Fall is an exciting time! As we harvest the last crops, plant garlic, and put the gardens to bed, we're already planning for spring.
For VCGN, that means celebrating our Community Teaching Garden class of 2015 and developing ways to make this hands-on beginning gardening program even better, wrapping up the Grow It! workshops for garden leaders and finding out what resources and skills they need next, hearing from our Gardens For Learning and Green Thumbs at Work grantees and signing up groups for 2016, and helping garden groups all over the state plan for
successful and resilient gardens.
It's inspiring to see so many new gardens starting at housing sites, workplaces, neighborhoods, and schools. These sites are feeding our communities and connecting us to our food and to each other.
We look forward to sharing more about what's coming up in 2016
and we hope to see you at one of these
fun local events.
Cheers,
~ Jess, Libby, Carolina, Denise, and Trish
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 The Toolshed: Tips for Garden Leaders
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Resilience in the Garden
By Libby Weiland, Statewide Network Coordinator
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As you wrap up the season, there's no better time to take stock of your successes, challenges, and lessons learned from this year's garden. You can start by asking yourselves as garden leaders and your garden community some basic questions. Record your answers, so they can be used to inform next season and as well as help you build your garden's resiliency in the long-term.
Click here to read the full Toolshed Tip.
There's great value in taking one season's lessons to inform the next. Make sure to keep an eye on the big picture, considering: Are you meeting the greater needs? Is your garden community able to respond effectively to challenges? Will your garden last in the long-run?
A resilient garden community has:
- Resources and know-how to solve problems that arise.
- Infrastructure to adequately meet the needs of the gardeners.
- A diversity of skills and knowledge to contribute to the garden.
- Effective ways of communicating to and among gardeners.
- Suitable conditions for growing on and maintaining the land in the long-term.
- A system of support within and beyond the garden borders.
- A joyous community of gardeners that value the garden and its benefits.
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Upcoming VCGN Events:
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Hands in the Dirt Film Premiere:
Wednesday, Oct. 14, 5:30-7:30pm, Black Box Theater, 60 Lake St., Burlington. "HANDS in the Dirt" is a movie that showcases a collaborative gardening project with Ethan Allen Residence (a long-term senior care home), HANDS (Helping And Nurturing Diverse Seniors), and VCGN. Appetizers and a cash bar by Penny Cluse Café, auction, and opening remarks by Charlie Nardozzi. $18 suggested donation.
Saturday, Oct. 17, 9am - 1pm, Red Wagon Plants in Hinesburg. LIMITED SPACE - PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Learn the basics of dry-laid stone work and how to make an herb spiral. The cost is $35, with light snacks provided.
Register online or at
(802) 861-4769 by Oct. 14 to reserve your spot.
Wednesday, Oct. 21, Bluebird Barbecue, 317 Riverside Ave, Burlington.10% of sales will benefit VCGN, so we want to fill the house! Mention VCGN when making your reservation at (802) 448-3070.
We'll also be doing a special volunteer appreciation with free apps for our regular volunteers!
Check out the
VCGN calendar for more events from all over the state.
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Become a
VCGN member for discounts to Grow It! workshops, Gardener's Supply, and more!
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Since 2001, the Vermont Community Garden Network (formerly known as Friends of Burlington Gardens) has worked with community and school groups to start, sustain and grow gardens, building strong local food systems and vibrant educational sites.
The monthly VCGN Newsletter provides garden-based news, resources, and events to more than 2,600 gardeners and garden leaders all over the state.
We welcome your comments and suggestions. Send your garden news and events to [email protected]. For even more current information and updates, connect to VCGN and other gardens on
Facebook and
Twitter.
We'd love to hear from you!
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YOU DID IT!
BIG THANKS
to everyone who helped us meet the Jane B. Cook 1992 Charitable Trust fundraising challenge. We reached the goal for donations from outside Chittenden County and will receive a $10,000 grant in support of our work with garden groups all over Vermont!
This special challenge gets us one step closer to our annual fundraising goal. Help us meet the growing need:
click here to make your donation.
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Fall is the time to be planning for your 2016 garden. Need funds? There are many grants available for school and community gardens.
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Fall Grow It! Workshops
More than 260 garden leaders have participated in this unique regional workshop series.
Join community and school garden leaders, VCGN's Libby Weiland, and Garden Expert Charlie Nardozzi this fall in Manchester Center on Oct. 15 and Brattleboro on Oct. 28
Click here for more info and registration.
Rootskills Retreat
The New England Grassroots Environment Fund invites community innovators & activists for a day of skills-sharpening, designed especially for the grassroots! Celebrate community action, share stories, learn and reflect on different skills that make us successful.
Oct. 31 & Nov. 1 in Keene, NH.
Click here for more info and registration.
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VCGN is seeking board members
Application deadline Nov. 12
Are you passionate about food access, food justice, and community building? Would you like to be part of this amazing community-based food movement? VCGN is accepting applications for its board of directors.
Click here for more info.
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