The FEAST program, the Farm Education And Sustainability for Teens, is kicking off its summer 2008 program with a planting ceremony in the public garden area between Prune Alley and North Beach Road in Eastsound on Saturday, May 24 at 1 p.m. Planting of vegetable starts, composting and fence mending will occur. The public is invited.

FEAST will focus on issues of sustainability, practical skills and positive solutions. Students will learn to grow, prepare, and preserve their own food, learn about natural building practices and build a structure for community use. They will learn how to clean up toxins in the environment, such as oil spills and about alternative energy systems, woodcarving, blacksmithing, organic gardening, bee keeping, permaculture and local economics.

Students will facilitate classes for younger children at Salmonberry Elementary School and the Eastsound Farmers’ Market. They will receive high school credit, supervised by Kari Schuh, career tech counselor at the Orcas High School, and each student will complete a 30-hour apprenticeship.

Public FEAST classes are listed in the Orcas Island Recreation Summer Guide on page 10. For more information write to: feast@rockisland.com