GUERNEVILLE —Guerneville School 8th grader Faith Oliver was
named Gardener of the Year on May 21 during a spring celebration
and cooking demonstration in the school garden.
Oliver “has been involved in the garden all throughout her
school years,” said Clark Wolf, the Guerneville food writer and
consultant who served as master of ceremonies.
Oliver is also the co-host of “Voices of Youth” on KGGV radio,
the Guerneville community station, where she recently interviewed
Wolf, author of the book “American Cheeses.”
Students, teachers, neighbors and friends gathered under perfect
sunny skies at the Saturday ceremony and lunch that is now an
annual Guerneville School event.
A special Volunteer Appreciation Award was presented to Stan
Buck, who lives adjacent to the garden that is on land that had
once been slated for a controversial condominium development.
Buck told the story of how repeated housing development attempts
were successfully opposed by the neighborhood, resulting in the
school getting the five-plus acres now devoted to GEO (Guerneville
Education Outdoors), a non-profit organization serving as an
umbrella program and fundraising mechanism for the garden.
The gathering also featured a cooking demonstration by Bruce
Frieseke, chef at Applewood Inn and Restaurant, Guerneville’s one
Michelin star restaurant.
While adults learned about fava beans and asparagus panzanella,
students got a special cooking class from Guerneville School
alumnus Kayla Roberts.
A highlight of the gathering was the dedication of the first
Luther Burbank school orchard, designed, according to Wolf, “to
help the kids learn about growing, history, and stealing
fruit.”
The orchard was planted on March 1 with the help of students
under the direction of Sebastopol’s Light Farm owner Nathan Boone
and funding support from the Dennis and Carol Ann Rockey Fund of
Marin County. Boone will continue to oversee care, harvest and
pruning as well as assist with teaching opportunities.
Sponsors of the garden celebration were River Reader, Harmony
Farm Supply, Creekside Inn, Lambert’s Guerneville 76, Lone Mountain
Studios, West Sonoma Inn & Spa, and Jewelry by Jaime Jean.
Gift sponsors were Bella Winery & Wine Caves, Trio
Restaurant, La Tapatia, Coffee Bazaar, Applewood Inn and
Restaurant, Johnson’s Beach, Pat’s, Still Bucking at Pat’s, Boon
Eat + Drink, River Inn Grill, Flavor’s Unlimited, Resorts in Bloom,
and Koala’s.
Teachers involved with the garden include Kathy Smith, Paula
Green, Kari Johnson, and Becky Vanden Heuvel. The Garden
Coordinator is Jamie Daniels.
Frank Robertson can be reached at [email protected].
