Boulder Daily Camera Article: 30 June 2010 “Urban farm raises consciousness alongside beets and tomatoes”
Letter from a Community Volunteer: Summer 2010
Dear Flatirons Neighborhood Farm,
I am so grateful for the opportunity to work with you. In my experience at the farm I learned so much, and am now able to confidently move forward with my teachings and use the skills, I learned, at the new community garden I work for.
I would like to give a special thank you to Scott Hoffenberg, my teacher and mentor during the short time I had with the farm. I came to Scott needing experience in gardening before I moved to Berkeley California to volunteer for a Cooperative living house and their neighborhood garden. I only had a month and some weeks of time with the Flatirons farm, but can honestly say I learned more there in those short weeks then I can even use here in Berkeley. Scott taught me everything, from watering techniques, to the names of everything we grew. He showed me pests that eat the plants, and ways to rid of them. Scott taught me about mulch and compost in his own hands on classroom outside his house. I can honestly say I’ve never had more fun playing in dirt. I planted seeds, and watched them grow; I picked basil, and always came home with the smell on my hands. When the time was right, Scott showed me how to harvest the vegetables, and I got to eat the fruit of the plants we raised! I grew peas, and learned to string them. I planted lettuce, and watched it grow. I pulled Brussels sprout plants infested with a bug which was not the most pleasant of experiences, but with every seed, plant or weed I planted, plucked or pulled; I learned something more valuable than I ever knew possible. I learned how working and living with the earth brings excitement and lessons with every day. I can never thank the farm enough, and thanks to Scott, I know that I have more urban farming in my future even when I’m done here in California.
Thanks again and again, to all the people I met the families who helped, and the farm that grows, for the experience I can never forget.
Tina Phenix – Volunteer, Summer 2010
Cafe Aion September 2010 Newsletter
It’s about time we give thanks and props to the bike messenger cum community farmer who arrives at our back door at frequent intervals with a trailer of goods. Scott Hoffenberg, the mastermind behind Flatirons Neighborhood Farm (or FNF as you’ll see them abbreviated to on our menu), has created a gem right here on The Hill. Based out of the corner of 7th and University, Scott, with the help of neighbor’s yards and friends’ hands, has created a CSA that is truly of the community, for the community. We couldn’t feel more privileged to work with this guy.
Here’s how it works:
Me on the phone: “Hi Scott, what are the chances of getting some basil this evening”
Scott: “Chances are good, but can you wait until it cools off so I can pick the basil at the optimum temp?”
At around 8pm, Scott, on his bike, rolls thru the Aion alley, balancing both a cooler and a box with 2lbs of pristine basil.
Scott: “You gotta come see what else I harvested!”Scott has showed up with much more than just basil. He has 20lbs of apples, squash blossoms, nasturtium and raspberries. They’re all beautiful and fresh, not mention grown a mere 6 blocks away! Fried squash blossoms become the special for the night, Apple pie is baked for desserts and I (with the help of the staff) gobble down the raspberries and nasturtium flowers.
This is what it is all about for us at Aion, making friends, truly cooking what is in season and supporting our community. I can’t wait until next year, when I will be able to donate my new front yard on the Hill to the great care and skill of those at Flatirons Neighborhood Farm.
Thanks Scott!
-Café Aion: September Update 2010