Vacaville Demonstration Food Forest Installation

Join us May 15 to help install a demonstration food forest garden based on permaculture principles in Vacaville!

This public, hands-on installation workshop series will create a demonstration food forest garden in Vacaville, providing an opportunity to learn about rainwater capture, water-efficient drip irrigation, and how to plant and mulch for a water-wise garden that builds healthy soil and yields food.

Day 1: Saturday, May 15-Earthworks

• Learn how to create swales, which are trenches that capture rainwater in the ground, divert roof water to those swales, sheet mulch to protect and build healthy soil, and plant trees. 
• Volunteer tasks: digging a swale, moving and spreading wood chips, and planting trees.

Day 2: Saturday, May 29-Planting & Drip Irrigation

• Learn what plants help your garden thrive by working together as an ecosystem and how to install drip irrigation
• .Volunteer tasks: planting the understory, installing drip irrigation and moving wood chips

* wear mask, bring gloves and water

* Free lunch provided courtesy of  The Rasta Mama’s Kitchen

*Bring your own lunch if you have special dietary needs 

PPE and Social Distancing Guidelines

• Staff and volunteers shall maintain at least a 6-foot distance from others, excluding other household members.
• Staff and volunteers shall wear a face-covering/mask that covers nose and mouth. 
• Volunteers that violate social distancing and the aforementioned safety protocols will lead to the volunteer being excused from the event. 

If you have any questions please contact nicole@sustainablesolano.org

Name of Future Demonstration Food Forest: The Shepherd’s Heart 

Future Food Forest Keepers Bio, as written by his daughter, Chantoll Williams of Rasta Mama’s Kitchen:

Winston Bryce was born and raised on a farm in Jamaica. Being raised on a farm, my father has a deep understanding of the value that the land can bring forth, not only to bless his family, but all the surrounding family in Jamaica. Often his mother would take from the land and cook amazing dishes to share with those who were in need. This love and dedication for the land was passed down to my father, and all the recipes were passed down to my sisters and I. My father currently lives in Vacaville on a double lot, he can fit 3 good size pools in his yard if he chose to. In fact all the neighboring houses have done so. My father has refused and has always wanted a small farm in his backyard and to have what the land has yielded be shared with the community. 

Now, you’re probably wondering why my father has not done this himself? My mother had an aneurysm in the back of her brain stem about 20 years ago; this left her completely paralyzed and she is now a quadriplegic. She cannot talk or take care of even basic bodily functions. My father’s love for her is so deep that he cares for her every day and has even found a way to communicate with her. My parents have been married for 44 years and they still act like newlyweds. My mother needs 24-hour care, my father has help from my sister and I but it’s not enough. His dream is to have a garden. We are so very excited and feel truly blessed to have the Sustainable Solano community help make this dream into a reality.

Day 1: Saturday May 15

Day 2: Saturday, May 29

A virtual, live cooking class featuring local, seasonal specialty crops from around Solano County.

Join special guest Chef Chantoll Williams, owner of Rasta Mama’s Kitchen in Vacaville! Chef Williams brings history, heart and soul to her delicious food as she draws on her family’s rich culinary and cultural traditions. When her father adopted a Vegan diet, Chef Williams didn’t want him deprived of traditional Jamaican flavors, so she got to work adapting recipes in creative ways. In this class she will introduce us to a Jamaican Pumpkin Curry Stew, perfect for those chilly winter nights! Learn more about key ingredients and spices in Jamaican cooking and how to source ingredients from small Solano County farms. An audience Q & A moderated by Sustainable Solano staff will follow the demonstration.