Penngrove Station by Lyndi Brown - April 2018
If this were a Nancy Drew novel, the title would be “The Case of the Missing Marker.” Some of us wondered whatever happened to the Petaluma Adobe bronze plaque on Old Redwood Hwy. near Adobe Rd. The state historic marker #18 described the history of
PGrove’s Time Capsule
Now is the time to bring your ephemera to JavAmore Café for the 50 year time capsule. “We want to capture what is happening right now, in 2017-2018 – nothing older than a year,” says Burr Wilson. As you select your item, keep your grandchildren in mind. Fifty years from now, your one-page letter to your descendants or future residents will tell them your thoughts about life in Sonoma County today and Penngrove in particular. Are you concerned about the SMART train, the fires, cannabis licensing and growing, Trump or clean water? Hmmm, or do you simply love living here? State your thoughts to your grandchildren and our descendants and say, “how’s it going now, have you carried on with it all?” Include a labeled photo of a grandchild, who may be surprised to see it unearthed in 50 years.
Cannabis Cultivator Alexa Wall
There couldn’t be more appealing spokespersons for cannabis cultivation than Alexa Wall and her husband Curtis. Enthusiastic and highly educated, Alexa holds a B.S. in Marine and Freshwater Biology from UT Austin, and a M.S. in Environmental Management from USF. Curtis has a business degree in Entrepreneurship and Innovation from USF. They also have attended numerous cannabis conferences both in and out of the state.
Their 15 acre Penngrove property is zoned Diverse Ag (DA). They are applying for a half acre cultivation, known as Luma California. At present, they are 6 months into waiting for a permit.
Alexa serves as the Sonoma County Growers Alliance board chair. Curtis has just returned from a five-day soil food web course taught by renowned soil microbiologist Dr. Elaine Ingham.
“Every grower has their method,” said Alexa. “Some use very simple plastic hoop covers, but we want an advanced greenhouse with a better controlled environment.”
The plan includes a 10,000 sq. ft. outdoor garden and a 10,000 sq. ft. greenhouse. When natural sun isn’t enough for plant health, an electric cover will pull over the greenhouse to prevent light pollution when LED supplemental lights are used. They are investing now in sustainable farming techniques such as drip irrigation, dehumidification with water recapture systems, solar array designs, rain catchment and more.
In 2014 they found a small indoor commercial space outside of Petaluma, and grew there until they purchased their property in 2017.
“We hope the outdoor permit comes soon in time to plant our garden this season,” said Alexa. The greenhouse project is a conditional use permit and still in process.
As of mid-March, permit applications to Sonoma County totaled just over 41 acres of land, she noted, with a strict cap of one acre total per operation. Residents will want to know “multi-acre grows are not even possible,” said Alexa.
Truckers Ball - May 5
This popular fundraiser is sponsored by Penngrove Social Firemen, and benefits the updating of the Penngrove Park and the Community Clubhouse. Cocktails start at 5:30 p.m., with dinner served at 7:00 p.m. Enjoy Tri-Tip, Chicken, Beans and Salad, “The Big Buckle Raffle” (donated by Reliance Towing) and Music with Charley Baker. Tickets are: $25.00. Call Julie Hanson 707-546-6362 or JavAmore 707-794-1516
I’d love to hear from you! Please send me your news, comments, events, etc. by the 7th of each month.
Alexa Wall with Lyndi Brown at Penngrove Social Firemen’s Corned Beef and Cabbage event, March 10.
