It's been a tough month. We have come so far trying to tie the pieces together.
The political environment has shifted from a feel good grass roots effort into insecurity. The President is proposing a major reduction in Community Service Block Grant funding this year - and a 50% cut next year from that. Our leaders have a lot of work to do to attempt to create common sense into the minds of the very ones who have proposed this nonsense. This will affect so many people - men, women and children who are living low income and create a further gap with the working poor.
Priorities have changed. Energy and resources are needed to tighten down existing structure and current more important vision is first and foremost. Situations such as this project are going to be placed on the less important list. I call it survival of our agency and working toward making it continue to be as viable as possible and understandably - for as long as it can before painful cuts are made.
We won't be able to work on this project as in depth as I would like to see it go. Real efforts to put real food on the plates of people at risk. A big effort of good meaning that has met up with bad timing.
I take it as a failure anyway. But I have become wiser for it.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Friday, February 4, 2011
Connect Connect Connect
The flow of bridging local community resources is really important. Local extension offices are key in supporting efforts in making meaningful efforts to support new gardeners. So far we have about 30 new gardeners who really have had no experience in learning to garden. The local Cooperative Extension programs will be offering beginning gardening workshops for these households.
Connect with university horticulture programs. Explore if they can assist in needs such as potting soil, greenhouse space, or supplies.We have connected with our local university program that will grow some starters for us. The final numbers will be discussed with their reality in being able to provide space for the plants.
These are both really crucial connections for this project to be supported in a meaningful way.
We have obtained a monetary donation for the nursery pots for transplants. If you were to do this less expensively research your growing options carefully. We chose to use a larger transplant pot (1 qt size) so the plants will be successful soon after transplanting. The recommendation to use Griffin Greenhouse Supplies was made - but the costs have risen considerably in just a few weeks. About 20%! Griffins Greenhouse Supply.
We have obtained a monetary donation for the nursery pots for transplants. If you were to do this less expensively research your growing options carefully. We chose to use a larger transplant pot (1 qt size) so the plants will be successful soon after transplanting. The recommendation to use Griffin Greenhouse Supplies was made - but the costs have risen considerably in just a few weeks. About 20%! Griffins Greenhouse Supply.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Politics
I had a posting early about how frustrated I was with US politics with regards to food safety. Well, the good news is that I learned how to gauge frustration into action and find out answers. They were totally unfounded. Rumors spread like wildfire on the internet and I should have known better. I researched the implications with the help of my folia friends at myfolia.com. If you haven't heard about this group I would go and poke around. Setting up an account will connect you with like minded growers.
This week I have tallied my seed stash and designed a label to go onto coin envelops.
I have an acquisition schedule from the gardener who is in charge of growing the plants for us.
This week I have tallied my seed stash and designed a label to go onto coin envelops.
I have an acquisition schedule from the gardener who is in charge of growing the plants for us.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Contact Storming
I have been making initial contacts with local greenhouses and interested parties in permaculture and the local university Horticulture program by email. This is the part I am uncomfortable with - asking for supplies. However, am so convinced this project will bloom into a positive event for the community and eventually be larger than our agency that I don't mind that prickly feeling.
I will send snail mail to follow up and continue to pursue inquiries and supply needs. I also started to contact local business managers to see if it would be possible for them to initiate fund raisers for this project. Anyone who is a non profit has to use caution when pursuing funds and check with any regulations or by laws to make sure you are following appropriate protocols.
CONTACT STORMING UPDATE 1/20/11
The businesses do not seem to be so willing to hear or donate to the project needs. I understand due to economic burdens.
One contact has bitten - The local University Horticulture Department. Follow up will be made shortly to come to an understanding. The department is willing to give us potting soil which is great news. They are also willing to provide some other services yet to be determined.
One business, a local pub really, is willing to contribute as well. I need to follow up with them and finalize their intent.
I will send snail mail to follow up and continue to pursue inquiries and supply needs. I also started to contact local business managers to see if it would be possible for them to initiate fund raisers for this project. Anyone who is a non profit has to use caution when pursuing funds and check with any regulations or by laws to make sure you are following appropriate protocols.
CONTACT STORMING UPDATE 1/20/11
The businesses do not seem to be so willing to hear or donate to the project needs. I understand due to economic burdens.
One contact has bitten - The local University Horticulture Department. Follow up will be made shortly to come to an understanding. The department is willing to give us potting soil which is great news. They are also willing to provide some other services yet to be determined.
One business, a local pub really, is willing to contribute as well. I need to follow up with them and finalize their intent.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Seed packets and greenhouse needs
We have started to set up the seed packets. Beats and Contender Bush Beans are started. Since we didn't get the grant we wanted I am printing labels onto regular paper, cutting and gluing onto seed packets which are coin envelopes. Not as fast but it works. Our fabulous volunteer Karey is working hard getting these set up. She will be volunteering a few days a week.
Envelopes being used
I also started to contact local greenhouses to grow lettuce and hot peppers. I need at least 4 greenhouses to offer their space/time and supplies. I can supply the seed. I fear I may be too late due to their planning for space and needs - but I have to try. I want households to have a salad shortly after planting for an encouraging instant gratification.
I meet with Family Partners tomorrow to open the project up to Head Start families in our community. They are near and dear to my heart as I have twenty-three years experience with the program.
I also am slightly surprised that the household sizes are larger than I anticipated. So far equaling about 25% of the total. These are families with 5+ individuals.
Our grower, Hotwired, sent me a list recently of his commitment. I am amazed in his generosity and spirit for this project and I have nothing but admiration for this man.
We met on MyFolia which is a social network for gardeners and the relationship of identified desire to help low income households blossomed. If you don't know where to start with your gardening projects I would encourage you to join. They are great community of gardeners who want to help. Hotwired, through his connection with his consulting has found some possible supporters of this project next year if the decision is to move forward with it.
The donor of most of our seeds is White Harvest Seed Company. There are a few local donations as well from home gardeners. All of them will have their names on the seed packets as a thank you.
My brain is starting to spin and all the details are starting to come together that need action in a positive way. I am now eating, sleeping, and breathing garden details. It is so far a wonderful feeling.
Envelopes being used
I also started to contact local greenhouses to grow lettuce and hot peppers. I need at least 4 greenhouses to offer their space/time and supplies. I can supply the seed. I fear I may be too late due to their planning for space and needs - but I have to try. I want households to have a salad shortly after planting for an encouraging instant gratification.
I meet with Family Partners tomorrow to open the project up to Head Start families in our community. They are near and dear to my heart as I have twenty-three years experience with the program.
I also am slightly surprised that the household sizes are larger than I anticipated. So far equaling about 25% of the total. These are families with 5+ individuals.
Our grower, Hotwired, sent me a list recently of his commitment. I am amazed in his generosity and spirit for this project and I have nothing but admiration for this man.
We met on MyFolia which is a social network for gardeners and the relationship of identified desire to help low income households blossomed. If you don't know where to start with your gardening projects I would encourage you to join. They are great community of gardeners who want to help. Hotwired, through his connection with his consulting has found some possible supporters of this project next year if the decision is to move forward with it.
The donor of most of our seeds is White Harvest Seed Company. There are a few local donations as well from home gardeners. All of them will have their names on the seed packets as a thank you.
My brain is starting to spin and all the details are starting to come together that need action in a positive way. I am now eating, sleeping, and breathing garden details. It is so far a wonderful feeling.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Exciting Beginnings updated 1/16/10
Click here to see the grower has started
The sweet pepper plant seeds are planted. I stated in his posting that I would do a head count of how many people this will be affecting - not households. Will post as soon as this is done. Update: Once fully enrolled I anticipate this project to be serving 300 children, women and men to learn how to grow their own vegetables and use them.
We did not receive the grant from United Way. I am not discouraged. These types of funds are hard pressed to reach as many people as they can - and this was a bit off the typical path from what I understand. This makes it more interesting, more satisfying to make it work with no budget. As soon as I have the wish list done, I will be posting so perhaps I can find some help with this.
I am recruiting volunteers for:
Good compost - not sure of volume at this point.
Peat Moss - 50 bales
Garden Forks -75
Garden String - 100 rolls
Garden Row Markers - 1000
5 Gallon Buckets - 50
Black Markers - 100
Watering Cans - 100
The sweet pepper plant seeds are planted. I stated in his posting that I would do a head count of how many people this will be affecting - not households. Will post as soon as this is done. Update: Once fully enrolled I anticipate this project to be serving 300 children, women and men to learn how to grow their own vegetables and use them.
We did not receive the grant from United Way. I am not discouraged. These types of funds are hard pressed to reach as many people as they can - and this was a bit off the typical path from what I understand. This makes it more interesting, more satisfying to make it work with no budget. As soon as I have the wish list done, I will be posting so perhaps I can find some help with this.
I am recruiting volunteers for:
- Writing pieces to the Victory Garden Handbook
- People and rototillers to help with new gardens
- Garden Mentors to partner with up to 10 families to support growing success.
- Making phone calls to connect with households
Good compost - not sure of volume at this point.
Peat Moss - 50 bales
Garden Forks -75
Garden String - 100 rolls
Garden Row Markers - 1000
5 Gallon Buckets - 50
Black Markers - 100
Watering Cans - 100
Potting Soil - 20- 2.5 cu/ft bags MIRACLE GROW MOISTURE CONTROL 64 quart sized bags.
800 - 4.25 " quart pots for tomato and pepper transplants
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Securing Garden Mentors
http://ccetompkins.org/garden/community-school-gardens/gardens-4-humanity
I have connected with the local Cooperative Extension. They are currently organizing a Gardening4Humanity training which sounds perfect. I will be meeting with a bright young man, Josh, to discuss my needs and also meeting with a woman, Jemela, and joining her group on Food Security.
In the mix of all this this week the Treasurer to the Food Distribution Network (FDN) came to see me to finalize the new brochure for publication. She wondered if I would be interested in becoming the group's Secretary. Now I am flattered, really. But my anxiety regarding that decision is really about time being taken away from my focus with the Victory Garden Project. The FDN is a good group and I don't want to let them down.
I have connected with the local Cooperative Extension. They are currently organizing a Gardening4Humanity training which sounds perfect. I will be meeting with a bright young man, Josh, to discuss my needs and also meeting with a woman, Jemela, and joining her group on Food Security.
In the mix of all this this week the Treasurer to the Food Distribution Network (FDN) came to see me to finalize the new brochure for publication. She wondered if I would be interested in becoming the group's Secretary. Now I am flattered, really. But my anxiety regarding that decision is really about time being taken away from my focus with the Victory Garden Project. The FDN is a good group and I don't want to let them down.
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