The Stand
Working to cultivate food justice and community development through urban agriculture, Syracuse Grows, a grassroots coalition, will celebrate six years of advocacy, programming and education through community gardening at its annual meeting set for Feb. 11.
This meeting provides the opportunity for Syracuse Grows to report on its accomplishments in 2013 and to discuss plans for the 2014 gardening season. Their vision of food justice is of a city where everyone has access to healthy, safe, affordable, quality and culturally appropriate food.
The group’s fifth annual meeting will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 11, at the Bob Cecile Community Center, 174 W. Seneca Turnpike. Community gardeners in attendance will have the chance to network, as well as learn about the many resources available to support their efforts.
In 2013, Syracuse Grows enjoyed its sixth year working with community partners to support community gardening in Syracuse. During this time, Syracuse Grows continued to develop the organization, programs and resources that have helped expand the network of community gardens and urban agriculture in the city. In addition to signature programs such as the Annual Spring Resource Drive and the Fall Harvest Dinner, Syracuse Grows spent 2013 focusing on new gardens and new partnerships: helping to establish the New Roots Community Garden on the Northside of Syracuse and working with community partners to establish the Salt City Harvest Farm, a 6-acre farm on the outskirts of Syracuse.
At the annual meeting, Syracuse Grows will announce its 2014 fundraising campaign. The guest presenter of the evening will be renowned mushroom expert and cultivator, Owen Tallman.
Tallman will discuss mushroom biology and cultivation, and share how to begin growing native gourmet and medicinal mushrooms — both indoors and out. He is the owner of The Imaginary Farmer of Hamilton, NY, a supplier of mushroom spawn, kits and growing supplies. Unlike conventional growing kits, Tallman’s allows gardeners to experience the entire process: from preparing the mushroom substrate, inoculating and incubating it, to eventually bringing it to fruition. His innovative mushroom growing kits will be available for purchase at the evening’s event.
Many city agencies, businesses, organizations and individuals provide support for community gardening in Syracuse. “The Annual Meeting provides an important opportunity to connect with community gardeners and supporters throughout Syracuse,” explains Syracuse Grows Board Chair Sarah Brown. “We want to ensure community gardens have the resources they need, and the annual meeting helps to facilitate communication between gardeners, interested community members and Syracuse Grows.”
Check the Syracuse Grows website for more information.
