One of the passionate motivations for the Farm Education and Sustainability for Teens (FEAST) coordinators – Rusty Diggs, husband Christopher Evans, and Whitney Hartzell – is that, as Evans said, “Teenagers are a population that’s counted out right from the start. People have told us, ‘It sounds great, but you’ll never get teens interested in participating – especially not in the summertime.’

“They’re begging to be part of the process of finding solutions. They’re learning about the alternatives in school but never about how they can be part of the process. FEAST teaches practical solutions. It’s not a new education; it’s returning to what works.

“And it blows away our senior citizens that kids are interested in being re-introduced to the island’s agricultural heritage.”

The FEAST project is revived from a project Christopher started in 2001 with the support of The Funhouse. Back then, Christopher traveled to Oregon to learn more about sustainable farming, where he met Rusty Diggs at the Aprovecho Project (translated: “I make best use of”), an alternative education center in gardening, forestry and appropriate technologies.

In 2004, Rusty joined Evans on Orcas and the next year, they became the parents of twins Isabella and Mona.

With the time demands of caring for the twins, and Christopher’s work as a massage therapist, the couple haven’t been able to continue the project.

Whitney Hartzell came forward to coordinate the program this year. She and Owen Cheevers moved to Orcas three years ago and have been active in sustainability and energy conservation projects.

Formerly, Whitney was involved in the Outward Bound program in Mexico, and in teaching teenagers in programs similar to FEAST. She’s worked for the last 10 years leading kids in wilderness experiences and found they would “open up with their eyes shining” during the expeditions. “That is the most rewarding part,” she said.

Last winter, she considered what her summer work would involve, and stepped forward to coordinate the FEAST project in the old Senior Center compound between Prune Alley and North Beach Road.

Fourteen teenagers have applied to be part of the program this year. “There is such awarness that we need to work together,” Rusty said. In addition to the core group of teens, other students will attend individual sessions of the course. Students will plant the garden at the central Eastsound location and also at other farms on the island.

Their course of study will begin with soil science, seed propagation and harvesting, tours of farms, a three-day course in permaculture at the Bullock Brothers’ farm, and develop into bio-remediation practices for depleted soils and ecological cleanup such as oil spills, and natural building.

Christopher said, “In housing, food and energy, we’re at a crisis right now. We introduce teens to alternatives to a food-supply and building system that is not working well now.”

Through the FEAST program, the students will have a vocational building block to continue their education from, as well as a basis for continuing work on the island.

The coordinators expect FEAST to be “a real leader in providing answers for our society, to be part of a broader movement on Orcas Island to preserve our resources and to build the local economy.”

The team cites the collaboration involved among 50 islanders who “are meeting an urgent need to teach,” including the Bullocks, Ronda Barbieri of La Campesina project, and builders Kaj Enderlein and Michael Hayworth.

Funded in part by an Orcas Island Community Foundation grant, and private donations, the project has brought in about half of the budget needed to conduct the 180-hour, three times weekly program.

The program will also offer apprenticeships, an additional 30 hours of training in specific areas such as farming, blacksmithing, natural building and permaculture landscaping.

In addition, during the summer four to five classes will be offered to the general public through Orcas Island Recreation Program.

The Funhouse is also collaborating to provide the FEAST program.

Donations to support FEAST can be made through Orcas Rec, at Orcas Island Recreation Program, PO Box 1644, Eastsound, WA 98245, 360-376-5339, and www.orcasrec.org.