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December 2009

To all the Friends of Fairview Gardens,

Looking back on this last year, we have a lot to be grateful for at Fairview Gardens. We continue to grow the fresh, organic produce that so many of you enjoy and are also growing more aspiring farmers than ever before. Fairview Gardens is a true community farm only getting stronger because of your continued support. Due to the economic realities of today, we are receiving substantially less funding from our traditional sources. Please contribute to Fairview Gardens in whatever way you can and consider what your gift can do to support our efforts:

ANIMALS – We have yet to see a child connect with a head of romaine lettuce in the way we have witnessed many connect with our milking goats and laying hens. Visitors of all ages love farm animals! ($25 donation cares for our animals for one day; $500 provides vet care for the year)

APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM – Fairview offers a unique opportunity for people considering a change in career or a young adult exploring the fulfilling job of becoming a farmer. Through our 6-month program, we graduated six apprentices in 2009. Please support us in growing more farmers. ($100 donation provides hand tools for one apprentice for the season; $2,000 funds an apprentice coordinator for one month)

EDUCATION – One of the best field trips each year for many local school children is a trip to Fairview Gardens. Students harvest their own carrots, pick mandarins from our orchards and meet our farmers. As we all know, schools are experiencing less funding each year and fewer classes today have the opportunity to visit our thriving 12.5 acres. ($100 donation supports one tour and opens many young minds to the beauty and importance of urban agriculture; $1,000 helps us print educational materials)

SEEDS – Each year we purchase seeds (as well as save some of our own) so that we can grow the crops that are feeding so many healthy people. It is incredible how many mouths one small packet of seeds can feed. ($100 sponsors a crop for one month; $10,000 donation provides seeds for one year)

FARMERS – Many of you have interacted with our friendly and experienced farmers. Have you met a nicer group of guys? The positive attitudes these men show up with every day certainly adds to the health of the food you eat.  Please consider providing an end of the year bonus to these seven hard workers and long time stewards of this land. 

Here at Fairview Gardens we have a lot to look forward to in 2010. As you can see it is an exciting time and the farm cannot fulfill all the demands and future accomplishments without your help.  A gift of any amount will provide the community assistance we need to continue the efforts that so many people enjoy. We look forward to seeing you on the farm, meeting you at the farmers market and knowing that our farm is kept productive by the support from our friends.

With gratitude,

Toby McPartland, Farm Manager                       Adrianne Davis, Board President

CUAFG is a 501(c)3 organization; your donations are tax deductible (EIN#93-1213893)

To donate, please send a check (payable to Fairview Gardens) to:

PO Box 396, Goleta, CA 93116 and note "donation" on the memo line