Yuma, AZ Field to Feast Feb 7, 2013

I took an unexpected detour in my plans to go to Phoenix, AZ via I-8. Finding Yuma half way there, I went on the "Feast of Fields" tour. A full tour bus of us spent the morning in the fields to learn about how we get fresh green vegetables on our table in winter. When the Colorado River was dammed, it left a large river bed in this area that is now cultivated and each farm has it's own 'water rights' for irrigation.

The Colorado River at Yuma, AZ

Irrigation Ditch

Like the workers, we had to wash
our hands.

The tour helped
us see how much
concern there is
about keeping
our food safe
and clean.

We donned hairnets and latex gloves.

The produce we harvested will be used to feed the next "Field to Feast" tour.

My task was to cut a bunch of
Spinach and Mustard Greens

Rows were marked to help
us find our produce.

This field was planted by the University
of Arizona (Yuma Campus) students for us.

A whole field of celery being
harvested smelled so good!

Head lettuce

Even the Port-O-Lets
had sinks and sanitizers!

We were taken to the University of Arizona (Yuma) campus and a citrus orchard planted for this tour. We were allowed to pick 5 different fruits.

Lemon Tree

Humm, tangelos?  

My five fruits. Sweet and juicy!

This caught my eye, Solar Panels
over the parking lot!
Now THAT makes good sense
in a place with no shade trees!

We were treated to a full lunch with produce
harvested at the last "Field to Feast" tour
and prepared by the students.
It was really good and filling.