We have installed two raised bed vegetable gardens at the Evanston(northern suburb) YWCA and domestic violence shelter. These will provide the residents with fresh organic produce right in their backyard and create an opportunity to bring the community together and provide educational workshops.
The curriculum for educational workshops is in the works, we have two professional teachers on board that will definitely aid our progress. We have been invited to two schools in the Chicago area to head gardening and healthy eating workshops this summer.
Last Friday, Julie and I attended the Healthy Schools Campaign breakfast briefing, a non profit whose goal is the change the quality of food in Chicago public schools and promote fitness and healthy living. Board members spoke as well as Steve McDonnell, the founder and CEO of organic meat company Applegate farms and Janey Thorton, the Deputy Under Secretary for Food,Nutrition and the USDA.
It was very exciting to see so many concerned individuals in one room, taking the initiative and acting for this cause.
I have just started re-reading the Omnivore's Dilemma by Micheal Pollan, and will write about that soon.
Post pictures soon!
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Sounds like a great first week. Did you help with the vegetable garden? Will We Farm continue to help with the garden over the summer or leave its maintenance up to the YWCA and shelter?
ReplyDeleteAs you learn more about the educational workshops, please be sure to write about that and compile all your notes into a notebook. Seeing your thought and composing process is a great way to reflect on what you've learned.
Will you also be working on the Healthy Schools Campaign?