Spread Some V-Day Farm Love

Since this weekend is Valentine's Day and since LA Farm Girl has never been one who believes in celebrating an artificially created day to celebrate love, I have been on the hunt for alternative ways to spend the day all centering around my one true love, our urban farms and gardens.

And, fortunately I have found some and thought I'd share them with you.

First on my list, "Love Pick" a great event organized by that awesome group Food Forward, http://www.foodforward.org/ those wonderful folks who go on organized fruit picks and collect it for those in need. As they say, "Calling all who are in love or looking for love (singles, couples and lovebirds welcome)--come find love in the orange grove."

Here's the details:
Date: Sunday, February 14
Where: Franklin Canyon Orange Grove (off Coldwater Canyon)
Time: 10:30 a.m. to 12: 30 p.m.
Spots Available: 40
To Reserve a spot, RSVP to Carl@foodforward.org

Number two on my list and something completely different is a look back at the history of farms and farming here in So Cal. through a visit to Rancho Santa Anita known today as the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden in Arcadia http://www.arboretum.org/.

On V.D., you can take the Curator's Tour of the Historic section of the garden and learn all about the history of Rancho Santa Anita, from when it was a citrus growing ranch, a cattle ranch and hear how it became the world class botanic garden it is now.

Date: Sunday, February 14
Time: 10:30 a.m. to Noon

While there, you can also check out the exhibit on display also related to the history of the garden when it was a ranch. Time & Land: Artifacts from the Arboretum's Collection. See art, tools, archaeological artifacts, documents, photographs and more that tell the story of the Arboretum and Rancho Santa Anita.

Exhibit Dates: Now through April 2

Times: 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Tuesday-Friday; 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday; 1-5 p.m. Sunday

Free with garden admission of $8

And, if you do go to the Arboretum on Sunday, you can also check out the Mushroom Fair, http://www.lamushrooms.org/fair-2010.html.