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S A N TA C R U Z S E N T I N E L . C O M 2021 READERS CHOICE AWARDS | FEBRUARY 17, 2022 | 15 We are proud that you voted us "Best Local Credit Union" Thank you for making a real difference by banking locally! Come in and experience the credit union difference. Federally Insured by NCUA. Equal Housing Lender. all that the farm does and grows acces- sible to the public. "Through field trips, overnight science camps, summer camp, farm walks, partnerships and events, Farm Discovery works to empower youth and families to regenerate health in food, farming, nature, and community. Live Earth Farm is the fertile ground on which these programs flourish." In 2021, there were more u-picks than in previous years: most weekends from May through October, with limited numbers allowed at each. "Pre-pandem- ic we would have hundreds of people on the farm for the first strawberry, tomato, or apple pick of the season. This year we ticketed those first events to manage attendance to a low-risk level and raise money for Farm Discovery's on-farm education programs." The season started with strawberries in May, followed by blackberries throughout the summer, and dry farmed Early Girl tomatoes beginning in August. In October there was apple picking and a Pumpkin Patch. "On any given weekend, you might find potatoes to dig, carrots to pull, cherry tomatoes, green beans, or sweet peas to pick too," she says. They also had a stand open every weekend selling seasonal varieties of the farm's 50 different fruits and vegetables. Kimberly Mangum, who first went to LEF for a U-pick in Summer 2019, has attended strawberry u-picks three times over the last couple years with her husband and 3 children. "I like to pack a picnic lunch and make a nice day trip out of it," she says. "I love the opportunity to breathe fresh air, get my hands in the soil, and connect with the land. My children learn to appreciate the sun- kissed fruit and experience a wonderful organic farm." Peter Swartz's first time at the farm was Father's Day 2021 for the strawberry u-pick; he also did a tomato u-pick later in the year. He attended with his wife An- drea, mother-in-law Deborah, three-year- old daughter Evalyn, and infant son Leo. They got to do a tractor ride farm tour during one of the u-picks. "On the tractor ride we picked potatoes, onions, and some leafy greens," says Peter. "At the u-picks I love the hands-on experience for the kids, the educational aspects about the farm and farming in general, and the connection to our food system," he says. "The u-picks were so refreshing in a year of uncertainty," Jessica shares. "Having missed a full year of our community events, I was so happy to be out in the fields with a bunch of happy families doing what we do, which is making connections between our com- munity and our food system that lead to health. It was really sweet to show little kids how to braid garlic, and it was fun to meet new families who had never been to the farm before and see longtime CSA members again after a full year or more." Meagan Plumb and her family first visited the farm about 5 years ago and attend u-picks about twice a year, picking strawberries, apples, black- berries, and tomatoes. "There's a lot to love at Live Earth - the farm itself is so beautiful and welcoming, and the fruit is delicious!" she says. "I especially love that it's a tradition for us as a family to go year after year."

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