Food Pantry Team
Team Food Pantry plants, waters, tends, harvests, washes, weighs, packages and delivers organic produce to the food pantry at St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church right across the street from Brook Run Park. We grow all year round. We are currently cultivating 1200 square feet of space, which includes about 15 spaces at the main garden, 8 beds at the greenhouse, 5 beds at St. Pat’s garden, 300 square feet at the JCC garden, and more. In 2010, we donated or inspired the donation of (from home and other gardens) over 1100 pounds of fresh food, for a donated value of over $6000. In 2011 through April, we donated 434 pounds of fresh produce, and provided a donated value of $2,170 in 2011 so far.
. We harvest every Tuesday morning (rain, shine, or snow!) at 8:30 AM at the main garden, and Wednesday afternoons at 2 PM with the food pantry clients at St. Pat’s. We have fun. We learn a lot. And we feel really good about what we do. Our goal is that no one who comes to a local food pantry leaves without something fresh, organic and healthy. The food pantry serves 70-140 families a week (with double that at holiday time), and some weeks (including just recently) we’ve already reached that goal.
Pumpkin Team
Plant, weed, water and fertilize (organically) the pumpkin patch. In the fall, plant cover crops, and in the spring, plant the three sisters: corn, beans, and pumpkins. You get first dibs on the harvest.
Greenhouse Team
Help maintain the plants growing in the greenhouse and help with our annual spring plant sale.
Thieves’ Beds Team
Plant, weed, water and fertilize (organically) our two thieves’ beds.
Hedgerow Team
Weed, mulch, water, fertilize our berry hedgerow. Expand the row along the length of the north fence by deciding which plants to add and then planting them!
Water Team
Help monitor the water level in the cistern. Use your water key to fill the tank if it is empty or low. Check the hoses and fixtures and repair them when necessary.
Mulch Team
Help maintain the mulched paths.
Cover Crop Team
Plant cover crops in the green areas in front of the garden and cover crops or wildflowers in the side areas.
Grounds Team
Monitor the benches and picnic tables for repairs. Notify the board with requests for the city’s parks department (clearing underbrush, trimming trees, etc.).
Fence Team
Monitor the condition of the fence and gates and make repairs when necessary.
Compost Team
Turn compost when needed. Add leaves, etc. to the piles when necessary. You get first dibs on the black gold!
Youth Outreach Team
Work with Scout troops who wish to tour or participate in a project at our garden.
Rain Garden Team
Help finish the rain garden we created for stormwater mitigation. Coordinate with the flower team on planting projects scheduled for October and November.
Flower Team
The Flower Team engages in projects geared toward beautifying the entrance and grounds. So far, we have developed flower beds on either side of the gate and at the curb. We are striving for sustainable beauty, so we try to use perennial plants, flowering shrubs, and plants that re-seed themselves. We also focus on plants that are drought tolerant and deer resistant. At times, we partner with the Grounds Team to complete projects.
On-going Seasonal Tasks: Spring–prepare the soil, plant, fertilize, mulch
Summer – Weed, deadhead, water, fertilize as needed, check for problems
Fall – Clean up, plant bulbs, add shrubs; add soil amendments
Education Team
Brainstorm ideas for educational activities, such as gardening workshops or field trips, and coordinate with potential teachers.
Social Events Team
Organize potlucks and other social gatherings. Reach out to members who’ve lost a loved one or have encountered a difficult time.
Read Full Post »
