteria ecosystems! In one pinch of soil, there are ONE BILLION organisms! All of which have a specific role in the food chain and soil-nutrient health!

Once the soil is turned, shaped, and spread, Organically certified OMRI approved fertilizer is spread out. Compost (used for potting soil) is then lightly spread out so that our vegetable seedlings can be planted.

You can see above a variation of lettuces, spinach, fennel, and radishes just starting to flourish. The tent to the left will have tomatoes! To the far right is where our garden of eatin will begin. More picture to come!!

The class is responsible for these beds which the produce will be sold at the Corvallis Farmers Market!