Calendar

Events on our event calendar fall into one of four general categories: gardening/farming, food preservation, sustainable living, or seed saving, and consist of things like classes, talks, plant sales, seed exchanges, fairs and festivals, movies, and special events.

May
20
Wed
Silicon Valley Clean Water – Wastewater Treatment Plant Tour @ Silicon Valley Clean Water
May 20 @ 10:00 am – 11:30 am
Silicon Valley Clean Water - Wastewater Treatment Plant Tour @ Silicon Valley Clean Water | Redwood City | California | United States

A tour of our local wastewater treatment plant – Silicon Valley Clean Water (SVCW) – located at 1400 Radio Road in Redwood Shores. Take the opportunity to visit the plant that is in the midst of a an over $700 million Capital Improvement Program to update aging infrastructure originally built back in 1982. The plant is a regional facility that serves Belmont, Redwood City, San Carlos and West Bay Sanitary District.

Tour features:

  • Secondary treatment and advanced filtration
  • Recycled water facility
  • Cogeneration of energy from methane gas
  • Biosolids production used for composting and farming
  • On-site use of recycled water

Please note that no children under the age of 11 are permitted on this tour.

May
23
Sat
Garden Work Day: Volunteer Morning at SVS Demonstration Garden @ First Presbyterian Church of Santa Clara
May 23 @ 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Garden Work Day: Volunteer Morning at SVS Demonstration Garden @ First Presbyterian Church of Santa Clara | Santa Clara | California | United States

Garden work day!

You are invited to join us every month for a morning spent working outside in the Silicon Valley Seeds Demonstration Garden, located at the First Presbyterian Church of Santa Clara. All ages and gardening abilities welcome. Tools and instruction provided.

Activities may include planting, weeding, building raised beds, composting, and other special projects.

Please wear garden-appropriate attire, such as close-toed shoes, and bring sun protection (hats, long sleeves, etc), snacks for yourself or to share, and work gloves if you have a pair you like.

The Silicon Valley Seeds Demonstration Garden is designed to provide a contextual demonstration of organic gardening being done within an urban setting. In addition to raising vegetable produce, the garden also acts as a provider of seed for our south bay seed libraries, serves as a means of increasing a sense of local community ownership and stewardship, fosters appreciation for the beauty that a garden space brings to a well traveled corridor within the city of Santa Clara, and brings people together from a wide variety of backgrounds and interests who wish to learn more about organic gardening. Demonstration gardens like ours showcase plants that grow well in our area and sustainable gardening techniques appropriate to Santa Clara County. The garden acts as a resource for learning opportunities offered to home gardeners on a wide range of subjects, including design, planting, garden maintenance, and seasonal growing cycles.

Hope to see you in the garden…

May
28
Thu
Silicon Valley Seeds Table at the Library @ West Valley Branch Library
May 28 @ 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Silicon Valley Seeds Table at the Library @ West Valley Branch Library | San Jose | California | United States

A monthly Silicon Valley Seeds information/help table presence at the West Valley Branch Library. Stop on over to chat a bit, learn what’s happening at the seed library, or get help with whatever challenges you’re running into at your garden sight.

Silicon Valley Seeds Table at the Library @ Santa Clara Central Park Library
May 28 @ 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Silicon Valley Seeds Table at the Library @ Santa Clara Central Park Library | Santa Clara | California | United States

A monthly Silicon Valley Seeds information/help table presence at the Central Park Branch Library. Stop on over to chat a bit, learn what’s happening at the seed library, or get help with whatever challenges you’re running into at your garden sight.

Online: Introduction to Seeds @ Online
May 28 @ 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Online: Introduction to Seeds @ Online

Human history and culture are intertwined with the plants we grow and the seeds we save. While this has always been the case, what was once considered common knowledge and foundational wisdom is slowly eroding away. This presentation focuses on the most fundamental portions of this knowledge: what is a seed, what does it take for a seed to germinate, the various forms of pollination and flowers, why people should save seed (and why they don’t), and the basic things a gardener needs to consider if they wish to steward seeds. A fun, information packed talk in which participants learn the basics of seed stewardship and sustainable gardening.

After attending this talk, participants should be able to:

1. Explain what it means to save and steward seeds, and why it’s important to do so.

2. Understand pollination mechanisms, botanical names, and how to preserve “true to type” seed.

3. Know what makes some seeds “easier” to save than others, and what the easy seeds are.

Speaker Rachel Kalauokalani is founder and president of Silicon Valley Seeds, an educational 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization with a mission to teach on the subjects of organic gardening, seed stewardship, and food preservation. With expertise gleaned from years spent on the farm and in the garden, Rachel has turned her focus to building a vibrant community of gardeners and establishing a sustainable seed library system for residents of the south bay.

Jun
13
Sat
San Mateo County Fair @ San Mateo Event Center
Jun 13 – Jun 21 all-day
San Mateo County Fair @ San Mateo Event Center | San Mateo | California | United States

The San Mateo County Fair has been bringing families and a vibrant community together for almost 100 years.

In its early years (1926 thru 1934), the fair went by the name ‘The Little Flower Show’. The name was apropos: the event was run by the Burlingame Garden and Flower Club and took place at various school facilities throughout San Mateo County. Over the years, the focus of the fair has shifted, as evidenced by the change in name — first to ‘San Mateo County Products & Floral Fiesta’ and later to its current ‘San Mateo County Fair’. Even so, the fair has always valued education and community, two key components that continue on into the 21st century as fair organizers strive to make learning fun and enjoyable for the entire family.

Take some time to consider our region’s rich agricultural heritage while visiting the San Mateo County Fair. County agricultural fairs have always had a strong educational component; in years past, they were strongly tied to agricultural programs being run within the university system, and provided a showcase for the many new farming discoveries that were rapidly coming online. While today’s agricultural fair retains a bit of the educational element, it is now more about exhibition, competition, and entertainment. Ribbons, plaques, and trophies are awarded in a wide range of categories, from livestock and poultry to jams and jellies, with handicrafts and baked goods thrown in for good measure. Attendees will find a strong showing made by such farming organizations as the Grange, 4-H, and Future Farmers of America.

Come on by to learn, remember, grow, and enjoy. Have fun at the county fair…

Hours:
Saturday 6/10: 10am-10pm
Sunday 6/11: 11am-10pm
Monday 6/12: 12pm-10pm
Tuesday 6/13: 11am-10pm
Wednesday 6/14: 12pm-10pm
Thursday 6/15: 12pm-10pm
Friday 6/16: 12pm-10pm
Saturday 6/17: 11am-10pm
Sunday 6/18: 11am-10pm

Cost:
Adults: $10
Children 6 to 12 years: $8
Children under 6: free.

Jun
17
Wed
Silicon Valley Clean Water – Wastewater Treatment Plant Tour @ Silicon Valley Clean Water
Jun 17 @ 10:00 am – 11:30 am
Silicon Valley Clean Water - Wastewater Treatment Plant Tour @ Silicon Valley Clean Water | Redwood City | California | United States

A tour of our local wastewater treatment plant – Silicon Valley Clean Water (SVCW) – located at 1400 Radio Road in Redwood Shores. Take the opportunity to visit the plant that is in the midst of a an over $700 million Capital Improvement Program to update aging infrastructure originally built back in 1982. The plant is a regional facility that serves Belmont, Redwood City, San Carlos and West Bay Sanitary District.

Tour features:

  • Secondary treatment and advanced filtration
  • Recycled water facility
  • Cogeneration of energy from methane gas
  • Biosolids production used for composting and farming
  • On-site use of recycled water

Please note that no children under the age of 11 are permitted on this tour.

Jun
19
Fri
Alameda County Fair @ Alameda County Fairground Pleasanton
Jun 19 – Jul 12 all-day
Alameda County Fair @ Alameda County Fairground Pleasanton | Pleasanton | California | United States

In terms of offering the greatest flexibility for popping in for a visit, the Alameda County Fair reigns king. It runs for a full three weeks during the summer, along side father’s day and the graduations.

The fair features a host of carnival rides, daily concerts, and a variety of magicians and entertainers of the roving variety (including the ever popular Tadpole the Clown). And to help find tummy yummies, the fair’s website offers an interactive “food finder” which allows folks to use their smartphone to zero in on their favorite edibles.

Take some time to consider our region’s rich agricultural heritage while visiting the Alameda County Fair. County agricultural fairs have always had a strong educational component; in years past, they were strongly tied to agricultural programs being run within the university system, and provided a showcase for the many new farming discoveries that were rapidly coming online. While today’s agricultural fair retains a bit of the educational element, it is now more about exhibition, competition, and entertainment. Ribbons, plaques, and trophies are awarded in a wide range of categories, from livestock and poultry to jams and jellies, with handicrafts and baked goods thrown in for good measure. Attendees will find a strong showing made by such farming organizations as the Grange, 4-H, and Future Farmers of America.

Come on by to learn, remember, grow, and enjoy. Have fun at the county fair…

Cost:
Adult $12
Children 6-12 $8
Children under 6 free
In advance ride tickets are $25 for unlimited single-day use (via wristband)

Jun
22
Mon
Little Sprouts Summer Garden Camp @ First Presbyterian Church of Santa Clara
Jun 22 @ 9:00 am – Jun 27 @ 3:00 pm
Little Sprouts Summer Garden Camp @ First Presbyterian Church of Santa Clara | Santa Clara | California | United States

Little Sprouts summer garden camp is a program designed for younger seed stewards 8 to 12 years of age. The week long program is designed to teach elementary school students about organic gardening, seed stewardship, plant science, and food preparation. On the final day (a Saturday), parents are invited to come earlier in the afternoon in order to enjoy a lunch prepared by the students, a meal that will feature a good deal of garden fresh produce.

We have a fun, exciting week planned, one in which student exploration will take place in the classroom, in the garden, and in the kitchen. Each day will be filled with a combination of science, culinary artistry, and plain old fun. Snacks and lunch will be provided each day.

Parents looking for a fun learning experience for their kids would be hard pressed to find a better option. The Little Sprouts summer garden camp is the work of Silicon Valley Seeds. To learn more, parents are invited to email events@siliconvalleyseeds.org. Space is limited, so please make plans early to join in the fun.

One final note: please respect the age requirements when registering. We sincerely appreciate your interest in having your children attend our garden camp, and we would love to have them when the time is right, but we do insist that our students be at least eight years of age by the first day of camp in order to participate. We adhere to this age restriction in order to ensure that the activities planned are developmentally appropriate for all attendees. Thank you for understanding, and for helping to keep our program at the highest possible level of quality.

Jun
25
Thu
Silicon Valley Seeds Table at the Library @ West Valley Branch Library
Jun 25 @ 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Silicon Valley Seeds Table at the Library @ West Valley Branch Library | San Jose | California | United States

A monthly Silicon Valley Seeds information/help table presence at the West Valley Branch Library. Stop on over to chat a bit, learn what’s happening at the seed library, or get help with whatever challenges you’re running into at your garden sight.