from January

another resource: http://www.dukecityfix.com/group/urbanfarmers
localfoodnm.org

I also registered at gardenersguild.org as a member of The Plot Thickens, but also as a landscape designer. I will copy you on the summary I send to them that Christianna Cappelle asked for at the meeting.

Next meeting of Ag. Collab: Feb. 11, Alternative Irrigation Methods @Mr.Cog building (white columned, on Copper, across from Farmer's Market park)


Agriculture Collaborative Meeting: The Buzz Around Community Gardens, Jan. 14
Speakers

Wade Patterson, Buzz Action on 8th and Summer, and Director of Arts and Community Dev. at Harwood Art Center.
Buzz has 4 plots (originally 9x3 each) that are designated for neighborhood picking, anyone who wanders in or is hungry, etc. These are tended by volunteers (as all other plot is assigned to a paying member who tends by his/herself) and a sign directs one to the plots and asks that they take only what they need and leave the rest for others. He says it works fine and reduces stealing from private plots.

Buzz has a management committee and a contract w/Dory the land owner. They relied heavily on the Wasatch Handbook about community gardens which is available online. They had straw bale raised beds, but will replace them with some kind of stone/concrete this year (3rd season) as the bales are good for only 2 seasons. After building, they had specified planting days so people could come together and share extra plants, etc. They had a first year budget of $3000 to pay for water from the neighbor and their entire water bill and materials, etc., much of which was donated.

The second season they got a grant for $10,000 from the MRA plan Education Committee (administered by the Sawmill Community Land Trust). With this money they hired a garden manager and organized events and education for the space to gain community support even if people did not garden there.*"important and critical"

Wade also stresses that an affiliation with a non-profit and/or an existing entity is recommended to remain sustainable, such as a church, community center, school, etc. for land and water security, storage, and a possibility for grants. The plot fees help with some of the cost, but could never cover them all for a garden this size.

They have started to collect rain water from a neighbor's roof; did a worm-composting bin art/education project with Wells Park CC after-school program;
had potlucks and workshops to bring people in to build "social capital" and "social sustainability." Although he said they put out flyers for the workshops, I did not hear about them in any way. So I want to contact him about this.


My take on Buzz: since they have land insecurity (3 year contract w/Dory, yearly renewal), I think Harwood, Wade, etc might be interested in considering the land across 15th for a permanent home. I think us developing that property is way beyond our scope, especially after hearing all about committees, grants, managers, etc.

The way to get more involvement for The Plot Thickens is to be hyper-local and more communicative with the neighbors in a very small radius. With SCLT developing a huge garden and the existence of Buzz, I think we should not try to compete with them, but add what only a small, non-bureaucratic entity can. And what is this you say? let's discuss it!!

Also let's check out their worm-composting bins.

John Bulten, Director of East Central Ministries, community development through urban farming
eastcentralministries.org
Garden is N of central @123 Vermont St NE, behind a house that was donated, in operation for 7 years. Let's check it out together.
They manufacture ollas which are porous clay containers to be buried up to the neck for watering, at 420 Virginia St SE.

Their focus is on "building community with purpose," "raising up indigenous leaders" and kids. That neighborhood has 82% rental housing; the population is really transient. Some years are more successful than others.

They have a greenhouse that was converted from a carport. They have chickens, solar panels, often go to Farmer's Market, have a tutoring program for the kids in school. They have all these projects including the olla-making to increase community involvement, provide jobs, keep kids and adults busy and engaged in positive activities. They have worm composting with help from Soilutions.

They have a food co-op that costs $15/month for a family share with 2 hours of volunteer work. Families pick up food weekly. They distribute 2-3 tons of food a week. Obviously they didn't grow it all!

They also have a housing co-op and a health clinic.

My take is, We need to check this place out even if just for inspiration.

Christianna Cappelle, manager of Gardeners Guild, new location 4012 Central SE, 268-2719, library, exchange, resource center and store with super cute garden stuff and books to help operating costs. In existence for 5 years, a gathering, social space, online support, organizing "Albuquerque Garden Exchange" network for info, team visits, tours, food, etc., a clearinghouse, collecting point.

More stuff
a garden registry is being constructed
a garden at schools registry is being constructed
Susan from Rio Grande Community Farm is organizing the next community garden tour.
garden accessibility for all ages, needs, etc
Rebecca Dakota, independent video producer, wants to make a movie about growing food and needs funding sources/ideas. 858-1868
Hank Bruce, horticultural therapist and founder of Hunger Grow Away attended. hungergrowaway.com
many, many people were there; I haven't gotten the contact list yet.
I was interested in a program called "Kids Cooking," but did not see the person to talk with after.

And finally, a squash bug tip from Petie Mesquite, an Arizona garden personality:
use coyote squash pureed to spray all over squash plants to keep the squash bugs away. He swears it works. Lets try it.