Intrinsic Motivation

1. Be open to grow and learn. One year ago today I had no idea this is where I would be in my work life. I had volunteered and worked for the early childhood department for our community action agency for more than 20 years. I agreed to be placed into the position to run the emergency food pantry. I was uncertain about this decision. I dreaded the hard work lifting heavy boxes of food and stocking more because of the limitations to arthritis. But I was happy to take on this new phase in my life.This is my journey to realization - good or bad. I want to document the process for others to learn from. It is so important in this day in age for families to grow their own fresh produce. We have lost touch with our food. Metaphorically our children want boxed macaroni & cheese instead of a fresh salad.

I was fortunate to grow up with a father who taught us the value of labor and growing our own food. To be sustainable. Long lost word that has resurfaced. We made our own bread, grew our own vegetables, picked our own apples. I would like to share this knowledge with those who need it most. Now I preface all that by stating I was a typical teenager and dreaded weeding in the garden. Still do to this day. I love the growing, nurturing, picking, transplanting, fertilizing and a myriad of other tasks but I will do anything to avoid weeding.

2. Make connections with local people. Start talking about what you would like to do. Brainstorm. Get support and approvals to go forward. We also had a few raised beds in front of the agency in which I happily took over to grow veggies for the pantry consumers and for staff wellness projects. When I started to post the vegetables growing in My Folia I met a grower who is quite serious about his vegetables. He stated he grew some for some local folks - tomato and pepper plants. When he told me this it sparked an amazing project proposal for the executive directors. They received the proposal with open arms and are very supportive. He is now going to grow over 1,500 plants for us for handing out by May 2011.

3. Identify your targets. Connect with local agencies who demonstrate needs. I decided to reach 100 households because we have approximately 100 consumers who frequent the pantry consistently. If I can in any way reduce the need for them in the summer with fresh healthy options it will free up grant dollars to reach more people who are at risk with food insecurities. It isn't going away anytime soon either. I feel desperate to reach them to make this connection with the earth and feel good about having some control in their lives. It feels pretty horrible to open your refrigerator and stare at empty space. Yes, I speak from experience.

To reach 100 households I needed to know who may want a garden.  I drafted a survey and handed out to people in the food pantry to complete. It quickly became apparent I was on the right path. I have a 92% return of consumers surveyed who want a garden. The questions I asked were basic. Do you want a garden. Yes or no. What do you currently have ... garden space, no garden space, need a container garden, connection with community garden, help with connecting to a community garden. I asked if they would be interested in volunteering. Most said no. I am trying hard not to let that bother me because people's needs are their own. Most have to work or their lives are as busy as mine. No judgments. Only encouragement. Learn from my mistake! One question I should have included is their address - we have it on a database but it would have saved us considerable time looking them up.

4. Make a plan. Identify local resources. Growers, experts, volunteers, donors and grants. Now that I have the survey's completed I am now in the process of using Google maps to look up their locations and pinning them with yellow quilting pins to a county road map. When this is completed I will start making phone calls to connect with the households to confirm details to the project and to really see where they are in needs with tools, resources and knowledge base.  I will then transfer the pins to another color - green for go.

I will then design the rest of the project based on this information. So when the pinning phase is completed I will post another update. 

I drafted a grant to submit to the United Way to address food insecurities and I am waiting to hear.
I secured a generous donation from White Mountain Seed Company in Missouri. 

Still to do.

1. Print seed labels.Fill seed packets for the direct sow seeds. 
2. Write a Victory Garden handbook with terms, instructions, trouble shooting and resources. Take into account low literacy when designing. Have editors and volunteers to comb through. 
3. Purchase supplies for the grower or secure any donated item. 
4. Draft a volunteer job description for Garden Mentors who will be assigned up to 10 families to mentor through. Find volunteers and provide orientation and training. 

I am sure I am missing at least a thousand things.

I also love to post pictures so as soon as some are available I will.