Grains Grains Grains at Jackson-Via

Humans have grown and milled grains such as corn and wheat for thousands of years. For most of those years, the task was accomplished with hand tools. As part of the Kindergarten Social Studies unit Long ago and Today, three classes at Jackson Via learned first-hand to make flours from whole corn and wheat, while wondering what everyday life was like more than 100 years ago.

Students used mortars and pestles, a tool that was commonly used by Native Americans, as well as a hand-cranked grain mill. After grinding the grains, we sifted them through a sieve to separate out the coarse grind from the fine grind. Coarser cornmeal is often used for polenta or grits while finer cornmeal is often used in baking. Some students chose to give the coarser corn or wheat to students who were using the mortar and pestle and grain mill in order to make it finer.

Throughout the lesson, students were asked if they could imagine grinding grains every time you wanted to have bread – it’s a lot of work! After all that hard work we sat down to taste cornbread with apple butter. The cornbread was made with corn and wheat flour. As students ate their cornbread and apple butter, they looked at pictures of what is was like to make apple butter over 100 years ago. Back then, apples would have been cooked in a copper kettle over a fire all day and all night. There are still communities around Charlottesville who practice this tradition in the fall.

UACC: Celebrating Twelve Years of Growing

The farming life is fraught with uncertainty about the weather. On the Saturday before UACC’s Fall Garden Gathering, the temperature struggled to reach a chilly 45 degrees before dropping back below freezing. But then just like that, Sunday arrived with sunny skies and an almost balmy 66 degrees. The day grew brighter still with the laughter of children skirting about the big tent set up for the event, a day bookended by cheerful greetings and bittersweet memories.

It was the end of an era at Friendship Court. After 12 years of working side-by-side with community members to grow and share healthy food, UACC put its flagship garden to bed for the last time. Next Spring, instead of kale and collards, new housing will rise out of the rich soil nurtured for so many years by former Farmer Todd, now with the Office of Human Rights, and UACC’s Farm Manager, Jennifer Minor.

Sunday’s celebration had the look and feel of a family reunion with long-time founder and supporter, Karen Waters-Wicks in attendance. She was accompanied by current and former UACC Board members, advisors, volunteers, donors, and well-wishers. As music blared and old friends caught up, children swarmed the face painting station, took turns swinging at a piñata,  and helped paint a mural that will adorn UACC’s remaining 6th Street garden next Spring. In the garden, a dedicated crew led by Farmer Todd and Shannon Gaffey, Garden Educator at Buford Middle School, dug up blueberry plants for attendees to replant in their home and school gardens.

CSG sends out a hearty thank you to each and every one of the individuals, businesses and foundations that support making youth garden connections.  We thrive with your partnerships. Thank you!  

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