[Akroncooperative-news] News from American Community Gardening Association

Tue Mar 9 15:20:27 UTC 2010

Lawrence A. Parker
Executive Director
The Akron Cooperative
234-525-0543
http://www.akroncooperative.com/

Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail.

----- Forwarded Message ----
From: "Bobby Wilson, ACGA" <bobbyw at uga.edu>
To: akroncooperative at yahoo.com
Sent: Mon, March 1, 2010 5:04:55 PM
Subject: News from American Community Gardening Association

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News from the 
American Community 
Gardening Association  

March  2010

1777 East Broad Street
Columbus, OH 43203
(877) ASK-ACGA
www.communitygarden.org 
ACGA thanks

and our Sustaining Members:

Eileen Duncan
Elizabeth Johnson

2010 Board of Directors 

Executive Committee:
Bobby L. Wilson, President
Bill Maynard, Vice President
Betsy Johnson, Treasurer

Anne Boninsegna
Kirsten Conrad Buhls
Kristin Faurest
Maree Gaetani
Patricia James
David King
Susan Leibrock
Zazel Loven
Charlie Monroe
Kjeld Petersen
Brigida Soulliard
Edie Stone
Cathy Walker

Welcome to new Board Members

Thanks to all who participated in the recent Board election.  The following will be joining the ACGA Board in 2010:

Kirsten Conrad Buhls Arlington, VA
Patricia James Philadelphia, PA
Charlie Monroe
 Lithonia, GA
Kjeld Petersen
 Memphis, TN
Gigi Soulliard 
Fort G Meade, MD
Edie Stone
New York, NY

Many thanks to departing board members: 
Gwenne Hayes-Stewart
Laura Lavid
Brent McHenry
Nancy Parachini

Quick LinksACGA HOME
TELECONFERENCES
GARDEN MOSAICS

  In This Issue 
Teleconference Workshop 
From the President 
Save the Date 
Growing Communities Workshops 
National Healthy Cooking Contest 
H.R. 3225 Support Needed 
Upcoming Events 
Funds for Community Gardens 

TELECONFERENCE 
FOR ACGA MEMBERS

To become an ACGA member,  click here.     

********
   Join us for: 
 Community Food Banks

March 17, 2010
4 PM EST, 3 PM CST, 2 PM MST, 1 PM PST

Guest speaker:  Fred Conrad of the Atlanta Community Food Bank

Fred and his volunteers currently support roughly 150 neighborhood community food gardens across metro Atlanta. In addition to bringing neighbors together to grow their own food, many of these gardens include therapeutic, philanthropic and educational elements. 

Please register by March 10, 2010.

Email the following information to share with other participants to info at communitygarden.orgor call 877-275-2242. Please put TELECONFERENCEin the subject line. Any missing information will delay processing time and delay your registration:
-ACGA membership number:
-Name:
-Organization:
-City:
-Email:
-Description of your garden/program (25 words or less): 

Please register at least 1 week prior to the teleconference to allow for processing. Those who register will receive a reply email from ACGA with the telephone number and access code you will need to use to enter the call.  Conference calls typically last 60-90 minutes and involve a portion of time for questions and answers from the guest speaker and the audience.  

ACGA Teleconferences are recorded and are available for download from the ACGA website: ACCESS PREVIOUS WORKSHOPS

  From the President
Educate. Expand. Endure

EDUCATE.

As a gardening and greening organization, we see that our telephones have been ringing off the hook!  Our citizens want information that will help them become better stewards of the earth around them. They want to cultivate their land, eat healthier and lower their food bills, which are all win-win situations for everyone involved. We realize that our callers need educational services that go far beyond our current budgetary reach. For those in control of our federal, state and local greening and gardening dollars, the positive outcome of providing funds for the purpose of educating our residents and our community, would be priceless.

EXPAND.

In an effort to serve more of our entire community, we require more local programs that directly speak to the constituents' needs of healthier food choices. Communities that are typically underserved are always hardest hit by budget cuts and typically do not have the appropriate food options that serve as 'healthy', 'green' or 'nutritious'. Other growing areas of concern are the homeless and those in treatment centers. Our program needs to expand to include those populations as well. And yet another group that is growing rapidly are those who want to get back in touch with Mother Earth by cleaning up vacant lots and creating gardens for growing their own vegetables right in their own communities.

ENDURE.

During these difficult economic times, there are numerous non-profit organizations struggling to keep their doors open. I want our friends and our membership to know that your President and Board are definitely up to the task to take our organization through these perilous times.  In the words of Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. "I've been to the mountain top..., I've seen the promised land," and with your sustained support, I am prepared to lead the way to our mountain top destination.  

Come join us in Atlanta, Georgia, August 5-8, 2010 as we march towards The Promised Land for the 2010 
American Community Gardening Association's 
Annual Conference.

We can't wait to see you here!

SAVE THE DATE
ACGA'S  ANNUAL CONFERENCE
August 5-8, 2010

Atlanta, Georgia
 Holistic Approach to Building Sustainable and Healthy Communities, the
Choice is Yours 

Reserve a spot today at the early, early bird rate of $200 (member rate.)  Non-members: Join or add $50.  To register, click HERE and indicate that the payment is for 2010 conference registration or mail to ACGA's address listed below.

UPCOMING GROWING COMMUNITIES WORKSHOPS

Thanks to Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi Giving through Growing, ACGA is hosting new Growing Communities workshops:

   October 1-2, 2010 - Northern Virginia/Washington D.C. area

For more information on who to contact to register, contact the ACGA office  877-275-2242  or info at communitygarden.org

For more information about Growing Communities Workshops 
click here.  If your organization is interested in hosting a Growing Communities Workshop contact ACGA board member Betsy Johnson at 617-536-1711 or betsy at bgjohnson.com.

Cooking Up Change 
National Healthy  Cooking Contest

Healthy Schools Campaign and the National Farm to School Network challenge students to a national competition to design a healthy school lunch. Using only ingredients commonly available for food service, the mission is to create a healthy meal that includes a locally grown item, meets strict nutritional guidelines, and tastes great. Three teams of students from each division (high school and college) will be selected to receive an all-expenses paid trip to Taking Root, the National Farm to Cafeteria conference this May in Detroit, Michigan to compete in the finals. In the final round, each team will prepare their meal and serve to a panel of prestigious judges. The winning team will head home with a trophy and other fabulous prizes. We are thrilled to welcome Karen Duncan, wife of Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, and Christie Vilsack, wife of Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, as National Honorary Co-Chairs of Cooking up Change.
Submit recipes online by March 26, 2010.   For guidelines and information, visitwww.cookingupchange.org.

Real Food Is - National Video Contest
Students are challenged to define what real food means to them by creating a short video that completes the phrase "Real Food is..." Created by the National Farm to School Network and sponsored by the Lunch Box, this contest is open to K-12 and college students and runs until March 29, 2010. The winners will receive $1,000 and an all expenses paid trip to the conference to show their videos at the opening plenary.  More info is available at video.farmtoschool.org.

SUPPORT NEEDED: 
COMMUNITY GARDENS ACT

ACGA continues to advocate for additional federal support
for community gardening.  H.R.
3225, filed by Rep. Inslee of Washington State is titled Community Gardens Act
of 2009. Its purpose is to provide funds for community gardens, and other
purposes. Go to http://thomas.loc.gov and enter H.R. 3225 in the bill search for
the complete bill language and current list of co-sponsors. 

ASK YOUR
REPRESENTATIVE TO CO-SPONSOR THE BILL. (Simply go to https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml for an online form.)  If your Representative is already a
co-sponsor, send them a thank-you.

 Upcoming Events

March 6-7, 2010
Sustainable Living Conference  
University of North Carolina in Asheville
Farmers, gardeners, activists and consumers meet in workshops and conferences.
Visit http://www.organicgrowersschool.org.

March 18-19, 2010
Blue Grass Food Security Summit
Crestwood Christian Church
Lexington, Kentucky
Visit http://sustainlex.org/BluegrassFSSpurpose.html.

April 10-13, 2010
2010 National Planning Conference
New Orleans, Louisiana
The latest research, case studies, innovative ideas and b.
Visit http://www.planning.org.

April 23-27, 2010
Quillisascut Farm Homesteading Basics
Rice, Washington
Get started with growing and processing your own garden and raising small livestock with this workshop designed to give you hands on experience on a working farm.
Visit www.quillisascut.com.

May 17-19, 2010
Farm to Cafeteria Conference
Detroit, Michigan
Learn how you can start and scale up a program in your schools, hospitals, daycare centers, and other institutions in your community.
Visit www.farmtocafeteriaconference.org.

September 8-9, 2010
Growing Power's National-International 
Urban and Small Farm Conference
Milwuaukee, WI
Learn how to plan, develop and grown small farms in rural and urban areas.Visit growingpowerfarmconference.org for details.

Funds Available for Gardens 

FUNDRAISING WEBSITE
What: DonorsChoose.org
Who May Apply: Public school teachers post classroom project requests and interested individuals sign on as sponsors.
Amount: Sponsor may give any amount to a project.
Deadline: Ongoing
Contact: www.donorschoose.org

MARCH 2010 DEADLINE
For: National
What: Mantis Award
Who May Apply: Community, School, and youth garden programs
Amount: 25 Mantis tiller/cultivators
Deadline: Annual Application March 1
Contact: www.kidsgardening/org/grants/mantis

JUNE 2010 DEADLINE
For: National
What: Garden Crusader Awards from Gardener's Supply
Who May Apply: Individuals improving their communities through gardening
Amount: 21 Cash and gift certificate awards
Deadline: June 1st annual deadline
Contact: http://www.gardeners.com/Garden-Crusader-Awards

SEPTEMBER 2010 DEADLINE
For: National
What: Hooked on Hydroponics sponsored by The Grow Store and the Progressive Gardening Trade Association
Who May Apply: School garden programs
Amount: 36 Hydroponic systems valued up to $1,100
Deadline: Annual deadline Sept. 18th
Contact: http://www.kidsgardening.com/grants/HOH.asp

OCTOBER 2010 DEADLINE
For: National  
What: Healthy Sprout Awards
Who May Apply: School and Youth garden programs
Amount: 20 gift certificates to Garden Supply
                (Five for $500 and 15 for $200)
Deadline: October 15th annual deadline
Contact: Details, criteria and applications at gardeners.com/Crusader/Awards

OPEN DEADLINES
For: International
What:  Ambassadors of Caring Awards from Profiles in Caring
Who May Apply:  Small community-based nonprofit organizations
Amount:  $10,000 (appear on TV)
Deadline:  Open
Contact:  Profiles in Caring 1959 South 4130 West, Unit I, Salt Lake City, Utah 84104; (801) 972-9472 contact at profilesincaring.org; www.profilesincaring.com/ambassadors.asp 
Open-International
What: Groups that provide services to disadvantaged persons and work for meeting basic human needs.
Who may apply: NGO groups
Amount: $25-50,000
Deadline: Open
Contact: PWF, 1200 U Street N.W., Washington, D.C. 20009, 202-965-1800, 202-266-8851 fax, www.publicwelfare.org

For: National
What: America the Beautiful Fund
Who May Apply: Non-profit groups receive seed donations from major seed companies
Amount: Sets of 50 packets of vegetables, flowers and herbs are available for the cost of postage/handling.
Deadline:  Ongoing
Contact: http://www.america-the-beautiful.org/free_seeds/index.php

For: National
What: Pepsi Refresh Project grants
Who May Apply: Any citizen or group with an idea that has a positive impact on society
Amount: $5,000 to $250,000
Deadline: Ongoing
Contact: refresheverything.com

For: National
What: Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation
Who May Apply: Funding to 501(c) (3) tax-exempt nonprofit organizations
and public agencies in communities where Lowe's operates stores and
distribution centers.
Amount: $5,000 to $25,000 grants
Deadline: One grant can be submitted per year with no deadline
Contact: Visit Lowe's stores for an application or visit http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=frameSet&url=apps.bridgetree.com/funding/default.asp

For: National
What: Youth Garden Grants Program/ National Gardening Association and Home Depot
Who May Apply: Schools and community organizations with child-centered garden programs.
Amount:  $500 to $1,000
Deadline: Ongoing
Contact: http://www.kidsgardening.com/ygg.asp.

For: National
What: America the Beautiful Fund
Who May Apply: Community Groups
Amount: 100 to 1,000 Free Seed Packets
Deadline: Ongoing
Contact: http://www.america-the-beautiful.org/free_seeds/free_seeds_flyer_08.pdf

For: National
What:  Environmental Education and Seed Money Benefit Communities where they operate
Who May Apply:  501(c)(3) organizations
Amount: Not given
Deadline:  Open
Contact:  IPC 400 Atlantic Street, Stamford, Conn. 06921; (203) 541-8678; fax (203) 541-8309 http://www.internationalpaper.com/Our%20Company/IP%20Giving/A_IP%20Foundation/Application_Guidelines.html 
 For: National
What:  Donations of products
Who may apply:  501(c)(3) organizations
Amount:  Computers, software, office supplies, clothing and personal care products
Deadline:  Open
Contact:  GIKI, 333 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, VA  22314; (703)836-2121; fx (703)549-1481; feedback at giftsinkind.org; www.giftsinkind.org

For: National
What:  Improve quality of life children/families
Who May Apply:  Nonprofit organizations
Amount:  not given
Deadline:  Open
Contact:  Knight Foundation Wachovia Financial Center, Suite 3300, 200 South Biscayne Boulevard, Miami, Fla. 33131; (305) 908-2600 www.knightfdn.org 

For: National
What:  Grass-roots organizations; Hunger relief
Who May Apply:  501(c)(3) organizations
Amount:  Up to $50,000
Deadline:  Open
Contact:  Janet Ausdenmoore, KCF 1014 Vine Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202; (513) 762-4999, ext. 3; fax (513) 762-1295 
www.kroger.com/corpnewsinfo_charitablegiving_art3.htm 

For: National 
What:  Strengthen non-profit environmental organizations in areas of fund raising, organizational development and planning.
Who may apply:  regional, statewide, or local nonprofit organizations serving low-income or minority constituencies with environmental issues as significant part of organization's agenda
Amount:  No amount shown
Deadline:  Open
Contact:  ESC, 1500 Massachusetts Ave., N.W. Suite 25, Washington, D.C. 20005; (202) 331-9700; fax (202) 331-8592; general at envsc.org; www.envsc.org

For: National
What: Do Something grants are funds to promote youth activism. Do Something is a national nonprofit organization that inspires
young people to believe that change is possible, and trains, funds, and
mobilizes them to be leaders who measurably strengthen their
communities. 
Who May Apply: Available to U.S. and Canadian
citizens, age 25 or under, who want to create a community action
project, or further the success of an existing program. 
Amount: One grant of $500 will be awarded each month. 
Deadline: Applications are
accepted on a rolling basis and stay active for consideration for two
months after submission. 
Contact: Visit the Do Something website to create a
project posting and submit an online application: http://www.dosomething.org/grants

For: National/Central and Eastern Europe, Russia or South Africa
What:  Grants for civil society, environment, poverty and projects local to Flint Mich.
Who May Apply:  501(c)(3) organizations; International only from above countries with equivalent tax exempt status
Amount:  $15,000 to $250,000
Deadline:  Open - September 1 to December 31 will be considered for next calendar year
Contact:  CSMF, Mott Foundation Building, 503 South Saginaw Street, Suite 1200, Flint, Mich.  48502 (810)238-5651; fax (810)766-1753; info at mott.org; www.mott.org/grantseeker.aspx

For: Arkansas, Nevada, Oklahoma
What: Organizations that need resources for a capital project
Who may apply: 501©3 located or operate in above states
Amount: $50,000
Deadline: Open 
Contact: Reynolds Foundation, 1701 Village Center Circle, Las Vegas, NV 89134;  702-804-6000; www.dwreynolds.org

For: California
What:  Projects protecting & preserving ecosystems, plants, natural landscapes, wildlands and wildlife
Who May Apply:  501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4) w/budgets $100,000 or less
Amount:  $5,000
Deadline:  Open
Contact:  CWGF, The Presidio, P.O. Box 29903, San Francisco, CA  94129-0903; (415)561-6400; fax (415)561-6401; info at calwildlandsfund.org; www.calwildlandsfund.org

For: California, Florida, North Carolina
What: Grants for civic affairs, youth, education, social services
Who May Apply: 501(c)3 organizations in above states
Amount: $5,000 to $50,000
Deadline: Open - no deadline
Contact: Dunsbaugh-Dalton Foundation, 1533 Sunset Dr., Suite 150, Coral Gables, FL 33143, 305-668-4192, 305-668-4247 fax

For: Georgia
What:  Grants for promoting healthy lifestyles among youth
Who may apply:  neighborhood groups, nonprofit organizations in Atlanta metropolitan area
Amount:  $500 TO $3,000
Deadline:  Open
Contact:  Shawn Finnell, CFGA, 50 Hurt Plaza, Suite 449, Atlanta, GA  30303, 404 688-5525, fax 404 688-3060, sfinnell at atlcf.org, 
www.atlcf.org/GrantsScholarships/Grants/Resource-Center.aspx

For: Baltimore area
What:  Support community involvement/improve health and welfare of children and families
Who May Apply:  501(c)(3)organizations
Amount:  Not given
Deadline:  Open
Contact:  Dion Cartwright, BCF 2 East Read Street, Ninth Floor, Baltimore, Md. 21202; (410) 332-4171; fax (410) 837-4701 dcartwright at bcf.org; www.bcf.org/ourgrants/grantprograms.aspx 

For: Maryland
What: Non-profits in Maryland that provide direct services to poor people in Maryland
Who may apply: 501©3 groups
Amount: Up to $100,000 over two years
Deadline: Open
Contact: HJWF, 7 Park Center Court, Owings Mills, Md. 21117,  
410-654-8500, 410-654-4900 fax, www.hjweinbergfoundation.org

For: Boston, MA
What: Community-based organizations serving needy youths and families
Who May Apply: 501(c)3 organizations
Amount: Not shown
Deadline: Open 
Contact: Carol Fulp, John Hancock Financial Services, 601 Congress St., Boston, MA 2210, 617-663-4575, 617-663-4580 fax, cfulp at jhancock.com; www.johnhancock.com

For: Minn., Wisconsin, N. Dakota
What: 501©3 that are involved in the right to food, environmental rights, right to participate in cultural affairs of the community.
Who may apply: 501(c)3 in Minn., Wisc., N. Dakota
Amount: No amount shown
Deadline: Open
Contact: Bremer Foundation, 445 Minnisota St. Suite 2250, St. Paul, Mn 55101, 651-227-8036, 651-312-3665 fax, www.ottobremer.org

For: Oregon and Washington
What:  Serve disadvantaged youth, families, minorities, immigrants and refugees
Who May Apply:  501(c)3 Washington State or the greater Portland area, including Clackamas, Multnomah, and Washington Counties.
Amount:  No amount shown
Deadline:  Open
Contact:  BMGF P.O. Box 23350, Seattle, Wash. 98102 info at gatesfoundation.org ; www.gatesfoundation.org/grantseeker/Pages/funding-community-grants.aspx 

For: PA, NJ
What:  Community stabilization and revitalization
Who May Apply:  Non-profit Organizations in metro Philadelphia region
Amount:  Not given
Deadline:  Open
Contact:  WPF 2 Logan Square, 11th Floor, 100 North 18th Street, Philadelphia, Pa. 19103; (215) 988-1830; fax (215) 988-1823 
moreinfo at williampennfoundation.org; www.williampennfoundation.org

For: San Antonio, TX
What:  Community Garden Starter Grants
Who May Apply: Non-profit organizations
Amount: some funding and advice
Deadline: December 2010
Contact:  Green Spaces Alliance, P.O. Box 15677, San Antonio, TX 78212, 210-222-8430, www.greenspacesalliance.org 

Contact Information

 ACGA Staff:
Vicki Garrett, Project Coordinator, vgarrett at communitygarden.org 
ACGA Toll Free number: 877.ASK.ACGA (275.2242)   

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