It was a glorious day in the food forest garden of Permaculture Marin member Molly Myerson! The sun was warm and bright and the trees stood heavy with fruit. In the morning we gathered to remind ourselves of the purpose of this day, to take action and bring global awareness to climate change! Along with 188 other countries and 7,000 work parties like this one, we were making a stand for sustainable living. With that in mind we gathered to process and preserve the fruits of the harvest season for enjoyment throughout the colder months.Many apples and pears littered the ground in various states of edibility. Our first task was to clean up around the trees and sort the good fruit from the bad. Once the baskets of ripe fruit started piling up we set out to process them in many delicious and creative ways. Many apples and pears were peeled and cut, cooked and mashed for a delicious applesauce. Other fruit was cut thin under the shade of grape arbor and laid out carefully on sheets to dehydrate. In the house the air hummed with the sound of dehydrators warming and drying the fresh fruit into leathery snacks for later.

A powerful juicer helped us press apples into a foamy green fresh apple cider and the kitchen bustled with a massive apple pie operation! On the recommendation of a participant one member bottled a jar of apple pickles in apple cider vinegar (I will let you know how they taste)! Our potluck lunch was as usual a beautiful spread of homemade delicacies and nourishing dishes. After lunch the adults returned to the task of fruit preservation while the children ran around the yard, laughing and calling like a wild pack of animals.

After a full day with the fruit, we all met at the town community center to share a meal with the rest of the work parties around town. Pictures from the day were projected on the wall and each group got to share the triumph of their work party action! Music, food and dancing rounded out a very festive event! Thanks to everyone who made this day special!!!