Borrego Sun - Since 1949

Someday soon, finding oneself just west of the Borrego Art Institute (BAI) and in need to know the time, check out a human sundial surrounded by an herb garden. Once there, and having a serious case of the munchies, check out the pizza garden and select the herbs and toppings on the pizza from the ArtFarm restaurant. Then find a seat under a Palo Verde shade tree and watch the fish in the tilapia pond.

These and many other potential features are part of the proposed BAI ArtFarm, now in the preliminary design phase (see photo). Located on a one-acre site just west of BAI, ingenious ideas are being investigated - vegetable and herb gardens to supply the restaurant, irrigation and Solar options, planter beds for rent by the public, areas for composting, children's plots, an outdoor classroom in the large central shade area, and perhaps even an apiary. That's bees for pollination, people, not chimps!

To start the project, the ArtFarm needs a fenced enclosure, and President Jim Wermers with the ArtFarm organizers are gearing up to raise funds and secure materials and labor for the effort.

Borregans with skills in the general area of farming and landscaping (or school kids needing to fulfill community service requirements) are sorely needed, so if interesting in becoming involved, show up at the next meeting at the BAI on Saturday, May 9 at 8:30 a.m.

This reporter will be keeping everyone up to date on progress through the summer.