Courtesy of Vermont Community Garden Network
 If you’re reading this newsletter, I probably don’t have to convince you of the value of community and school gardens. You know that kids and adults all over the state are growing fresh food and connecting with each other in these special places. What you may not know is that learning in the garden at an early age also can influence food preferences and sow the seeds for lifetime of healthy habits. The safe and nurturing environment of a garden inspires exploration and experimentation. That’s what I love about this photo of a child tasting kale chips at Little Lambs Early Learning Center in Rutland – it reminds me of the importance of curiosity and the joy that can come from trying or learning something new!
Little Lambs is one of 13 Gardens For Learning sites around the state. This program has benefited thousands of children over the past 23 years, first with Food Works, and since 2014 as part of the Vermont Community Garden Network. This year’s programming was made possible by grants from City Market and long-time supporter the O.P. & W. E. Edwards Foundation. Unfortunately, only a portion of this funding will be available next year and we need your help to ensure that the Gardens For Learning program can continue to thrive in 2018. Fall is a key fundraising season for VCGN and we will be sending out appeal letters in the coming weeks. Your online donation helps us save postage costs and reducesyour mail. Thank you for helping grow CURIOSITY and JOY in gardeners of all ages!
Please read on for news about VCGN’s upcoming workshops on season extension and community composting, as well as fun fall harvest events, and new opportunities for school gardens.
~ Jess Hyman, Executive Director
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Events
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Come view and buy beautiful food and garden photos and portraits from VCGN’s Community Teaching Garden byDan Daniel and Cristina Clarimon-Alinder, alongside joyful harvest-themed block prints by Chris Jacobson. Prices range from $15-$90 and all proceeds support VCGN’s educational programs.
The Pop-Up Art Sale is part of the Vermont Green Offices open house. Join us from 4-7 pm to enjoy yummy food and drink, and learn more about VCGN and the vibrant community of businesses in our building. Festivities include snacks and refreshments, Solar Internet Of Things (IOT) demonstration by Infiswift, release of the Act 250 Scorecard web application from Cambrian Watch, and lively conversation with other building tenants, which include Richard Gliesh Translator, Woodbury Strings, and DC Energy Innovations. FREE and everyone welcome! Join the Facebook event page and invite your friends!
 GARDEN HARVEST PARTY – 3-6pm Oct. 1
Ethan Allen Homestead, Burlington
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 elebrate the harvest season with fellow gardeners and friends 3-6pm Sunday, Oct. 1, at Winooski Valley Park District’s Ethan Allen Homestead in Burlington. There will be delicious food, kids’ activities, bike smoothies, tours (4pm Ethan Allen House, 4:30pm Ethan Allen Heritage Garden), andmusic by Woodbury Strings and their youth students. Bring a potluck dish to share. Everyone welcome!Presented by the Vermont Community Garden Network, Burlington Parks, Recreation & Waterfront/Burlington Area Community Gardens, Winooski Valley Park District, Janet S. Munt Family Room, AALV/New Farms for New Americans, Ethan Allen Homestead Museum, and City Market. Join the Facebook event page and invite your friends! |
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EXTENDING THE SEASON – Oct. 11
Fall Grow It Webinar & Viewing Parties
Join VCGN, Charlie Nardozzi and Vermont garden leaders fromHardwick Community Gardenand Change the World Kids in Woodstock for a webinar on season extension techniques and how to manage them in a community and school garden setting. Enjoy the webinar on your own or gather with others at a designated Webinar Viewing Party. The webinar is 5-6pm Oct. 11. For online registration, more information, and a list of viewing parties go to: http://vcgn.org/what-we-do/growit/.
Don’t see an event in your area? Host a Webinar Viewing Party!
Click here for the simple online hosting form. Questions? Contact Libby: libby@vcgn.org or (802) 861-4769. COMMUNITY FOOD SCRAP COMPOSTING TRAINING – Oct. 14
Join fellow community-based food scrap composters Saturday, Oct. 14, 9am-3pm at the Central Vermont Sold Waste Management District facility, 540 North Main St. in Barre.
The training is designed for small-scale composters at community gardens and other community-based locations. Participants will gain the knowledge to safely collect and manage food scraps, accumulate and store carbon sources for the compost system, recruit and train volunteers, troubleshoot, and more. This 6-hour training costs $35. Space is limited –register online today! For more information contact Natasha Duarte or Athena Lee Bradley.
This workshop is part of the Community Composting Pilot Project sponsored by the Vermont Community Garden Network, Composting Association of Vermont, and Northeast Recycling Council with funding from the High Meadows Fund, Grassroots Fund, a U.S. Department of Agriculture grant, and participating Solid Waste Management Entities. READ MORE HERE!
SCHOOL GARDEN RESOURCES Are you part of the local Farm to School movement or looking to learn more? Gather in your region of Vermont to build local connections with peers and Farm to School practitioners, access resources, and find support for your efforts. Celebrate successes and find energy and solutions to strengthen the work in your area. All gatherings are 4-7pm, free, and refreshments are provided. Click here to register.
SCHOOL GARDEN GRANT: Mark your calendar! The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets expects to release the Request for Applications for the 2018 Vermont Farm to School Grant Program, made possible through the Rozo McLaughlin Farm to School Act, on Oct. 2. New this year: The state grants are now open to childcare providers. Keep your eye on The Vermont Agency of Ag’s Farm to School Program website for the RFA, and contact Ali Zipparo with any questions.
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Order your “TASTE OF COMMUNITY”
 “A TASTE OF COMMUNITY” contains stories from a diverse group of people who have found joy in being part of community gardens. The book includes a few of their favorite recipes and blank pages so you can add your own. Meet gardeners from Beacon Apartments, St. John’s Hall, Community Teaching Garden, Family Room Garden, North Avenue Coop, and Canal Street Veterans Housing. We are grateful to all the gardeners who shared their stories and recipes, and to our generous sponsors: Kiss The Cook, Lucky Next Door, SAP! Maple,HANDS, and PawPrint & Mail. The book is $15 and all proceeds benefit VCGN’s garden education programs. ORDER HERE!
WE HAVE BURLAP!
Back by popular demand and thanks to the fine folks at Keurig Green Mountain, we have a new batch of burlap coffee sacks. The 24″x36″ bags are great for Fall garden projects like tidying up your garden rows and sheet mulching in preparation for new garden space. Bags are only $20 per bundle of 20 and you can order online and pick up at the VCGN Office in Burlington.ORDER HERE!
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We Need Your Support!
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The Vermont Community Garden Network is growing a healthier Vermont by helping people of all ages access the space and resources to grow their own food and connect with each other. We need your help now more than ever – please make a donation today!
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Since 2001, the Vermont Community Garden Network has worked with hundreds of community and school groups to start, sustain, and grow gardens, building strong local food systems and vibrant educational sites.
Contact us – we’d love to hear from you! Jess Hyman, Executive Director Libby Weiland, Statewide Network Coordinator
Trish Laraja, Business Manager
Jennifer Fuller, Office Administrator Nell Carpenter, Garden Education Intern |
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Copyleft 2017. Please share.
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