What do Tomatoes, Llama Poop and the Buck Institute Have in Common?

Saturday, April 14, is the day you will be able to come by parking lot in the morning to buy a fabulous tomato seedling plant for your garden, pick up a bag of our llama beans for fertilizer, and then be entertained for free all afternoon right here in Novato.

My volunteer activities have all collided on the same day!

My Soroptimist International club of Novato will have gathered and packaged llama beans for sale as the ultimate organic fertilizer April 14 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.! Llama beans are the natural output of llamas — in short, llama poop. The "beans" are one of the most desirable organic fertilizers available. They are organic, can be spread right on the garden without composting, have a compact pellet size (similar to deer droppings), are virtually odor free (can be used indoors), are almost completely devoid of weed seeds, and are not “hot” (a nitrogen analysis of about 1.7 percent).  Check out more details here.

Actually, the seventh annual Heirloom and Hybrid Tomato Market is the main focus in the Pini parking lot from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. that same day. All of the tomato activity is provided by the Marin Master Gardeners (a group that I am not involved with, but I truly admire their work!)  The group will be selling its featured seedlings grown by experts.

Now that provides you with the connection between tomatoes and llama “beans,” but what about the ?

Well, that happens to be a committee I am also involved in that has helped plan the Community Open House to show off the new Regenerative Medicine Research Center. After your morning at the Pini parking lot, you can then spend the afternoon of April 14, from 1 to 4 p.m., being entertained for free at the Buck.  If you have never had a chance to see the Buck Institute close up, I highly encourage you to do so. It is a sparkling gem in our community and one that you will be proud to associate yourself with.

On that Saturday at the Buck, there will be a ribbon-cutting ceremony, hands-on science exhibits, activities for kids of all ages, videos, self-guided tours and opportunities to talk to scientists. Bring the family and enjoy the afternoon at the Buck while also enjoying beautiful views of Mount Burdell and almost all of Novato.

To visit the Buck, note that free offsite parking and shuttle service will be provided at the .

So, Saturday, April 14, is definitely a big day on my calendar, when all of this comes together. (Have I gotten myself over-committed? I guess that happens when you start a life of volunteering. Any advice, folks?) Well, I hope to see you all take advantage of these wonderful Novato happenings!