Author: Danecha Goins

We have some great things that have been happening in the garden this year, and look forward to what 2016 has in store! Here’s a brief update:

• Workshops: This fall, we hosted a few workshops on a variety of topics, such as fermentation and growing mushrooms. We plan to continue with these next year, and hope to have Cleveland residents teach some of the things they know as it relates to food, nutrition, cooking, and all things in between!
• Garden Task Force: We are always looking for new members to join our garden task force. This is an opportunity for residents to have a voice and guide our mission and purpose. Sign-up for Garden Updates by here.
• Step Up: We plan on hiring a couple of Step Up interns for the 2016 growing and harvest season. They will a HUGE help in planting, watering, composting, and helping our veggies grow.
• Conservation Corps: The MN Pollution Control Agency has teamed up with the Conservation Corps to offer a great opportunity for our GreenCorps member to host a youth group in early summer. The application process has just begun, and if our site is chosen, they will make some infrastructure improvements to the garden.
• SeedMoney grant: The SeedMoney grant closed with $150 donated! Thank you to all of those who made a pledge! We will wait for further notice if we are among those that receive an additional amount to help us buy supplies.
• What’s the buzz: Bees are coming to the garden in 2016 thanks to Cleveland resident Frank! Someone representing CNA may soon be knocking on your door to tell you a little bit more about why bees and to get your approval.
• Door-to-Door: Also, going door-to-door will soon be a small group of people led by our GreenCorps member and Outreach specialist from Project Sweetie Pie. They are going to be spreading the word about the garden and other local food opportunities and asking you to get involved. If you want to help door knock, let us know!

We have big plans for the Cleveland Community Garden in 2016 and you can help us get there. Our Garden Task Force is raising funds for a SeedMoney Challenge Grant to cover the cost of tools for our community garden.  We only have 30 days to raise $400, and if we succeed, SeedMoney will match it! Here’s where you can donate and here is some more info about the garden project:

The Cleveland Neighborhood Community Garden opened in spring 2015 with the purpose of being a catalyst for economic development and community engagement in an area of the Twin Cities that has been recognized as a food desert.  We strive to achieve this goal by collaborating with local businesses, educational institutions, and youth organizations to offer hands-on education to help food insecure youth and families to better understand and provide access to food and nutrition and gain skills that empower them to be positive contributors to a healthier neighborhood.

Anyone is welcome to plant, cultivate, and harvest fresh, organic produce from the garden at no cost.  We only ask that they volunteer their time in the garden to help with maintenance and attend educational workshops when they are able.  Workshop curriculum has included composting, recycling, gardening basics, and health/nutrition.  We have a number of goals as we move into 2016.  We will continue growing food for residents residing in North Minneapolis and hope to create a surplus in which we are able to donate to local food shelves.  We have committed to be one of the principle sites for a newly formed composting cooperative.  This cooperative aims to educate local business in organics recycling and to provide employment opportunities.  Our garden is also a member of a group of local community gardens that is working in collaboration to obtain a green house.  The green house will be a site utilized for gardening and economic education, and projects to grow produce and create products in order to partner with local businesses and restaurants to create buy back produce.