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Ypsi Urban Farmers' Breakfast |
There was a buzz in the air and the oatmeal was of usual perfect consistency at Beezy's this past Monday morning as Growing Hope threw the first Ypsi Urban Farmer Breakfast. Over 20 people participated in an open discussion regarding Ypsilanti urban agriculture. Five year visions for Ypsilanti where shared amongst the group .
Ideas included:
A healthier, more cooperative Ypsilanti community
A community commercial kitchen
Decentralization of farms
Centralization of communal greenhouses and root cellars
Bartering networks
Urban livestock
Year-round vegetable production and season extension
Increased use of perennial food crops such as fruits and nuts
More agricultural entrepreneurs.
We'll meet again in February, so stay tuned!
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Upcoming Community Events |
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Coalition of Black Farmers Annual Conference
January 29th and 30th, 8:30am-5:00pm
Israel Gardens Activity Center
Learn about Grant-writing, Entrepreneurship,
Personal Finance, Farmers' Markets and more!
Cost: $10
For more information or to register, call (313) 467-1066
January 29th, 8:30am-3:00pm
Meet, learn about, and join together with the many groups
and individuals in this community working on re-localizing
our food system! The conference is already full, but a
waiting list is available...
Cost: $12 Registration, $12 Lunch
Two-day Event: January 31st-February 1st
challenges, and opportunities, of Peak Oil and Climate
Change.
Cost: $200-$250
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Greenhouse at Growing Hope Center Alive and Well
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The greenhouse is surrounded by snow. Raman, Sarah and Dan recently finished covering the vegetables growing in the |
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 Growing Hope greenhouse with plastic. Yes, we have plants alive and well in the greenhouse right now! This extra covering provides a few more degrees of warmth for the plants.The vegetables aren't growing much now, but once the sun is higher in the sky in February, we'll begin "solar spring" and the plant's rate of growth will increase!
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Play Games - Grow Hope! |
Coops All in 4 Charity will be hosting poker nights to raise money for Growing Hope. Games are open Thursday through Sunday from 5pm to 2am on February 5-8th and March 12-15th.
Come to one night or all. Bring your friends, and tell everyone you know!
If you are interested in volunteering to help us staff the poker nights, please contact our volunteer coordinator, Karen Spangler, at karen@growinghope.net |
Your First Garden from A-Z
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Want to try growing some of your own food, but never tried before? Please join our friend and Rec Park Community Garden steward Lisa Bashert for a basic class on starting your first vegetable garden. She'll cover what to plant, where to put your garden, how to order seeds, where to find compost locally, how to lay out a raised bed, how to buy plants, and more!
This is a one-time class that meets February 3rd from 7-9PM at the Ypsilanti Senior Center, 1015 North Congress. Cost is $20 per person; Free for seniors. Pay $40 and leave the class with your first raised bed, built by Growing Hope! This class is not being run by GH, but we are highly encouraging all to attend-- Lisa is one of the gems of our Ypsi garden & sustainability community!
For more information, contact Lisa Bashert at 734-483-6420, or e-mail wombbat@umich.edu
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African American Read-in
"Gardeners and Farmers Read" |
Growing Hope invites you to join us in ushering in Black History Month with African American literacy at the 5th Annual Ypsilanti Community African American Read-In The event will feature both local African American writers as well as local and community gardeners and farmers reading works written by African Americans. This family event welcomes youngsters of all ages in sharing African American literature through storytelling, song, dramatization, and books.
Monday, February 2, 2009, 6:30pm -8:30pm
Ypsilanti District Library
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Community and School Garden Institute is Underway! |
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In gratitude & hope--
The Growing Hope Team
Amanda, Karen, Meg, Dan, Sarah, Ashley, Raman, Kelly, Roy, Terry & the GH Board of Directors
Growing Hope is a 501c3 nonprofit in Washtenaw County dedicated to helping people improve their lives & communities through gardening. We hope you'll join our efforts.
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