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Writer's pictureElaine

LEAF News September 2024

Every LEAF Day Brings Change

Thinking outside the box but living within a regenerative circle

- From Elaine, LEAF President -


LEAF is an environmental organization that has fully integrated regenerative agricultural practices into our gardens to restore soil health, to fight climate change and to help fix the food system. We have also taken the next step to incorporate regenerative design to reduce use of resources and to impact our environment and our community positively. So what does all this mean?


Simply said, in linear design resources are extracted, used, and discarded as waste, i.e. buying "fast fashion", quickly discarded cheap clothing made of synthetic fabrics. In circular design, the goal is to maintain value by minimizing waste by reusing, repurposing, and recycling, i.e. buying second hand, selling or donating clothing. In regenerative design the focus is on holistic sustainability, restoring natural resources and promoting social well-being i.e. buying less, buying organic fabrics and sustainable brands, and donating to organizations that repurpose with a purpose like Bra Recyclers or Dress for Success.


LEAF and Regenerative Design - Our Worm Bin Farm

Our Worm Bin Farm is an example of the regenerative design philosophy incorporated into our gardens. Our worms live under a shaded trellis in plastic bins, handmade wood boxes, and repurposed bee hives. Different types of bin materials are used to understand and teach others the strengths and weaknesses of each.


Our worms are fed bite sized pieces of fruits and veggies. In turn, their poop makes nutritious fertilizer that is fed to transplanted seedlings. Those seedlings grow into healthy plants with an abundance of produce and is donated to Tri-City Volunteers (TCV), a local food bank. TCV distributes our produce to their clients and in turn, they collect food scraps for us to feed our worms. It's a continuous regenerative circle.


We have two partners, Bay Area Redwood and Urban Machine, that have developed amazing businesses incorporating regenerative design. They both transform wood destined for the landfill into locally sourced premium wood products.


 




Bay Area Redwood mission is to promote sustainable lumber practices and preserve the natural beauty of our bay area community through crafting awe-inspiring works of art. Bay Area Redwood keeps fallen trees out of landfill by recycling, processing and curing the wood to make locally sourced high quality handmade wood products for homes, offices, restaurants, and public parks. https://www.bayarearedwood.com

Fallen trees are typically destined for a chipper to create wood chips

Logs can be milled into slabs, timber, lumber and custom millwork

Milled wood slabs fashioned into custom furniture


 

Salvage the Past to Build the Future

Urban Machine mission is to salvage millions of tons of wood waste from construction and demolition by using AI and robotics to reclaim wood for reuse as locally sourced, premium lumber products. Their machines turn lumber waste from demolition into high value lumber products.

Construction waste destined for the landfill, but wood can be removed



Demolition/Construction Wood


Reclaimed Wood


 

Last Weekend Workshop of 2024

Syndee will give a demo about honey harvesting. Each participant will process honey from honeycombs and take home one jar of the honey. Tools and equipment are provided. Workshop to be held at LEAF Stone Garden. Max of 6 participants. Registration is required. Details are available at Weekend Workshops.

 

An online platform for you to engage with others from your home on the first Wednesday of each month from 7 to 8 pm. Join experienced gardeners for an online gathering. We'd love to have you regardless of your gardening experience. Register at fremontleaf.org/talkindirt.

Next online gatherings are Wednesdays Sept 4th and Oct 2nd


at Fremont Main Library

Saturday, September 7th: Importance of Cover Crops with Guy

What's all the hype about cover crops? What is a cover crop? When should I plant cover crops? Learn about cover crop basics.


Saturday, October 5th: Onions, Onions and Garlic with Guy

Did you know that onion bulbs form in response to day length? Do you know what day length onion grows best in the Bay Area? Come to this workshop to learn all about onion and garlic basics.


Fremont Main Library, Fukaya Room A, the first conference room on the right after you enter the library at 2400 Stevenson Blvd, Fremont.

 

We have fresh wildflower raw honey and composting worms for sale. Honey and worm sales fund their dormitories and medical care.

Autumn Special: $20 for a pint jar, $10 for 1/2 pint, $8 for 1/4 pint

Composting Worms are $20 for a small plastic container.

Purchase at our LEAF Shop.

 

At LEAF, we work year-round to feed our community by planting, nurturing, and harvesting fresh produce that we donate to our local food banks such as Tri-City Volunteers and Centro De Servicios.

YTD Produce Donations: 4050 lbs.

Our 2024 Goal is 4500 lbs. We are 90% of the way there!


 

Thanks for your donations of 1351 lbs of fruit this year!


We accept donations of fresh, perfect and imperfect fruit every Monday and Thursday from 9 to 11 am at LEAF Stone Garden.

More in info at fremontleaf.org/glean

Have questions? Email us at info@fremontleaf.org


 

LEAF volunteers are needed on the 2nd Saturday of every month from

9 am to Noon to help us tackle projects that benefit from a group effort.

These volunteer hours count towards the high school community service hours requirement. Be a part of a community helping a community.

We also have projects that will qualify for Scout Eagle and Gold Projects.


 Our next volunteer days are: Saturday Sept 14th and Oct 12th

More info at fremontleaf.org/volunteer


 

Please hit the donate button if you feel aligned with our mission so we can continue to develop spaces to educate our community, build healthy soil, and provide food for those most in need.

Any amount you can give is greatly appreciated.

We also accept checks. Payable to LEAF at PO Box 2816, Fremont CA 94536.

©2023 Local Ecology and Agriculture Fremont (LEAF)

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