Farmers and Gatherers Onsite Task List

Tasks:

• If doing basket project, soak the materials provided by your ELP Instructor 
• Farming / Gardening work – tools are in the garden, prepare for planting by weeding, digging and loosening the soil, add compost and fertilizer brought from home, plant plants, water existing plantings in the garden (you can use a yoke from the kitchen), add plant matter to compost. Make sure water tap is off
• Harvest vegetables that are ready and take to the cooks. Know your edibles! Only harvest plants from the garden you know to be safe with 100% certainty!
• (Optional) Mark the garden plot with your school name
• If making baskets, find your ELP Instructor for instructions. When done, clean up, empty tub and leave upside down against the Officers’ Barracks to dry. Add your weaving scraps neatly to the wood pile as kindling for the next class, and return gear, as needed.
• If doing acorn project, meet with your ELP Instructor to receive project gear. Coordinate as needed with the Cooks
• If doing species ID hike, get laminated guide and instructions from your ELP Instructor
• (Optional) Weather & tides permitting, carefully harvest small amounts of seaweed from Fort Ross Cove. Teachers should check seaweed regulations before coming to Metini / Fort Ross. Check in with your ELP Instructor and let them know you’ll be gathering seaweed before going to the cove!
• Use your Nature Journal to make a record of the plants you successfully identify and their location — Reef hike, inside Fort, outside Fort, time of year, etc. Share with your classmates what you recognize and what you know about the plant. What is it used for? Is it poisonous? You may also do leaf printing with gathered non-toxic fallen leaves at Metini / Fort Ross
• (Optional) Share any Songs and Stories you’ve created to honor your environment (in classroom prep)
• Take out compost after dinner and before your class leaves. Thoroughly clean and dry compost tub and return to the ELP closet
• Move personal sleeping gear into the Chapel back vestibule – only at the scheduled time!
• Know your Night Watch and morning clean up duties

Rules and Responsibilities:

• Follow the adults’ instructions at all times
• Obey all safety rules
• Clean up garden area, tools and all project work. Put tools and supplies away

Night watch:

• Check schedule. Wake up Hunters in the eight-sided Blockhouse, or as specified by your Teacher.

Morning Responsibilities:

• Pack personal gear and bring to Fort gates, sweep and thoroughly clear out your sleeping quarters
• For groups doing the Acorn Project — finish preparing your acorn meal so it can be cooked for Breakfast
• Take out compost before class departure (after final meal). Wash tub with soap and water, and return dry to closet
• If your group is finished but the clean up isn’t finished find out how you can help
• Help make sure all Fort gear is clean and DRY. Help carry all dried Fort gear to ELP closet in the Officers’ Barracks, and put in right place
• Remove litter, make sure wax is off tables and floors. Wash down and dry tablecloths. Ask your ELP Instructor whether the tablecloths should be folded and fold as needed
• Fort Litter Pick Up – All groups line up shoulder to shoulder and walk the inside of the fort for a full Fort cleanup