Farm Day 2011

California Women for Agriculture (CWA) hosts Annual Farm Day

California Women for Agriculture hosted their annual Farm Day , June 1, at Los Primeros Elementary School in Camarillo, California. This year The Channel Islands Gourd Society was invited to join as part of our Outreach Program to the local community.

Shirley Gorman, Outreach Coordinator for CIGS, and Janie Knappenberger, past Coordinator participated in sharing the history, horticulture and crafting of gourds. Eighteen groups of students; 317 total children and 54 adults experienced how CIGS's networks with the community. Students were introduced to how we have used gourds throughout our history and their purposes in our lives. The students witnessed gourds straight from the fields to creation of various utilitarian, musical, ceremonial and decorative crafts.

Each class was presented with a kit for starting gourd plants. Some students also participated in the "what do you know about gourds" game and won additional gourd items for crafting.

This event was very educational for the children and their teachers, and is why this event is so popular around our county. CWA's goal is to promote awareness of the connection between the produce we grow and the animals we nurture, and just how they effect our daily lives.

Channel Islands Gourd Society has already been invited back for next year's event.