Reflections from Nicole as another season winds down...

Every season is different, and perhaps this is what brings us back to year after year of gardening; each day is truly an adventure, and even more so when it's shared with friends new and old! And this year with the Elkhart Local Food Alliance has been no different. We've added new gardens and gardeners to our collective, worked with new kids in our 4-H programming, incoporated top bar beekeeping into our educational programming, and are beginning work on a new greenhouse project. Much more than vegetables are growing here, it seems! And perhaps best of all, our relationships with each other and the land on which we live here in Elkhart County, are also growing. I am continually delighted as I experience the delight of others when they are first introduced to a new plant, a new wild edible, a new taste in the garden - and this reminds me of what it's truly all about! We are becoming more connected - to each other, to the earth, to the subtle shifts in our local climate, to the turning of the seasons, to where our food comes from... and through all of this becoming more connected to ourselves!

August Updates and Photographs!

After another wonderful Summer of 4-H and much joy at the recent Elkhart County 4-H fair we are delighted to continue watching the bounty of our gardens grow, blossom and fruit! Here are some pictures from around the Jubilee Neighborhood Demonstration Garden.

Maddie Made Pickles from Cucumbers harvested at the Garden of Eden!

Bounty from the Garden of Eden!

Volunteer Cosmos!

We finally got the sign put up thanks to Volunteers from Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary's !Explore program!

The Three Sisters: Corn, Beans and Squash

A 4-Headed Sunflower

UPCOMING EVENTS!!! (Not to be missed....)

There are LOTS of amazing events happening in the next few weeks here in Elkhart! Don't miss out! 

1st: This Thursday for 4-H there is an Urban Wild Edibles Hike! Meet at Jubilee House at 4:30! This is a great opportunity to get to know the neighborhood and recognize sources of free food right where we live! 

2nd: ELFA Spring Kick-Off!!!! Meet at Jubilee House at 3 p.m. on SUNDAY (this Sunday) May 15th! We will travel by bike (so bring your bike, or if you are unable there will be vans) to 7 of the ELFA Gardens to install our new SIGNS (thanks to Sam Jerome!) and then meet back at the Roosevelt Center Park for a potluck! 

3rd: Rise up Farms is hosting a 5K on Saturday the 21st! It is sure to be a great time! 

Hawthorne Elementary School Garden Kick-Off!!!

 Hawthorne Garden!!

We've had an AMAZING time kicking off the Hawthorne Elementary School Garden Project. A great group of kids showed up, our beds are ready (manure all mixed in!) and we are excited to explore themes of Food Justice, Interconnectedness, Garden Literacy, and---a topic the kids are surprisingly interested in-Companion Planting! 

Last week we shaped up our beds to get them ready for planting, explored the world of Worms and Ducks and continued getting to know each other and build relationships. 

Any and All volunteers are welcome! Join us any Monday at 2:30 p.m. in the Courtyard of Hawthorne Elementary School!  

Meeting: 3:00 @ Jubiee House! Tuesday, April 19th.

South Side Clovers::: EVERY Thursday at 4:30!

  
Meeting TOMORROW!
3:00 at Jubilee House! Everyone Welcome! 
From Nicole: 
"dear gardening friends!

> just a reminder to you more regular attenders that we will have our ELFA
> meeting tomorrow at 3pm at jubilee house. please let me know either way if
> you're able to be there.
>
> a few items on the table:
> - updates from each garden coordinator
> - rhapsody in green tabling?
> - envirofest tabling?
> - spring kick-offs and garden signs
> - donation request updates
> - urban beekeeping in elkhart!!
> - other?
>
> hope to see you tomorrow!"

Fixing Bikes to Get Ready For Spring!

Jubilee Neighborhood Demonstration Garden

Garlic!!!

Compost...

Signs of Spring

Last week for 4-H we explored some of the budding signs of Spring in our neighborhood and in the Garden around Jubilee House!

Here are just a few of the beautiful reminders of Spring around Jubilee:::

Future Raspberries....Yum!

Volunteer Rhubarb :-)

The Plants in the Windows keep getting Bigger!

April Updates for Elkhart Local Food Alliance! Join in the Fun!

After yesterday's weather, who wouldn't be ready to get in the garden!??!  Luckily, there are many opportunities to get involved!

Donation Requests: 

we could use the following:

- tomato cages/stakes

- manure/organic matter

- potting soil

- tools

- seed-starting trays

- shelves and lights for starting seeds

- perennials (like strawberries, rhubarb, raspberries, asparagus, fruit trees, etc)

- irrigation equipment (rain barrels, hoses, drip lines, etc)

- flower bulbs

Upcoming Events:

4-H: Every Thursday!

Every Thursday, 4:30-6:00 at Jubilee House, 1320 Prairie Street, OR next door at Prairie Street Mennonite Church. Come join in a variety of educational programs ! All are welcome.

This week, we'll be continuing work on our new top bar bee hives!

 

Rise Up Farms Work Day

Join us this Sunday, April 17th, 1-4pm, for a work day on the farm.

 

Next ELFA Meeting

All are welcome to join our next ELFA meeting on Tuesday, April 19th, 3:00-5:30 at Jubilee House, 1320 Prairie Street. Come and participate in planning for this growing season and upcoming events!

 

Spring Garden Kick-off!

Join us for a bicycle tour of all eight of our gardens on Sunday afternoon, May 15th. We'll visit each garden, install our new garden signs, do some planting of warm-weather crops, share some food, and invite the press. Stay tuned for more details!

 

Rise up Farms 5K Fun Run/Walk

Register now for this 5k run/walk to benefit Rise Up Farms on Saturday, May 21st at 8:00am. The race will be followed with a picnic at the farm (fresh salad and veggies provided and grown on site!), and farm and barn tours. Prizes include a CSA share, or a facial. We'll also be selling tickets to raffle off a CSA share - and will draw the winner after the race!

 

Rise Up Farms Raffle Ticket Sales

Call to get your raffle tickets, and a chance to when a share in our CSA! Ticket prices as follows:

1 for $5

2 for $8

3 for $10

 

Local Maple Syrup for sale!

Rise Up Farms has a limited number of bottles left from this year's maple syrup season. Call ASAP to place your order!

 

Community Garden Plots!!We still have plots available at many of our 8 sites throughout the city. Please contact us if you are interested in having a plot for yourself or your family.

Community Supported Agriculture!!Rise Up Farms still has shares available for this year's CSA. Please be in touch if you are interested in purchasing one, or participating in our work share program (volunteering in exchange for a weekly box of vegetables).
--
Nicole Bauman

Doula, DONA trained

Neighborhood Food Coordinator
Elkhart Local Food Alliance
574-536-0225