Download - Adding Community Value to Gardens
Adding Community Value to Gardens
Beth HannaHava Blair
Nick Heckman
Welcome
• Introductions
• Group Goals
Tallgrass Prairie
Organic CSA Farm
Community Gardens
Kids’ Garden
Sugar Maple Woodland
Troy Gardens
Trainings
Evaluation
Resources
“It’s interesting, salsa has everything in it that I didn’t like, but I like it. I mean, it has onion,
tomatoes, peppers…but it tastes good!”
7
8
9
Yes, I would like to continue to garden. I would grow chives, my favorite, carrots, peas, raspberries, strawberries, sunflowers; I think I might get chickens too. Not blueberries, I only like those with ice cream.
-Marisol Llanos-Gomez, age 9
Riverview Gardens is a financiallyself-sustaining social enterprise,
primarily focused on job-training for people in
need, utilizing urban farming in a park
setting.
Providing purposeful, dignity-building activity
Making healthy food accessible
Working with schools to help at-risk youth develop productive work ethics
Change our community’s perceptions of people in need
Providing transitional employment as people prepare for permanent employment
Secondary Focal Points
Our community is faced with growing challenges:
The number of people receiving food share benefits has more than doubled in the last 5 years (LIFE)
The number of nonprofits has doubled since 2006 while available funding has remained stable (LIFE)
Unemployment was the most common primary reason for homelessness in 2008-2010 (LIFE)
The number of homeless individuals has risen by 48% since 2005 (LIFE)
Why Riverview Gardens?
Access to fresh local food is limited for low income people (RUDD Report)
Riverview Gardens addresses all of these needs
Developing Our Space
COMMUNITY CENTER Stone Cellar at
Riverview Gardens Community Events Cooking Classes Bread Share Educational
Workshops
URBAN FARMProduction areas… Hoop Houses Outdoor Gardens Food Forest
(fruit/nut trees) Aquaponics
Supplying produce for… Community
Supported Agriculture (CSA)
Restaurants Institutions Farm Markets
NATURAL PARK SPACE Native Prairie Picnic Areas Trails
o Running/Walkingo Mountain Bikingo X-Country Skiingo Snowshoeing
Open to the community for daytime use.
An Aerial View
ServiceWorks
ServiceWorks provides men and women in need or experiencing homelessness with transferable work skills. The program is designed to foster growth as a coworker, leader and community member through dedication to improvement in the following areas:
• Quality of Work• Efficient Use of Time• Relationships with Peers• Relationships with Leaders
ServiceWorks Progress(Year to Date)
# of
Par
ticip
ants
30 Hours Completed
60 Hours Completed
90 Hours Completed
Job Placement0
20406080
100120140160
141
116
25
7
ProgressUpdate(18 Months)
• Farmers bring an abundance of produce to farmers’ markets every summer
• Unsold produce can go to waste
• Connect local farmers with local food pantries by facilitating donations of fresh produce at the end of the farmer’s market
• Volunteers collect, box, and deliver produce to food pantry
Shared Harvest
• Individuals in need volunteer their time in return for a community supported agriculture (CSA) share.
• Requires the farmer to train and manage schedules
• With good training, WorkShare members contribute significantly to farm operations
WorkShare
Cooking Classes• Demonstrate how to use fresh, whole
produce to create delicious meals
• Outline process of meal planning and budgeting
• Opportunities to collaborate: UW Extension, local culinary & nutrition program students, local chefs
Neighborhood Market Initiative • Market stand on trailer can travel to any
neighborhood
• Identify neighborhoods will low access to fresh produce
• Park in any legal parking space
• No license required for selling fresh fruits and vegetables
• Identify leaders in each neighborhood to promote program
• Collaborate with local groups to make weekly markets a neighborhood event
Hunger Task Force Has a Farm
Hunger Task Force Has a Farm
• Milwaukee County Park System property
• Operated by Hunger Task Force under a 30–year lease with Milwaukee County
Hunger Task Force Farm & Fish Hatchery
Our Farm Feeds the Hungry Free of Charge!
Farm fresh produce is delivered free of charge to 81 pantries, soup kitchens and homeless shelters in Milwaukee County.
Our Farm Feeds the Hungry
25+ varieties of vegetables Provides reliable source of fresh
produce, including culturally appropriate food items
1 million lbs 2013
Farm Facts
4 Orchards
Farm Facts
Farm Facts
Farm Includes a Greenhouse
Fish Hatchery
The farm also includes a fish hatchery that is used to raise trout, sunfish, perch and bass . . .
for transplant into Milwaukee County Park ponds for recreational fishing.
Fish Hatchery Facts
• It provides a reliable source of high quality produce to feed hungry people in Milwaukee County.
Why does Hunger Task Force Operate the Farm?
…opportunities for youth and adult education.
Other Benefits of the Farm Include. . .
Nutrition Education
…opportunities for youth and adult education.
Other Benefits of the Farm Include. . .
The fish hatchery supports a recreational urban fishing experience.
Hunger Task Force Farm & Fish Hatchery
Conserves one of the last significant open areas in Milwaukee County, including a rare example of an Oak Savanna.
Hunger Task Force Farm & Fish Hatchery
www.hungertaskforce.org414-777-0483
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Discussion Groups
