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Kids, Compost & Connections
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We're growing a healthier Vermont by helping people of all ages access the space and resources to grow their own food and connect with each other - like these kids at the Richford NOTCH Daycamp, a VCGN Gardens For Learning site.
Please click here to make a donation that grows more gardens, gardeners, and garden leaders!
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Spotlight: Gardens For Learning
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Gardens For Learning Statewide Coordinator Carolina Lukac has been visiting sites all over the state to share and learn about successful hands-on gardening and cooking activities designed for kids.
Check out highlights from the visits here.
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The
Champlain Valley Fair
is coming up Aug. 26-Sept. 6 in Essex Junction and gardeners of all ages can enter vegetables, fruit, flowers, and preserves in the Garden Center competitions. It's easy to enter - and you can even win cash prizes! Simply bring your best produce to the Robert E. Miller Expo North building at the Fairgrounds in Essex Junction between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. on Aug. 25. The youth exhibit in-person judging is Saturday, Aug. 27. We're making it extra fun this year, with "You Be The Judge!" Jess Hyman of Vermont Community Garden Network will lead youth participants (and spectators) through a judging how-to with useful growing, harvesting, and exhibiting tips, then everyone gets to help judge the entries. As a special bonus, each youth exhibitor and an accompanying parent or guardian receive a FREE Saturday pass to the fair. For the entry form and tips on selecting and preparing your produce for exhibit, go to
www.champlainvalleyfair.org/GardenCenter.html
Woodchuck Returns to Gardening, 1pm Saturday, Aug. 13 at Barnes & Noble in South Burlington. Join local
author and master gardener Ron Krupp to discuss how to extend the growing season and put the garden to rest. Copies of his most recent book, The Woodchuck Returns to Gardening, will be available for purchase. More info.
Vermont Open Farm Week is August 15-21 at sites across Vermont. Do you love local food and farms? Want to get to know your farmer better -- and to get a behind-the-scenes look into Vermont's vibrant working agricultural landscape? Check out the line-up of activities.
SAVE THE DATE:
Garden Harvest Party at Ethan Allen Homestead, Sunday, Oct. 2. This community potluck is open to all gardeners, friends, and community members with kids activities and games, garden and trails tours, and music by Woodbury Strings. Presented by the Vermont Community Garden Network in partnership with Burlington Parks, Recreation & Waterfront/Burlington Area Community Gardens, Winooski Valley Park District, VNA Family Room, New Farms for New Americans and HANDS.
Grow It Workshops & Community Compost Forums
- This fall VCGN will hold Grow It! workshops at four locations around the state, followed by Community Composting Forums. Our theme is COMPOST! The workshop will focus on community and school garden compost management and is intended to build organizing skills and networking among school and community garden leaders. The workshop will begin at 4pm and include dinner. Find a workshop near you.
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 Resources & Opportunities
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July Toolshed Tip:
A Special Invitation
While your garden is still in its full glory, send a special invite to neighbors, volunteers, teachers, parents, donors, local officials and other current or potential stakeholders to come see your garden at its best. This is a great way to thank the people who have made contributions and inspire new partnerships and involvement.
Read the full Toolshed Tip.
Garden Grants
- Chartwells K12 and KidsGardening.org have partnered for the Eat. Learn. Live. and Grow Grant with funding for schools seeking to enhance their curriculum and offer food and nutrition education through an edible garden program. Grants of $1,000-$5,000 include KidsGardening curriculum packages and funding for garden supplies. The application deadline is August 31. More info.
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The
New England Grassroots Environment Fund (NEGEF), in partnership with the Vermont Community Garden Network, offers grants of $1,000-$3,500 for established school and community gardens to increase capacity, collaborate, and leverage impact. The application deadline is September 15.
More info.
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Grow It Workshops & Community Compost Forums
- This fall VCGN will hold Grow It! workshops at four locations around the state, followed by Community Composting Forums. Our theme is COMPOST! The workshop will focus on community and school garden compost management and is intended to build organizing skills and networking among school and community garden leaders. The workshop will begin at 4pm and include dinner. Find a workshop near you.
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GROW GARDENS, GARDENERS & GARDEN LEADERS
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We need your support to meet the growing needs of Vermont's gardeners and garden communities. These vibrant sites feed tens of thousands of people and are rich social and educational sites!
Please make a donation today to help more people grow food for themselves, their families, and neighbors. Thank you!
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Since 2001, the Vermont Community Garden Network (formerly known as Friends of Burlington Gardens) has worked with hundreds of community and school groups to start, sustain, and grow gardens, building strong local food systems and vibrant educational sites.
Contact us - we'd love to hear from you!
Jess Hyman
, Executive Director
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