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Garden News 5-17-20

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May 172020

2020 – Celebrating 20 Years of Feeding the Hungry

Greenhouse Update: Since February over 20,000 vegetable plant sets were started or housed in the greenhouse. Now they are being distributed at no charge to feed the local hungry. Below is the distribution list. In addition, some 2,300 plant sets started in the greenhouse are growing in the Faith & Grace Garden. If your nonprofit organization or garden would like to receive vegetable plant sets to feed the hungry, please contact Mark Marshall at 515-988-5381.

Organization	# Seedlings
25 Refugee Farmers – special thanks to Lutheran Services of Iowa (LSI)	14,000*	(*approximately; LSI indicates in addition to the 25 farmers, seedings will be distributed to about 100 other community gardeners)
Trinity Americas Church (food pantry for redistribution)	1,794
Central Iowa Shelter & Services Garden	288
St Francis of Assisi Garden	162
Fruitful Vine Garden (Waukee)	126
Daniels Garden (Altoona)	250
Christ the King School Garden	80
St James Lutheran Community Garden	36
Drake University Sprout Garden	18
Van Meter United Methodist Giving Garden	132
Cornerstone Family Church	68
Needy Individuals	464
Total donated through May 15	17,418

What’s next for vegetable plant distribution? Sweet potato starts! Around Memorial Day, we have sweet potato starts ready to plant in the Faith & Grace Garden as well as give at no charge to local donation gardens.

Contact Mark Marshall at 515-988-5381 soon for details.

Garden Update: We are now finishing up planting 620 tomato plants in the Faith & Grace Garden. Next we will be planting peppers and eggplant, and planting more melons and squash.

Soon we will be harvesting peas, lettuce and spinach. In June, we will start harvesting blueberries and garlic.

Volunteering at Faith & Grace Garden – Sunshine, Fresh Air & Social Distance

Now is a great time to be a garden volunteer….but, in keeping with the concerns of not contributing to the spread of COVID 19 we are limiting volunteer opportunities in the garden.

If you would like to volunteer, please contact Mark Marshall at wdmmarshall@msn.com or by calling or texting him at 988-5381 to arrange a convenient day and time. This will allow us to plan a safe volunteer experience for you.

We ask that volunteers coming to the garden observe the CDC’s guidelines, Prevention of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) including frequent handwashing, and avoiding direct physical exchanges with other gardeners. Most importantly, if you are feeling ill, have family members or friends who are ill, have been to a location where COVID-19 is prevalent, or are at-risk or immunocompromised, please refrain from volunteering in the garden.

As always, volunteers should dress for the weather, wear hard soled shoes, and bring garden gloves if you have them. Gloves are also available at the garden if you do not have them.

If you cannot volunteer your time, consider a financial donation to continue this important work. Send your check to St. Timothy’s, 1020 24th Street, West Des Moines, IA, 50266. Please note Faith & Grace Garden in the memo line.

See you in the Garden!

Tim Goldman -745-9842 timothyjgoldman@gmail.com
Mark Marshall -988-5381 wdmmarshall@msn.com

Garden News 4-17-20

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Apr 172020

Hello Friends!

We are now planting potatoes and onions in the garden and doing some maintenance. We would welcome your help in the garden!

In keeping with the concerns of not contributing to the spread of COVID 19 we are limiting volunteer opportunities in the garden.

We ask that volunteers coming to the garden observe the CDC’s guidelines, Prevention of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) including frequent hand washing, and avoiding direct physical exchanges with other gardeners. Most importantly, if you are feeling ill, have family members or friends who are ill, have been to a location where COVID-19 is prevalent, or are at-risk or immune-compromised, please refrain from volunteering in the garden.

Click Here to Download Our Garden Risk Policy which all volunteers need to read and sign. Please bring your signed Garden Risk Policy with you the first time you volunteer in the garden this year, as we need to keep them on file.

As always, volunteers should dress for the weather, wear hard soled shoes, and bring garden gloves if you have them. Gloves are also available at the garden if you do not have them.

See you in the Garden!

Garden News 4-6-20

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Apr 062020

2020 – Celebrating 20 Years of Feeding the Hungry
Planting in the Faith & Grace Garden Greenhouse Continues….over 10,000 vegetable plant sets are now up and growing! Broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, kohlrabi, and many varieties of peppers and tomatoes were planted in late February. Melons and squash will be planted soon.If you know of a donation garden that would like some free plant sets, please have them contact Mark Marshall at wdmmarshall@msn.com with the following information:

Tim Goldman 515-745-9842 timothyjgoldman@gmail.com
Mark Marshall 515-988-5381 wdmmarshall@msn.com

Garden News 12-4-19

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Dec 042019

Year-end Garden Newsletter – Looking Back and Looking Forward

Oh, what a year it was….12,762 pounds of organic fruits and vegetables were raised in 2019 through the efforts of hundreds of volunteers from churches, schools, civic organizations and businesses and donated to feed the local hungry.

In October we also finished erecting a 1,248 sq. ft. greenhouse by the garden.

Exploratory Beekeeping – Tuesday, December 10, 6:30-8:30pm

Room 131 at St. Timothy’s,

1020 24th St in WDM

Interested in learning more about beekeeping? Join Julia for an overview of a beekeeper’s year regarding labor, costs, and seasonal considerations. Learn about city bee laws and activities that will support pollinators whether you are a beekeeper or not. Planting guides and more available to take home to help you help pollinators.

To register or for more information, contact Julia McGuire at julia@juliecache.com

Here are harvest and donation results for 2019

Tim Goldman 515-745-9842 timothyjgoldman@gmail.com
Mark Marshall 515-988-5381 wdmmarshall@msn.com

Garden News 9-17-19

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Sep 172019

HELP WANTED!
Given the increased chance of rain later in the week, we could really use lots of help in the garden today. Here’s what is going on:
Greenhouse construction – Help us bring to assemble the greenhouse. Bring a hammer and cordless drill if you have them.
Garden harvesting: Help pick tomatoes, beans, peppers, cucumbers and melons.

VOLUNTEER HOURS TODAY ONLY: 8:30 am – 5:30 pm (at least, call about after 5:30 pm). No one in the garden during lunch break Noon -1 pm

THANKS!!

UPDATE:

Thanks so much for the great turnout in the garden this morning!
We picked lettuce, tomatoes, peppers, and squash. 227 pounds of vegetables were delivered to the food pantry. We are now caught up, and do not need more help with harvesting this afternoon.
Work on the greenhouse will continue to 5 pm. Come out and help if you can.

Tim Goldman 515-745-9842 timothyjgoldman@gmail.com
Mark Marshall 515-988-5381 wdmmarshall@msn.com

Garden News 8-21-19

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Aug 212019

We are harvesting about 1,000 pounds of organic vegetables each week

The weather is mild and the garden is beautiful. Come out and help for an hour. Volunteer times are available by appointment, just call Tim at 515-745-9842 or Mark at 515-988-5381 to arrange a time convenient for you, or sign up to volunteer during these regular volunteer times:
8:30 am – 10:30 am on Tuesdays and Thursdays (use the link below to schedule)
Morning Garden Sign Up

5:30 pm – 8:30 pm on Mondays and Wednesdays and NEW TIME Fridays 6pm – 8pm (use the link below to schedule)
Evening Garden Sign Up

5:30 pm – 8:30 pm on Mondays and Wednesdays (use the link below to schedule)

Student Service Hours Sign Up

By signing up, you help us to plan our work or send you a cancellation message should the need arise

Garden Greenhouse Update – Under Construction in September

The foundation for the greenhouse will be poured beside the garden by Labor Day.
Materials for the 1,250 sq. ft. all-season permanent greenhouse will arrive shortly after Labor Day.
A service team from Habitat for Humanity will help erect the greenhouse on September 11.

Our plans call for growing enough plant sets in the new greenhouse each spring to meet the needs of the Faith & Grace Garden as well as 20 other donation gardens and 15 refugee urban farmers at no charge.

Here are harvest and donation results through August 18, 2019
Tim Goldman 515-745-9842 timothyjgoldman@gmail.com | Mark Marshall 515-988-5381 wdmmarshall@msn.com

Garden News 7-14-19

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Jul 142019

Blueberry picking is now in full swing in the garden!
Help is needed!!! See Details below:

We need help harvesting as well as watering. Come out and help for an hour. Volunteer times are available by appointment, just call Tim at 515-745-9842 or Mark at 515-988-5381 to arrange a time convenient for you, or sign up to volunteer at these regular volunteer times:

8:30 am – 10:30 am on Tuesdays and Thursdays (use the link below to schedule)
Morning Garden Sign Up

5:30 pm – 8:30 pm on Mondays and Wednesdays (use the link below to schedule)
Evening Garden Sign Up

5:30 pm – 8:30 pm on Mondays and Wednesdays (use the link below to schedule)
Student Service Hours Sign Up

By signing up, you help us to plan our work or send you a cancellation message should the need arise.

WOW! Garden Greenhouse Update – Project Fully Funded – Thank you for your generous support!

Thanks to the generosity of many of individuals, local organizations and foundations we now have the funds necessary to erect the 1,250 sq. ft. all-season permanent greenhouse beside the Faith & Grace Garden. Our plans call for growing enough plant sets each spring to meet the needs of the Faith & Grace Garden as well as 20 other donation gardens and 15 refugee urban farmers at no charge.

A service team from Habitat for Humanity will erect the greenhouse in September.

Special thanks to all the organizations that have volunteered in the garden this season!!!

8 – 15 volunteers from the Lutheran Services of Iowa Refugee Services program come to the garden on every Thursday morning.

3 – 8 volunteers from Vegelife come to the garden on every other Monday evening.

A 12 member team from Deloitte Services volunteered in the garden for Impact Day in June.

Volunteer groups from Walnut Creek School and Ashworth Road Baptist Church planted potatoes in the garden in May.

Here are harvest and donation results through July 11

Pounds Harvested:
Asparagus	57
Beets	195
Blueberries	45
Lettuce	530
Onions	60
Radishes	25
Spinach	5
Turnips	130
Total Harvested	1,047
Pounds Donated:
Bethel Mission	15
Trinity	218
WDM Human Services	676
Lutheran Services of Iowa	138
Total Donated	1,047

Tim Goldman -745-9842 timothyjgoldman@gmail.com
Mark Marshall -988-5381 wdmmarshall@msn.com

Garden News 4-24-19

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Apr 242019

Interesting TED Talk: Regeneration of Our Lands: A Producer’s Perspective
The health of our soil resource has declined to such a point that it is not only negatively affecting farm and ranch profitability, but it is also having a devastating impact on everything from our water quality to our communities and even to our health. North Dakota rancher Gabe Brown walks us through a common sense solution to this crisis. Gabe Brown is one of the pioneers of the current soil health movement that focuses on regenerating our resources. Gabe, along with his wife, Shelly, and son, Paul, own and operate a diversified 5,000-acre farm and ranch near Bismarck, ND. Their operation focuses on farming and ranching in nature’s image. The Browns holistically integrate their grazing and no-till cropping systems, which include a wide variety of cash crops, multi-species cover crops along with all natural grass finished beef and lamb. They also raise pastured laying hens, broilers and swine. This diversity and integration has regenerated the natural resources on the ranch without the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides and fungicides. The Browns are part owners of a state inspected abattoir which allows them to direct market their products. They believe that healthy soil leads to clean air, clean water, healthy plants, animals, and people. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at http://ted.com/tedx

Forecast for this evening is sunny and 70 degrees. Come join us in the garden!
This week we are planting onions and potatoes.

2019 Garden Volunteer Times
Mondays – 5:30 pm until 7:30 pm
Tuesdays – 8:30 am until 10:30 am
Wednesdays – 5:30 pm until 7:30 pm
Thursdays – 8:30 am until 10:30 am
Friday and Saturday – By appointment. Contact Tim
Goldman and Mark Marshall by texting 745-9842 and 988-5381.
Sunday – Closed

Signing Up to Volunteer – Highly Recommended

By signing up to volunteer we can contact you in case bad weather or something else unforeseen causes us to cancel on your volunteer day.

It is fast and easy to sign up.
Click the Sign Up that is best for you:
Student Service Hours Sign Up
Morning Garden Sign Up
Evening Garden Sign Up

Garden News 4-16-19

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Apr 162019

It’s Potato Planting Time!
We now have 1,600 row feet ready to plant.
We will start planting on Monday.
High School students harvesting sweet potatoes last fall.

Want to learn more about the vegan diet or would you like to meet local vegans? Here’s your opportunity!

Event activities:
– Plant based foods!
– Seed planting
– Guess the veggie game
-connect with Iowa Food Coop, LSI Global Greens, Citizen’s Climate Lobby, Des Moines Taskforce on Sustainability, and Nature Bag
– Speakers on nutrition, eating on a budget and zero waste, among others!
– 3 cooking demos

See you there!

ONE SIZE FITS NONE
Publisher synopsis:
“Sustainable” has long been the rallying cry of agricultural progressives; given that much of our nation’s farm and ranch land is already degraded, however, sustainable agriculture often means maintaining a less-than-ideal status quo. Industrial agriculture has also co-opted the term for marketing purposes without implementing better practices.
(cont next column)

Stephanie’s book signing will be at the Beaverdale Book Store on April 26th.

Stephanie Anderson argues that in order to provide nutrient-rich food and fight climate change, we need to move beyond sustainable to regenerative agriculture, a practice that is highly tailored to local environments and renews resources.

In One Size Fits None Anderson follows diverse farmers across the United States: a South Dakota bison rancher who provides an alternative to the industrial feedlot; an organic vegetable farmer in Florida who harvests microgreens; a New Mexico super-small farmer who revitalizes communities; and a North Dakota midsize farmer who combines livestock and grain farming to convert expensive farmland back to native prairie. The use of these nontraditional agricultural techniques show how varied operations can give back to the earth rather than degrade it. This book will resonate with anyone concerned about the future of food in America, providing guidance for creating a better, regenerative agricultural future.

Signing Up to Volunteer – Highly Recommended

By signing up to volunteer we can contact you in case bad weather or something else unforeseen causes us to cancel on your volunteer day.

It is fast and easy to sign up.
Click the Sign Up that is best for you:
Student Service Hours Sign Up
Morning Garden Sign Up
Evening Garden Sign Up

Garden News 2-21-19

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Feb 212019

Only 28 Days Till Spring!!!
Garlic peeking through snow in January. We plant garlic in the fall and harvest it in June.

Beat the Heat This Summer!

Beat the summer heat by volunteering in the mornings on Tuesdays and Thursdays this season. Come for all or part of the time between 7:30am and 10am.

Volunteer groups are now being organized. Contact Tim Goldman for details.

10th Annual Feed Greater Des Moines Conference

Join us for the 10th Annual Feed Greater Des Moines Conference. This year’s conference will focus on intersections; the intersection of refugee services and local food production and the intersection of housing and food insecurity. Attend workshops to learn how you can volunteer, donate and advocate for positive change.

Sponsors include Eat Greater Des Moines, Kum & Go, 818 Design, Campbell’s Nutrition, Community Choice Credit Union, Grand View University, United Way of Central Iowa and WesleyLife.

Eat Greater Des Moines is a central Iowa-based organization that facilitates and builds connections to strengthen the area’s food system. Their mission is to identify, develop, and connect resources with the broader community to support the entire food lifecycle in central Iowa. Learn more at: www.eatgreaterdesmoines.org

10th Annual Feed Greater Des Moines Conference
March 6, 2019 | 10am – 4:30pm
Grand View University Student Center
2811 East 14th Street
Des Moines, IA 50316
Facebook: eatgreaterdesmoines
Instagram: eatgreaterdesmoines
Twitter: EatGreaterDM
Event hashtag: #FeedDSM19
Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/2207053322871970/
Ticketing page and event landing page: http://feeddsm.com/

Garden Coordinator Mark Marshall enjoying the off season in Hawaii….

Mark Marshall and wife Sandy like to vacation in Hawaii once gardening season ends. They enjoy the ocean and time on the beach. Sandy says it’s a great time for Mark to really relax….until he spied a church garden that needed some weeding last week.
Mark, hope you are enjoying your time away!

Looking back at last season – over 11,000 pounds donated!

This annual guide is a summary of currently suggested vegetable varieties, seeding rates, fertilizer rates, weed control, insect control, and disease control measures for commercial growers.
We think it also may be of some interest to organic gardeners and small farmers.
Created by Purdue University Extension. 240 pp. Available in hard copy from ISU Extension ($15), or as a free PDF from Purdue University.

For More Information on The Faith & Grace Garden

Tim Goldman -745-9842 timothyjgoldman@gmail.com

Mark Marshall -988-5381 wdmmarshall@msn.com

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