The Connections class continued to move out of the classroom and into the world with a whirlwind week of fieldtrips to local farms and conscientious companies. Each section had a uniquely crafted experience, coming back together to share out about their diverse visits. While a few locations from previous semesters were revisited (ever beautiful farms Green String and Open Field, both of Petaluma), OS33 had the pleasure of seeing many new sites including the Petaluma Seed Bank,Thistle Meats in Petaluma, and exploring the vendors and panels at the National Heirloom Exposition in Santa Rosa. Continue reading for a reflection on some of these experiences from Graham G:

This week, we explored the work we've been doing in Connections class around regenerative agriculture and its impact on the world by visiting various farms and markets that practice healthy, regenerative farming. Each section visited a different farm and/or market, where we heard firsthand from those involved in food growth how important it is for us to consider not only the quality of the food we eat, but also the health of the land it comes from. Regenerative agriculture is a concept that challenges farmers to grow food in a way that reinvigorates the soil with nutrients for a better, healthier farm, and drastically increases the soil's ability to soak up excess carbon. We connected the concepts we've been learning about farming to our reading of Thoreau's Walden and our own personal lives by writing essays about food-related memories. This gave many students the opportunity to share experiences from home and with family that reminded us all how much the food we eat brings us together as a community.
above: at Open Field Farm. photos: Jessica K || below: shots from Mo Elgazzar of Green String Farm, Thistle Meats, and the Santa Rosa National Heirloom Exposition.