Family fun, as Zenger Farm days continue

Here’s a good way to get ‘down on the farm’ without leaving outer East Portland. Check out what you might find at the next ‘Open Farm Day’; they’re holding more of them in October …

Checking in the families arriving for Zenger Farm’s “Open Farm Day” is Freda Endinjok, who also works with their nutrition program.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton

Since it first opened to the public in 1999, Zenger Farm has helped teach thousands of people – including school kids – about healthy food: How it’s grown, and the importance of eating it every day.

They continue offering programs at the Zenger Grange, which opened in July, 2015. To read about the grand opening six years ago, CLICK HERE.

Ready to welcome guests to another “Open Farm Day” here’s Zenger Farm Coordinator Jen Maynard.

“Welcome to our ‘Open Farm Day’,” said Zenger Farm Coordinator Jen Maynard as we stopped by on August 28. “This is important for bringing community together, and for making sure that people know that they are able to access the land to grow food.”

Zenger Farm Community Engagement Manager Beatriz Gutierrez demonstrates how to make tortillas with “masa harina” – dried corn masa.

“Land for gardening is not available to everybody; so, it’s one of the important parts of what we do here,” Maynard told East Portland News.

In addition to having an opportunity to visit the “Children’s Garden”, set below the Grange, on this special day, Zenger Garden staff member demonstrated how to make tortillas from scratch. And, a staffer provided the supplies and know-how for making a sunflower critter feeder, too.

Kathryn Mathew, Farm Educator at Zenger Farm, shows guests how to make their own sunflower “critter feeder” to take home.

Open Farm Days continue in October
On October 9, it’s a “Fall Fermentation Fest at Zenger “; and then, on October 30, “All About Squash” is the theme of their Open Farm Day.

The fee they charge, per family, is on a sliding scale, or “pay as you can” model. Advance purchase is required. To learn more, CLICK HERE to open our Community Calendar for details.

Friends of Zenger Farm is a 501(c)(3) non-for-profit organization; and it’s located at 11741 SE Foster Road, 97266. For more information call (503) 282-4245 or email to info@zengerfarm.org.

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