January 17, 2008
GreenNet Retreat
Hello GreenNet,
Reminder:
GreenNet Retreat
Please join us in sharing fresh ideas for the New Year over a cozy fire. Besides brainstorming, we will also enjoy a nice lunch while reflecting on the past year of GreenNet. So kick off your shoes and join us for a relaxing workday.
When: Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Where: North Park Village Nature Center - 5801 N. Pulaski Road, Chicago, IL 60646, Phone: 312-744-5472
Time: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Lunch will be provided courtesy of GreenNet. We hope to see you there!
We are still in need of committee members for this year's Green and Growing Fair. Please pass along this notice to other organizations who you think may be interested. If interested please contact Julie Samuels at JSamuels@openlands.org.
Nancy Kreith
GreenNet President
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Nancy Kreith
Extension Program Coordinator
University of Illinois Extension
3807 W. 111th Street
Chicago, IL. 60655
office: 773.233.0476
fax: 773.233.0910
cell: 708.567.6101
url: http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/cook/
Posted by Nancy Kreith at 1:35 PM | Permalink |
January 14, 2008
Chicago Food Policy Summit
The Chicago Food Policy Advisory Council (CFPAC) has been in development for over five years utilizing consensus to establish a mission, organizational and operating structure and outreach to ensure inclusive membership representing a cross section of Chicago's residents. The council is also linked to a statewide network of councils organized by the Illinois Stewardship Alliance.
The CFPAC will be holding their Third Annual Summit on Tuesday, March 18 in Gar Hall at the Chicago Cultural Center.
Posted by Nancy Kreith at 1:26 PM | Permalink |
January 14, 2008
Milwaukee Urban Agriculture Conference
This conference invites everybody interested in urban agriculture to participate by sharing needs, experiences, questions, and project ideas. This conference will address the barriers to urban agriculture, by involving a wide range of often disconnected stakeholders: urban producers, researchers, urban planners, developers, community organizations, and urban activists to address the most important and controversial issues of poverty alleviation, environmental and waste management, local economic, social and community development and global warming.
Urban agricultural experts from around North America will join us from February 28-March 1 in forums, workshops, exhibitions, presentations, videos and networking. Please check out the presenters and the schedule.
Posted by Nancy Kreith at 12:55 PM | Permalink |
January 13, 2008
Natural Lawn Care Workshop
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What: A workshop featuring top experts and business professionals sharing their knowledge about natural lawn care techniques and methods for successfully implementing a program. |
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When: February 20-21, 2008 |
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Cost: $150 for the 2-day workshop, including continental breakfast and lunch on both days. Limited scholarships available. Please call 773-878-7378 ext. 203 for details. |
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Where: Oakton Community College |
Posted by Nancy Kreith at 6:46 PM | Permalink |
January 10, 2008
Apply for Mantis Tiller Award Program
Apply for the 2008 Mantis Award Program. Win one of 25 Mantis Tiller/Cultivators with border edger attachment for your garden program. Prize options include the Mantis Tiller/Cultivator (Gas Powered) or the Mantis Tiller/Cultivator (Electric). Deadline for application is March 1, 2008.
Posted by Ron Wolford at 2:46 AM | Permalink |
January 10, 2008
Sign Up for Building Urban Gardens Classes
Sign up for Openland's Building Urban Gardens (BUGS) eight-week course for urban gardeners who want to learn how to garden organically. Classes will be held at Garfield Park Conservatory, 300 North Central Park Avenue on Saturdays, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., January 26-March 22, 2008.
Posted by Ron Wolford at 2:13 AM | Permalink |
January 9, 2008
Smart Home at Museum of Science and Industry
The University of Illinois Extension is partnering with the Museum of Science and Industry to design, plant and maintain a sustainable vegetable garden as a part of the 2,500 square-foot sustainable "green" home exhibit: Smart Home: Green + Wired.
Guests will be able to view the latest innovations in reusable resources; smart energy consumption; sustainable gardens and green roofs; and clean, healthy-living environments in a contemporary setting.
The exhibit will run from May 8 through January 4, 2009. The home was conceived by Michelle Kaufmann Designs. The garden will be planted and maintained by Master Gardeners. Master Gardeners will also be on-site throughout the growing season to answer questions.
Photo: Museum of Science and Industry
Posted by Nancy Kreith at 1:27 PM | Permalink |
January 8, 2008
Fiskars Tools Project Orange Thumb Grants
Started in 2003, Project Orange Thumb is a grant program that provides community garden groups with the tools and materials they need to reach their goals for neighborhood beautification and horticulture education.
During our inaugural year, we partnered with the Chicago Park District and the Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance to provide tools, materials and support to three community gardens in Chicago.
Marking our 5th successful year in 2007, Project Orange Thumbs has provided over 100 community groups with over $200,000 to create and develop their own special community gardens. These included projects geared toward community involvement, neighborhood beautification, sustainable agriculture and/or horticultural education.
Community garden groups, as well as schools, youth groups, community centers, camps, clubs, treatment facilities, etc. are encouraged to apply.
Grant recipients receive:
- Up to $1,500.00 in Fiskar's Garden Tools
- Project Orange Thumb t-Shirts for garden members/volunteers
- Up to $800.00 for other materials such as plants, seeds, mulch, etc.
If you have any questions about this program, please contact us here:
orangethumb@fiskars.com or call 800-500-4849.
Posted by Nancy Kreith at 2:01 PM | Permalink |
January 7, 2008
Building Locally Based Food Systems Workshop
If you are interested in expanding local foods work in your Unit, plan to attend Strategies for Building Locally Based Food Systems in Illinois Communities
A one-day workshop for Extension Educators and County Directors, elected and appointed officials, agency staff and economic development directors . . . and anyone interested in strengthening their community and its economy by creating a vibrant local food system.
You have a choice of TWO dates at TWO locations for this one-day workshop: February 11th, 2008 Starved Rock Lodge State Park, Utica Illinois or February 13th, 2008, University of Illinois Springfield, Illinois
There is growing interest in community or locally based food systems among a variety of key players in the food system (producers, consumers, non-profit organizations). Farmers' markets are on the rise and many consumers want to know where their food comes from. This workshop will introduce a newly developed resource guide on building local food systems for both rural and urban communities. This "how to" process outlines, step by step, how to encourage a local food system and provides Illinois examples of success.
Participants will learn to: 1) Assess the state of the food system in their region, 2) Access existing knowledge about local food system activities and initiatives in Illinois, 3) Identify activities and projects that can help communities get started in building a locally based food system, and 4) Explore roles for Extension and key stakeholders in the food system.
For non-Extension participants, the cost is $30 per person and covers lunch (featuring local food), snacks and beverages and a copy of the Resource Guide, "Beyond the Farmers' Market: Planning for Local Food Systems."
To register: Deadline to register is FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 2008. For more information or to register non-Extension participants, contact: Leslie Cooperband, lcooperb@uiuc.edu or 217-244-2743 or call Dee (Laboratory for Community and Economic Development staff) at 217.244.0120.
Posted by Nancy Kreith at 7:32 PM | Permalink |
January 7, 2008
Southsider Chosen Community Gardener of the Year
Chicago community gardeners and members of organizations that support them gathered Saturday, November 10 to honor Enrique Gonzalez of Hoxie Prairie Garden, this year's GreenNet Chicago Community Gardener of the Year.
Enrique not only worked tirelessly in the garden but is recruiting and organizing a new generation of gardeners to ensure the strength of the garden for years to come. These young people include his niece, Christina, who has taken on a corner of her own to help beautify her neighborhood. Enrique also works alongside a group of very dedicated and active gardeners in the Hoxie garden which includes Trino Pimentel, Roberto Reyes, Abundio Echeverria, Manuel Garcia, Mickey Roberts and Nicolas Aguado. This year's improvements included a flagstone walkway, a pavilion over a brick barbecue and countless horticultural additions.
Presenting the award was GreenNet, a coalition of organizations supporting Chicago greening, especially community gardening. The award ceremony took place at their annual Community Gardener Harvest Potluck at the Garfield Park Conservatory.
Other gardeners honored included Sammie L. Taylor of the Fulton Street Flower & Vegetable Garden, Mary Kay Freese of the Drake Community Garden, and graduates of Openland's BUGS (Building Urban Gardens) program.
Nomination forms for 2008's community gardener of the year are available on GreenNet's website at http://www.greennetchicago.org/, along with a map of community gardens for folks who would like to get involved.
If you would like more information about GreenNet or the Community Gardener of the Year, please email Julie Samuels at JSamuels@openlands.org.
Contact:
Meredith Sessions
Email: msessions@wrdenvironmental.com
Nancy Kreith
Extension Program Coordinator
University of Illinois Extension
Posted by Nancy Kreith at 7:25 PM | Permalink |
