The Lake Oswego City Council will discuss the Luscher Farm Master Plan this Tuesday July 12th at 6pm in Council Chambers, 380 A Ave. This is a work session so there will be no public testimony, but a good turnout is still essential to let the councilors know there is widespread support for the farm. The staff report is available here.

The City of Lake Oswego is working on a Master Plan for Luscher Farm, but the current draft plan would build parking lots & two new artificial turf fields on the organic farm. If you want farming to continue at Luscher Farm please let the City know by filling out a quick online comment card before Sunday July 10th. If Luscher Farm is to continue to provide fresh local produce to the community then THE FARM NEEDS TO STAY WHERE IT IS NOW – on great farmland that has been improved by years of organic production. The draft master plan proposes to relocate farming to the east side of the property (#18 on the map), but these fields are steep, wet & ill-suited for year-round organic vegetable farming.

We had a great group of folks out to the farm yesterday and we really appreciate all their help! The volunteers put in a total of 31 hours and had a great time making flash tape flags and planting. If you want to come help us out at the farm check here for upcoming volunteer opportunities.

Please come & comment in person if you can!

PUBLIC MEETING
PARKS & RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD
LUSCHER AREA FINAL DRAFT SITE PLAN

Wednesday, June 15, 2011 at 6:00 p.m. in the Willamette Room at the West End Building (4101 Kruse Way), the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board will meet to discuss the Luscher Area Final Draft Site Plan. MIG, Inc. who is developing the Luscher Area Master Plan will present history/background information on the site, present the site plan and provide insight into the design of the plan. Citizens are encouraged to attend and provide comments.

Starting June 20, a two-week, online public comment period for the Luscher Area Final Draft Site Plan will be available at www.luscherplan.org.

To view the agenda for the upcoming meeting www.ci.oswego.or.us\parksrec\prab.htm.

The next Farm Work Party is coming up Sat. September 3rd at Grand Island!! The plan is to move irrigation, do some weeding, and build tables for the new greenhouses. There will be tours of the new farm and you can meet our draft horses Patty & Bonnie. We try to always have jobs and fun for people of all ages and abilities. Hope you can join us!!

Where: Grand Island Farm, 18200 SE Lower Island Rd, Dayton, OR
When: Sat. Sept. 3rd, 10am – 2pm Hang out with us afterwards for the potluck BBQ
RSVP to 

More info about other volunteer opportunities HERE.

I was so impressed with this movie!! Thank you Monique & Luscher Farm for hosting us all last week for a preview. It was a powerful story about a group of kids here in Portland that are taken away from their computers and cell phones for a trip into the wilderness. It also includes insightful commentary from a wide variety of international experts. They make a compelling case that the increasing amount of time kids are spending in front of screens has negative impacts on their own brain development and for society as a whole.  The movie was produced here in Oregon by Meg Merrill and the next showing is at Lewis & Clark on June 11th.

Watching the movie renewed my commitment to getting kids out onto the farm! Here is a list of classes & activities happening at Zenger Farm & Luscher Farm this summer. You can also bring your kids to our CSA volunteer days & work parties. More info here.

All of the 3rd & 4th grade classes from Hallinan Elementary School came to visit Luscher Farm last week. I was VERY impressed with how much they knew about food & farming. Sounds like they have a great garden project at their school too! At the farm they got to see a little bit of everything including the Children’s Garden, Community Gardens, and the CSA. Hope to see them back at the farm this summer for classes, camps and the CSA!