The Good Folks of the South Mountain/Laveen Village’s
By George Young
This is a series of articles profiling some of the residents who live and work in the South Mountain/Laveen Villages. In keeping with the original format of the Villager to only print the positive, we will attempt to acknowledge some of the great folks that have contributed so much to our lives and are hopefully role models for all of us. My good friend Harold submitted this. Thanks Harold.
Grandma’s Farm
Story and photos by Harold Baldwin
Some while ago I noticed a new sign along 19th Avenue just north of Dobbins Road. Instead of proclaiming one more new residential development or offering for sale one more plot of quickly disappearing farmland; this new sign said simply, “Grandma’s Farm.”
Curious, I watched as cotton furrows were graded and leveled and the old irrigation ditch was replaced with underground culverts. A long pile of discarded Christmas trees appeared – and this winter grew longer still. A fence went up and farm equipment began to appear: a green and yellow John Deere tractor was joined by an old-fashioned manure spreader; then plows, discs and planters lined the south fence.
Last week I noticed two people working, stooped over and setting small plants in long neat rows. I drove through the gate and asked to speak to “Grandma.” Bob Bergland straightened up, brushed the soil from his knees and introduced Theresa as his wife and the inspiration for the sign. Theresa finished tamping soil around one of 600 new tomato plants, laughed a little at the word “inspiration” then told me about “Grandma’s Farm.”
The Berglands raised their family in Laveen on an acre lot just west of 51st Avenue. Bob ran a successful machine-shop business while Theresa, who grew up amongst Indiana farmers, developed a green thumb and a keen interest in healthy eating. When their kids grew up and had kids of their own, Theresa and Bob purchased 15 acres along 19th Avenue in preparation for an active retirement.
As Bob irrigated Theresa and I walked the property and spoke of plans for a farmhouse with a shady porch all-around, and big enough for neighborhood get-togethers (a permit should be issued before summer). A big barn will rise behind the house and then a greenhouse to raise starter plants. To complete the homestead, Wyler Farms has donated an antique windmill that Bob will refurbish and erect as a reminder of our farming heritage.
I asked about how the long pile of Christmas trees fit in to their plans and learned that the trees are gradually being run through a wood chipper, blended with cow-manure donated by La Salvia Dairy and spread over fields. Theresa pointed out the advantages: the discarded trees are kept out of our local land-fills and the resulting composted mulch will rebuild soil depleted by a century of cotton and citrus farming which will eventually lead to a coveted USDA designation as an organic farm. Their dream is small scale, sustainable agriculture to grow healthy and wholesome fruit, nuts and vegetables for sale in an old-fashioned farm stand out front. The tomatoes Bob was busy irrigating should be available for sale by late spring and 220 fruit and nut trees are on order. In a few years neighbors will be able to choose between organically grown citrus, figs and nuts as well as delicious peaches, pears, apricots, and apples. We’ll all enjoy visiting a green shady oasis while Theresa and Bob will enjoy an active retirement.
Good things to come!
The Berglands tried out a small farm stand last spring, quickly selling out of tomatoes, squash and sweet corn. Their first customers still honk as they drive by or stop in to check on this season’s planting in anticipation of good things to come. And South Mountain Villager will check in with Bob and Theresa from time to time and let readers know when they are open for business.
God Bless The Berglands and God Bless America and God Bless the South Mountain/Laveen Village’s.
Valley View School adults ‘took to the streets’ February 9th in an active day of service to community and 
learning for staff. Teachers, paraprofessionals, administrators, custodians, and office staff joined together through the following projects:
FORE!!!
LynnAnn Wojciechowicz, teacher and storyteller, is one of the founding members of the South Mountain Community College Storytelling Institute and its current Director. 
Last spring, the students and teachers in the Roosevelt School District (RSD) were proud of their AIMS scores.
In “Success Built to Last,” the sequel to “Built to Last,” authors Jerry Porras, Stewart Emery and Mark Thompson embarked on an exhaustive research project to determine the earmarks of sustained individual success. Their first story is probably the most important.
r future.
