The Week of May 14th, 2012 Read/Post Comments

Brought to you by Earthworks Urban Farm,
a program of the Capuchin Soup Kitchen

Peace everyone,

It’s time for the weekly reflection:

On May 14th, 2012, HBO Documentary Films will explore the obesity epidemic in America in a film series called The Weight of the Nation. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, obesity rates doubled for adults and tripled for children in the last 30 years. The U.S. is producing a generation of children that may not outlive their parents.

What can we do to help prevent childhood obesity?

For more info, visit: http://hbo.com/theweightofthenation.

Please send your thoughts to earthworks@cskdetroit.org. We want to hear from you!

Remember to also:
1. Follow us on twitter! Our twitter handle is @EarthworksDet.
2. Keep up with us on Facebook found here http://on.fb.me/earthworksurbanfarm

See you soon!

I. Volunteer Opportunities for the week of 5/14//2012:
Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays, 9am-12:30pm; Regular Volunteer Hours: Join us after volunteering for lunch in the soup kitchen during the week.

All volunteers, please meet at Capuchin Soup Kitchen at 1264 Meldrum, Detroit, MI unless noted differently. For individual volunteers, feel free to just come on by. No need to RSVP. For groups, please contact us in advance to schedule a day. Please come dressed appropriately for the weather and work. Long pants and closed toe shoes are required.

For info, please contact us at sbernardo@cskdetroit.org or call (313) 579-2100 x 204.

II. Community Announcements:
1. Farms of Detroit Tour & Movie Screening with Sepp Holzer
Feedom Freedom 866 Manistique St. Detroit, MI
Tuesday, May 15th, 2012
9:15am
Free and open to the public

Join internationally renowned permaculture farmer, author and educator Sepp Holzer for a free day of Detroit farm tours, a movie screening, and public Q and A. At @ 9:15am, we will tour Feedom Freedom, talk with the farmers and get Sepp's thoughts and advice on Permaculture applications for each of the 5 sites we will be visiting.

After Feedom Freedom, the tour schedule is:
10:30am - Growing Joy Community Garden - 8083 Mt. Olivet
12:00pm - Highland Park - 116 Candler, off Woodward
1:30pm - D-Town Farms - 14027 West Outer Drive
3:00pm - Brother Nature - 2913 Rosa Parks BLVD.
4:30pm to 7:00pm - There will be a dinner break after the farm tours.

At 7:30PM we will regroup at The Universalist Unitarian Church - 4605 Cass Avenue, for a free public movie screening of Sepp's film "Farming with Nature". Please arrive early at the church so we can begin promptly at 7:30. Following the movie, there will be a Q&A session with Sepp, where participants will be able to ask their most burning permaculture questions to the Rebel Farmer himself!!!

2. Potluck Dinner Real Communities and The Boggs Center
The Boggs Center 3061 Field St., Detroit, MI 48214
Tuesday, May 15th, 2012
6pm

Real Communities in a statewide initiative that currently supports 7 organizing projects in the state of Georgia. Our work seeks to intentionally connect folks with developmental disabilities to their larger communities through community organizing efforts that engage and benefit the entire community and offer roles to folks with disabilities as leaders and contributors to the work. The delegation traveling to Detroit will include members of the Forsyth Farmers’ Market in Savannah, GA and the Global Growers Network Community Garden in Clarkston, GA. Both groups are using food justice and food access work as their point of engagement. We seek to learn from folks doing innovative organizing work in Detroit, with specific interest in food justice and youth engagement. More information is available at http://www.gcdd.org/real-communities.html You can view a short video on the Forsyth Farmers’ Market at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5iHiYB4H7U.

3. Vacant Property Coalition Meeting
Gleaners Community Food Bank 2131 Beaufait, Detroit, MI 48207
Tuesday, May 15th, 2012
6-8PM

When owners acquire properties through the Wayne County tax auction and are subsequently unable to properly maintain them, the properties can become magnets for blight and nuisance behavior, and affect neighborhood property values. This meeting will focus on prevention methods, in addition to outreach and advocacy tools that residents and community groups can employ in maintaining neighborhood stability.

* For reference regarding Wayne County’s tax foreclosure and land disposition procedures, please see “From Revenue to Reuse: Managing Tax-Reverted Properties in Detroit” at http://bit.ly/ManagingTaxRevertedPropertiesinDetroit

If you have any questions about the context of this meeting please contact: Janai Gilmore, Education and Outreach Program Associate (313) 969-7156 or jgilmore@mi-community.org

4. A Glimpse of Detroit’s Black History
Virgil H. Carr Center for Cultural Arts 311 W. Grand River Ave., Detroit, MI 48226
Wednesday, May 16th, 2012
10am - 4pm

Through this program, participants will increase their awareness of discrimination and civil rights issues during the Motown era and significant contributions of Detroit’s
African American community. Participants will visit urban renewal sites and landmarks, while addressing current and future plans for urban renewal.

For more info, contact Linda Yellin, LMSW at info@feetonthestreettours.com or at (248) 353-8687. Feet on the Street Tours 440 Burroughs #57, Detroit, MI 48202.

5. Garden Resource Program Hot Crop Transplant Distributions
Earthworks Urban Farm 1264 Meldrum Detroit, MI 48207
Thursday, May 16th, 5pm - 7pm
Saturday, May 19th, 1pm - 3pm

Garden Resource Program participants can pick up hot weather transplants. These transplants started in the greenhouse will be ready to go in the ground! If you missed seed pick up or are new to the GRP, you will be able to pick up seeds this day as well. Feel free to mail your application in or bring it with you to the distribution. Please bring a box with you to the distribution. Start planning your garden with the Garden Resource Program 2012 Seed and Plant Varieties.

Please contact Tee Rushdan if you have any questions at (313) 285-2300.

6. Volunteers Needed to Assist Center for Restorative Justice and Peacemaking
Thursday, May 17th, 5pm - 8pm
Tuesday, May 22nd, 5pm - 8pm
Wednesday, May 30th, 5pm - 8pm
Saturday, June 2nd, 11am - 2pm
Sunday, June 3rd, 2pm - 5pm

A Center for Restorative Justice and Peacemaking is in the works in the Corktown community here in Detroit. We need your help to canvass the neighborhood and figure out what people need in the center! The concept for a Center in Corktown has grown out of over a year of restorative justice dialogue that has been happening in Corktown in response to violence in the community. For more information about this work, read here: http://stpetersdetroit.com/ministries/restorative-justice-group/

We need lots of people to canvas! Please email detroitrestorativejustice@gmail.com.

7. UDM Law Hosts Urban Farming Symposium
UDM Law Riverfront Campus 651 East Jefferson Ave., Detroit, MI
Friday, May 18th, 2012
8am - 12pm
$40 admission and $10 for a guided walking tour of Detroit’s Eastern Market

The symposium is a discussion and examination of key urban issues, which must include urban agriculture and the re-purposing of Detroit. The event is open to the public but will be directed toward the legal community and planning organizations. It is intended to establish a reasoned framework for discussions about the legal and policy issues that should be considered by local units of government and citizens grappling with this dynamic concept.

For additional information or to register for the May 18th Urban Farming Symposium, please see: www.law.udmercy.edu. Space is limited and reservations are required.

Contact: Denise P. Hickey, Assistant Dean of Alumni Relations
Phone: (313) 596-0202
E-mail: hickeydp@udmercy.edu

8. Order Your Fresh Food Share Box!

The Fresh Food Share Program (FFS) is a community-based food distribution system serving Detroit, Hamtramck and Highland Park. Fresh food is bought at wholesale prices from local farmers (including Detroit farmers). The fresh produce is packed into individual boxes by volunteers and then delivered to customers, who pre-ordered a box of produce at their local site. The boxes contain a nutritious variety of fruits and vegetables and a monthly newsletter with recipes and nutrition information. Boxes are be pre-ordered and delivered based on the current monthly schedule.

Box contents change each month to reflect seasonality and the availability of Michigan produce. You can always count on staples like carrots, onions, potatoes, cooking greens and apples in the mixed boxes.

Large Mixed Box ($17 delivered)

28-33 lbs.
12-15 different items
3-4 fruit items
8-12 vegetable items
Perfect for families and vegetarians!

Small Mixed Box ($10 delivered)

18-23 lbs.
9-12 different items
2-3 fruit items
7-10 vegetable items
Great for one or two people!

Small fruit box ($10 delivered)

NEW!
10-14 lbs
4-6 different fruit items
Ideal for kids’ snacks

Order by May 18th. Boxes distributed May 25th. Prices guaranteed through June.
St. Charles Parish Coordinator is Brother Jerry Smith, (313) 579-2100 ext. 220.
www.freshfoodshare.org

9. Powering Up the Local Food System Summit
Focus:HOPE Conference Center 1400 Oakman Boulevard, Detroit, MI 48238
May 18th, 8am - 5pm
May 19th, 8am - 1pm
$5 - $35 sliding scale registration. Scholarships available.

Keynote Address: Saru Jayaraman, Co-Founder and Co-Director, Restaurant Opportunities Center United

Join Us for the Conversations. Sessions include:

Grocery Store Forum
Food and the Economy
Urban Agriculture Policy Bootcamp
School Food
Food Systems 101
Youth and Food Sessions
And of course, Great Local Food!

Register online at: www.detroitfoodpolicycouncil.net. For info, call (313) 833-0396.

10. 2012 Golightly AgriScience Program Plant Sale
Belle Isle Greenhouses, Detroit, MI
May 19th, 9am - 3pm
May 20th, 12pm - 3pm

Perennials, annuals, herbs, heirloom tomatoes, organically grown vegetable transplants, geraniums, hanging baskets are available for sale. Plant sale volunteers receive discounts on purchases. Proceeds to benefit the GoLightly Career and Technical Center Agriscience Program. For more info, call (313) 378-3841 or (313) 331-7760.

11. Belle Isle Conservancy Stewardship Days 2012
Belle Isle Nature Zoo
Saturday, May 19th, 2012 (Every 3rd Saturday)
9am - 12pm

Belle Isle Conservancy’s Environmental Stewardship Committee needs your help removing invasive plants in the park’s old growth forest. ALL ARE WELCOME! Please RSVP to Mebby Pearson before each event so there will be enough bagels & coffee on hand: 248-647-7841 or cell 248-376-8220, by email: Melvadean.Pearson@gmail.com

12. Soil Blocking Class
Detroit Farm and Garden 1759 20th St., Detroit, MI 48216
Sunday, May 20th, 2012
1pm - 3pm
FREE

Want to get rid of all those pesky pots cluttering your back porch?
Want to reduce your carbon footprint with all the plastic you use growing transplants?
Want healthy transplants which establish themselves quicker and grow faster?
Want to be the envy of your friends and neighbors with the best looking transplants on the block?

Soil blocks might be what you are looking for! If you can make a mudpie, you can make soil blocks. It's fun and easy! Class taught by Patrick Crouch from Earthworks Urban Farm.

It's a great time to start thinking about soil blocking for your fall plants. Need a soil block maker? Call and order yours through DFG! Call us at: (313) 655-2344.

13. 2012 Monday community Movie Night Series: King Corn
MSU Detroit Center, 3408 Woodward Ave., Detroit, MI
Monday, May 21st, 2012
6:30pm - 8:30pm

Ian Cheney and Curt Ellis move to the heartland to learn where their food comes from. With the help of friendly neighbors, genetically modified seeds, and powerful herbicides, they plant and grow a bumper crop of America's most productive, most subsidized grain on one acre of Iowa soil. But when they try to follow
their pile of corn into the food system, what they find raises troubling questions about how we eat and how we farm.

Parking is available on Woodward and in the lot off Erskine St.

14. The White House Young America Series
UDM McNichols Campus, Student Center, Fountain Lounge
Tuesday, May 22nd, 2012
9am - 1pm

The U.S. Department of Education is partnering with the White House to implement a series of “State of Young America” town halls across the country. Please join us on May 22nd at the University of Detroit Mercy.

The focus is to create a summit of America’s most innovative, entrepreneurial, inspiring young people addressing the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century. This conference, hosted by the White House, will convene key community leaders that are shaping a vision of change locally, nationally, and globally.

We are seeking a network of Young Americans who are passionate about finding solutions to issues in their communities and abroad. If you or someone you know are interested in attending please pre-register at the website below. Space is limited. Please RSVP at http://www.udmercy.edu/institute/whitehouse/rsvp/index.htm by Tuesday, May 15, 2012.

III. Jobs, Grants and RFPs

1. Executive Director
Metropolitian Detroit Truth and Reconciliation Commission on Racial Inequality

2. Community Organizer
Warren Conner Development Corporation

3. CHIPRA Outreach Coordinator
American Indian Health and Family Services

4. Summer Internship
The Boggs Educational Center

5. 2012 Summer Internship
The Detroit Black Community Food Security Network

IV. Update from Patrick

I feel pretty satisfied with this week.

At Gleaners we were able to work on sifting a couple piles of compost. Still not quite done with those, we will finish them this week and then turn piles onto the vacated location. The crops we sowed the other week are up, spinach, chard, beets, and carrots. They will need a weeding soon. The potatoes are up, and look pretty good. We cultivated them this week along with all the kale, collards, cabbage and broccoli. The greens look really good. Just about ready to pick. Maybe this week, maybe wait a little longer. We still have some great looking greens in the hoop house, and its hard to think of pulling them up just yet. We also re-seeded the peas, I honestly don't have that high a hopes for them, but I'm still trying.

Saturday was the Mt. Elliott Business and Community Association's annual clean up, and we got into the act, adding some curb appeal to the Gleaners garden by cleaning up the flower beds and all the roses, elderberries and raspberries on the berm. While in the clean up mode we also worked on the end of the parking lot near the greenhouse, which has a habit of being a spot we neglect even though its one of the most visible location on the farm. Wednesday we are having our annual garden blessing by one of the Capuchin Friars, and one of the kindest human beings i've ever met, Br. Bob. We hope you attend, it starts at 10am.

Stacey and I installed some new bee hives at our neighbor's Page Litho up on Vernor. Jeff from Page was kind enough to help us with the spot, and seemed really excited about the bees. I have a feeling we might be seeing Jeff in a bee suit before long, doing hive inspections with Stacey.

Wednesday we gave the hoop house some extra love and were able to cultivate, clean up, and prune tomatoes. This week I think it will be time to string tomato and cucumbers this week. We also weeded the fruit trees and gave them a top dressing of compost.

I want to get the rest of the fruit and asparagus with does of compost this week as well.

This week in addition is the hot crop distro, so many little plants will be leaving us.

I think that's enough for this week, until next week,

onward.

patrick