October 12, 2010, Sacramento CA - Life Skills Training and Educational

Hunting for the perfect pumpkin.

Programs Inc (LifeSTEPS) staff along with 45 children, parents and senior clients traveled by bus from Sacramento and Woodland to Esparto where they spent the afternoon exploring Durst Organic Growers, an organic farm.  The day was filled with learning about the advantages to organic farming and experiencing new things.  Residents traveled through the fields on foot or by tractor to watch farm workers plant a new asparagus crop, while tasting fresh picked cherry tomatoes, and delighting in selecting the perfect pumpkin.  They enjoyed visiting with each other and the special four legged and feathered guests.

"There is a huge difference in the way organic produce, fresh off the farm tastes and you can't beat that" explained Jim Durst while

Seniors enjoying a ride around the farm on the tractor.

sharing about the process for planting and the specialization of each employee's role on the farm. "The afternoon was a huge success. Our clients were able to experience the outdoors in a fresh way, escaping the confines of the city, and basking in the sunshine." related Beth Southorn, LifeSTEPS Executive Director.  "When I first met Jim and Deborah Durst, I was so taken with touring the fields and impressed with the depth of their knowledge that I couldn't wait to share it with our clients."

The Durst Organic Growers Field Trip is just one example of the community building activities made possible through partnerships facilitated by LifeSTEPS. LifeSTEPS is a nonprofit, charitable

Durst Farm employee Debbie Perdue leading a seed planting activity.

organization that provides professional social and supportive services to 44,000 individuals living in 162 affordable housing properties throughout California.  As a provider of wrap around services, LifeSTEPS offers confidential case management, youth programs, educational opportunities and community building activities, such as this, designed to help all low income residents successfully maintain and enjoy housing.