May Sprout: Good Food Project Garden News

Sprout

Good Food Project Garden News

May 2013

Pest and Weed Management Workshop

If you've ever struggled with cucumber beetles, aphids, squash bugs or any other pest, disease, or weed, this workshop will cover basic identification and sustainable control strategies to help vegetable growers manage some of their biggest challenges.

Where: Food Bank of Central Louisiana
3223 Baldwin Ave.

When: May 4th from 9AM- 10AM

Cost: Bring a $5 donation to keep our workshops growing!

Register: Click here!

Eat Local Rapides

Did you miss the first meeting? No problem! Join in the conversation at the Eat Local Rapides follow up meeting on Tuesday, May 21st. Let's work toward building a vibrant local foods economy in Central Louisiana!

Cenla Garden Club

What better way to connect with your community than by talking dirt! An informal group of hobby gardeners have started up the Cenla Garden Club and are inviting gardeners of all types and levels to join. From beginners to experts, your questions, tips, advice and stories are all welcome. The next gathering will be held at Tamp & Grind on Sunday, May 5th at 5pm. Come share your knowledge and curiosities and help spread the joys of digging in the soil and watching something grow!

Workday Wednesday

Spring is here and there is LOTS to do in the garden! Join us each Wednesday from 8am-12pm to help us with our summer planting! All adults and children are invited to come out for a fun day of learning and giving back to the community. Let's grow together! Learn more.

If Wednesday's aren't good for you, call us to set up another volunteer day! 318-787-6893

Oakdale Middle School Becomes our 11th Garden Site!

We are happy to announce the GFP has officially adopted Oakdale Middle School's garden project! The Oakdale School Based Health Center staff members are eager to teach the students the importance of nutrition and healthy eating habits. The students have already harvested a variety of vegetables from their garden including broccoli and cauliflower, which was used to make roasted broccoli and cauliflower pizzas! "Our mental health provider, Sue Dugas, also uses the garden as a type of 'therapy' for some of her (student) patients," explains OSBHC Director Sharon Rush. "She says that students open up to her more when they are busy doing something." We are very excited about the enthusiasm this school has shown and the progress that has already been made to develop this site. We can't wait to grow with Oakdale Middle School!

Volunteer of the Month

Calvary Baptist Church

On Saturday, April 20th 157 volunteers from Calvary Baptist Church arrived at the Food Bank for a day of serving the community. As the Calvary members piled into the Food Bank, they were offered the choice to work in either the Warehouse or the Demonstration Garden. Thankfully, the weather was cooperating that day, which encouraged several people to get their hands dirty in the garden. The amount of work the volunteers accomplished in just 4 short hours exceeded all of our expectations. The day started with harvesting the last of the winter crops- collards, cabbage, kale, carrots, Brussels sprouts, green onions, and Swiss chard. Garden beds were cleaned out, weeds were pulled, seeds planted, transplants up-potted, and a nice compost pile was formed. A group of determined men even took the time to fix up our sickly lawn mower.

"It was a nice family day, and it felt good to be helpful," says Liz Moser, Calvary volunteer. "We have two exchange students from China, and this was their first experience in helping a community. It was nice to see their reaction to helping. China doesn't do anything to assist people in need. It isn't even on the average persons radar to do so," Liz explains.

That day Calvary members packed 35,892 pounds of food for backpacks, senior boxes, and emergency food boxes. More than 96 lbs of fresh produce was harvested from the Demonstration Garden to be distributed to the Food Bank clients. The contributions of these volunteers to achieve our goal of providing food to those in need is truly appreciated. We are proud to recognize Calvary Baptist as our Volunteers of the Month. Thank you so much for all of your hard work!

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