2010 Accomplishments and Changes

Hello everyone,

I wanted to let you know that from here on out I will not be facilitating the Community Gardens Action Team anymore, and until future notice, the group will not continue with monthly meetings.

I'd like to take this time to reflect on some of the many great things the group accomplished in the last year:

• Designed, implemented and evaluated a Backyard Community Gardens Pilot Program with $0 budget
• Secured a proposal for a full-time summer LISC AmeriCorps member, who managed the Backyard Garden project, gave 4 educational presentations, conducted 7 container garden workshops, and organized 3 hands-on gardening trainings
• Created an extensive resource manual through resource mobilization and cataloging
• Assisted in designing, starting up, and conducting outreach for SCUFI - the Sustainable Commercial Urban Farm Incubator
• Inspired Monument children about gardening by teaching them how to make container gardens and giving away over 200 seedlings and 350 seed packets
• Held monthly CGNAT meetings with educational speakers
• Evaluated the feasibility of an Iron Horse Corridor Community Garden plot (at “buldge” by Mayette)
• Mary Lou Laubscher was chosen winner of a Diablo Magazine Threads of Hope Award for her exceptional volunteer work with the Community Gardens Action Team.
• Mary Lou Laubscher was a finalist for the Sustainable Contra Costa (SCOCO) Awards

Through these transitions, there are still many exciting things going on! If you are interested in staying/getting involved in Community Gardens, Urban Farming, and Healthy Eating and Active Living (HEAL) projects, you have a few options:

• Come to the upcoming HEAL meeting: Friday January 28th from 3-5pm at the Keller House (1760 Clayton Rd.) on. This is the best way to learn about current healthy eating/active living projects and discuss ways to get involved.
• If you are interested in Urban Farming opportunities for gaining training and making $$, contact Tess at the Chavez Center ASAP at 682-8248 ex.2180. Training is starting soon!!
• For any other questions or involvement opportunities, contact Monument Community Partnership at mcpinfo@monumentcommunity.org.

Thank you all again for all of your input, involvement, and expertise. It has been an amazing experience working on so many exciting projects with all of you. My email and cell phone will remain the same, so feel free to drop me a line to say hi if you would like to!

Thanks, and as always, happy gardening!
Jenna Carlsson