In the News: San Pasqual Academy's organic garden program receives grant and Celebrate the Craft 2007 happening next weekend

Academy gets $300,000 grant to expand program: The San Pasqual Academy in Escondido, a high school for foster teens, recently received $300,000 in federal grants for their organic gardening program. They plan on putting it toward expanding their processing plant, educating local farmers about innovative organic farming techniques, and furthering the program's organic research. They also have plans to start an animal program with chickens, turkeys and more pigs. Freshman Amanda Schalk, 14, had little interest in agriculture when she started at San Pasqual but now says “You love to see your own things grow. You're proud you did it and put your hard work in it and succeeded.”

Celebrate the Craft 2007: The oh-so-decadent Celebrate the Craft is back for the fifth year at the Lodge at Torrey Pines on September 20-23. If you can afford the hefty ticket price (unfortunately, it's a tad steep for these recent college grads), you'll be able to enjoy a weekend of some of the best that San Diego has to offer as far as local chefs, regional producers, and vinters. Forgive me while I jealously look on.