Gardening the Community

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Starting your urban garden usuing raised beds

Hello Fellow Urban Gardeners,

This question of raised beds came up yesterday with agroup looking to start their own community garden.
This video seemed pretty helpful. You may be able to find some of the materials at our local Eco-Building Bargains (formerly the Restore).

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Thank you for Believing in Us!

Dear GTC Friends,

Despite a tornado, hurricane and October snowstorm,

2011 was a year of growth and accomplishment for GTC. We grew at every level, and so many of you helped make this possible. We supported 30 youth in learning new urban agriculture and leadership skills, positively contributing to their community while earning money and growing more than 1,000 pounds of beautiful produce on four formerly abandoned lots in Springfield. And we celebrated 10 years of impact!

Your support is critical to continuing our work in 2012. Please consider making an end-of-year contribution to GTC, so we can deepen our roots and continue to grow food justice in 2012. Your gift -- large or small -- will make a tremendous difference.

We envision 2012 as a year of possibility for GTC. In our gardens we will be seeding and nurturing strong bodies and minds, delicious and healthy organic food, youth leadership and community partnership, as well as social justice and activism. We know this is powerful, life changing work. To quote GTC Youth Coordinator Qamaria Amatul Wadud (as reported in the Springfield Republican): "We're more than just a garden. We're trying to figure out some solutions to really difficult problems facing our community. We're not the whole piece, but we're an important part of [the solution]."

With your support, GTC will become an even bigger part of that solution over the next year. Thank you for believing in us!

Wishing you and your family health and happiness in 2012,

Anne Richmond

Program Director,

on behalf of the GTC Board, staff and youth

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Highlights from GTC's work in 2011

Selling over 1,000 pounds of organic produce at affordable prices at the Mason Square Farmer's Market and Shriners' Hospital; piloting an affordable CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) program for 30 community residents called GTC EATS!
Installing a learning garden behind the Mason Square branch library; leading a summer garden club for neighborhood children;
Hosting over 250 volunteers, including students from local schools and college;
Reaching over 200 people through educational workshops and presentations
Organizing to expand healthy food access in our neighborhood and address the root causes of the high rates of diabetes and cardiovascular disease that plague our community

Friday, October 28, 2011

Thank You!!!

Thanks to all of you who helped make our celebration a success!!

The youth were thrilled with all the support they received and we were overjoyed with the amount of folks who campus to support GtC. Thanks to all of our donors, volunteers, sponsors, staff, and board and of course our youth.We could not have done this without any of you. We are proud to call you our community.

Here are a few pictures from that amazing night!

Thank you!!