Some LEAF Days are a challenge
- From Elaine, LEAF President -
Last month, I opened the newsletter with this sentence, "One of the most interesting aspects of volunteering at LEAF is when I enter the gates in the morning, I only have a vague idea of how the day is going to unfold." That statement was so true when I walked into the garden on Wednesday. It was a beautiful autumn morning, air was crisp, sun was out. I was happy to be there to show the Alameda County Water District's Education Team our garden that showcases regenerative farming practices including many water conservation techniques, and to discuss possible collaborative workshops in 2025. The ACWD team thoroughly enjoyed our garden and our water saving approaches. We agreed to continue discussions on defining workshops for next year. YAY!
After they left, I noticed that the doors of our Tool Container and Bee Shed were wide open. This was odd because I was the first one at the garden. As I walked closer, I realized that we had been burglarized, again! I was not a happy gardener. This was the third time this year ; (
The burglar cuts the fence, breaks the locks, and then steals our tools and supplies. Thereafter, our amazing infrastructure team goes into action resecuring the fence and strengthening the locks. Then slowly, we replace the missing items. Months later, the burglar repeats the scenario; tears down the patched fence, breaks the new locks, takes the NEW tools and supplies. He even has the gall to look into our camera.
After this third break in, I finally had a "duh" moment. The burglar comes back every few months after we replace the stolen goods. ARGH!
But like Charlie Brown with his encounters with the Kite-Eating Tree which symbolizes "defeat, but not capitulation", we will not give up and will continue to try to stop the Hoodie Burglar. Any ideas?
Mediterranean Fruit Fly Quarantine
Strategizing about what to plant next year with a Medfly quarantine slated to continue through July 2025 has our heads buzzing.
LEAF was invited to an open house with the Alameda County Dept of Agriculture / Weights and Measures last week. We hosted a table on honeybees with live bees in our observation hive and spoke to over 75 Alameda County employees about honeybee and their swarms. We were in bee heaven. We also had the opportunity to speak with several departments including those involved with the Medfly quarantine.
On September 9, 2024, the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) established a quarantine for the Medfly in Fremont/Newark. Since then the quarantine has expanded into Union City, Sunol and Milpitas where additional Medflies were found. An infestation of the Medfly could have huge impacts to California's agricultural. It is considered one of the worst agricultural pests in the world with the widest host range of 260 plants of any pest fruit fly.
CDFA along with Alameda County Dept of Agriculture are aggressively trying to stop an infestation of the Medfly in our area. They are setting more traps, removing fruit and extending quarantine areas when flies are found, and educating the public. They are currently releasing 20,000 sterile Medflies per week in the quarantine areas.
CDFA webpages with detailed info:
CDFA Pest Hotline: 1-800-491-1899
LEAF has taken the following actions due to the quarantine:
Restricting donations of tree fruits, nuts, berries, tomatoes, pepper, eggplants from our gardens to food banks, friends and neighbors
Not accepting gleaned fruit (i.e pomegranates, persimmons and all citrus) from our community
Begun strategizing about what to plant in spring when transitioning from cover crops/winter veggies to spring/summer fruits and veggies with the quarantine slated to run to July 2025.
LEAF Talkin' from your home
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 Nov 6th and Dec 4th
We have fresh wildflower raw honey and worms to sell. Honey and worm sales fund their room and board. Purchase at our LEAF Shop.
Raw Honey: $20 for a pint jar, $10 for 1/2 pint, $8 for 1/4 pint
Composting Worms: $20 for a small plastic container
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 Tri-City Volunteers and Centro De Servicios. Currently we are only donating herbs, cucumbers and squash due to the quarantine.
We aleady passed our 2024 GOAL of 4500 lbs. YAY!
YTD Produce Donations: 5047 lbs.
Gleaned Fruit Program on HOLD
In September a Medfly quarantine was put in place by the California Dept of Food and Agriculture. Currently it will be in effect until July 2025. What this means is we cannot accept any fruit donation at this time.
More 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 Nov 9th and Dec 14th
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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