Word on the Street
July 2015
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WELCOME!

This July, Soil Generation & the Garden Justice Legal Initiative have been educating themselves and the community about policy, vacant land, racial equality and participating in a culture shift toward a more just society.

Vacant Land 215 -hosted by Nicetown CDC

BLOG NEWS

Philadelphia is addressing blight and crime by revitalizing stressed communities with community gardens and green space. I have been learning the process of acquiring vacant land and hope to assist in building community with the knowledge I have acquired from The Public Interest Law Center, PHS, Soil Generation and other gardening groups. Pictured is a community garden in Strawberry Mansion on my families block, if you look in the background you can see vacant lots, one in which my family has been squatting on for about 15 years and another growing grass as high as our crops. Read on...

CODE WORDS

 I am writing a follow-up to my June blog post, "Bringing Race, Racism, and Critical Compassion into Focus at Food Justice Events", with more concrete steps individuals can take to disrupt and resist the systemic racism perpetuated at these kinds of events. For anyone who doesn't know where to start (or feels stuck) in thinking or talking about race and racism at events like Food for Thought at the Schuylkill Center, I've made a list of some "code words" to watch out for. To me, these words are used as replacements for more obviously raced words (i.e. when people say "minorities" instead of "people of Color") when people are uncomfortable or don't know how to talk about race. When these words come up, a simple question like, "what do you mean by "[insert code word]"? can help reveal that the conversation does involve race, even if it wasn't explicitly mentioned, and encourage folks to continue thinking after the conversation is over.
 

Soil Generation

 



Dismantling Unconscious Racial Biases: Strengthening Cultural Responsiveness in Community Gardening

 

 

 

 

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Community Land Access Train-the-Trainer

Next training in September! For information email kbaxter@pilcop.org
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Hoodstock 2015

 

Urban Ag Policy Poll 

 

If you would like to make your voice heard to your councilperson about community agriculture in Philadelphia...take our survey!

Soil Generation Policy Poll
 


 


 

 

 

 

EVENTS

UNI's youth empowerment skill share conference
 


 

Make your voice heard! On Friday, July 31st, 2015, the Agatston Urban Nutrition Initiative will host its second annual Declare! Youth Skill Share. This youth-led conference will feature organizations from all over Philadelphia sharing and learning from one another.  This year's theme is: 
What Makes A Healthy Philadelphia?  thinking about health in the broadest terms.

 

For more info click here

 
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A Taste of African Heritage

 Greater Olney Branch of Free Library

Wednesday, August 5, 2015 at 6:00PM 
5501 North 5th Street, 19120-2805
215-685-2846 

 

Join us for a cooking class series from Oldways. Traditionally, African-American ancestors ate a delicious, plant-based diet that was high in flavor and naturally low in cholesterol, saturated fat, sugars, and excess sodium.  We'll bring this enjoyable, simple, healthy way of eating back to life in this free six-class series, as we "meet" the major foods of African heritage and learn how to easily prepare them.  Space is limited; to sign up for the six-week program, please contact the Adult Librarian at (215) 685-2846 or stop by the library.

Participants are expected to attend all six classes, which will be held on August 5, 12, 19, 26, Sept 2 and 9, from 6:00 - 7:30 p.m

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Join Norris Square Neighborhood Project 

Friday, August 14th at 7:00PM for a free Scribe's Street Movies movie screening in Las Parcelas Garden (2248 N Palethorpe Street).

 

El Hijo de Ruby will be screened along with short film projects created by NSNP youth over the summer. Join us for a lovely night in Las Parcelas under the stars.



ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

Grow Mill Creek Farm's Educational Programs!

Mill Creek Video
Mill Creek Video

Since 2005 Mill Creek Farm has provided a safe and enriching green space for neighborhood children to visit and become engaged in the exciting act of growing food.  Now in our tenth year, Mill Creek Farm has developed formal, year-round educational programming for 1,050 participants, and enriching experiences for nearly 1,500 visitors annually.  This summer we need an extra boost from our community of supporters to help us meet the growing demand for unique youth development and environmental education opportunities.

Donate here

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Norris Square Neighborhood Projects

 

Did you know that NSNP offers tours with workshops (for a small fee) related to sustainability, Latino culture, and agriculture in our garden spaces? NSNP offers a variety of tours and workshops that can be geared to people of all ages and fit into your lesson plans related to botany or the arts.

Email us at tours@myneighborhoodproject.org to schedule a tour today!

 

 

 

ON THE GROUND 


Saturday Farm Market @ Mill Creek Farm
 
 

Fresh, Seasonal, Locally Grown, Chemical Free Fruits & Vegetables 

11am-2pm 
4901 Brown Street 
Phila Pa 19139 

 

 

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2-6 pm
33rd and Diamond streets, in front of Mander Recreation Center
Every Wednesday through October

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IN THE KNOW
Penn St Extension Master Gardener Basic Training: Philadelphia
Do you have keen interest in gardening, a willingness to learn more, and a strong desire to help others learn? You may be a good candidate to become a Penn State Master Gardener! This training runs from August 27th 2015 through January 14th, 2016.
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The City of Philadelphia's Mayor's Food Policy Fellowship 
The City is offering an opportunity for undergraduate and graduate-level students to learn about and contribute to the City's work in combating hunger. Mayor's Food Policy fellows will research emergency meal policy for the Mayor's Office of Community Empowerment and Opportunity (CEO), coordinate volunteers at designated soup kitchens, coordinate implementation of Meals and More programming, and collect data on emergency meal guests and providers. Fellows will help improve the quality of emergency meals served in Philadelphia, and will also gain valuable experience for careers in City government and non-profits. 

The Mayor's Food Policy Fellowship is an unpaid opportunity that will take place over the fall semester beginning in late August through early December. Fellows must commit to working a minimum of 12-15 hours per week. Fellows must be available to work the duration of the program.
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TreePhilly is hiring a seasonal intern to work from September through May!
 They are looking for someone friendly and energetic, a good communicator and a team player. Applications will be accepted through July 31st.

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