Community Building

Today I was in the garden at LaSalle Square and a few ladies were walking through with their dog. They told how cool the bee hives were, and that they lived close and noticed more bees in their flower garden. They headed on their way along the fence where we have the garden to market private plots, and I hear Kevin say to them " would you like some fresh vegetables today" I see this type of kindness in the garden everyday, and it touches me every time. I know there are meeting and committees meeting all the time trying to capture what makes a city a friendly place. Well that's all good , but I know what works I see it everyday. This is how we build community one gardener at a time !

National Food Day

Dear Local Food Friends,

National Food day 2012; October 24th! this year I am representing our region as National Food Day Coordinator. It is my duty to help promote and communicate the wealth of food activities and celebrations we may have in our community throughout that week!

Thyme of Grace Spread at Taste of Unity

We already have a strong network of food advocates; from those interested in food security, organics, sustainability, locally grown, and food justice, we have a plethora of expertise and passion! Now is the time to show the nation what we are growing here! Please forward this email to all those in our community that may wish to be involved.
As coordinator I am happy to help connect, collaborate, and promote your events! Unity Gardens is once again hosting our Taste of Unity Harvest Celebration on Oct 24th at the Jewish Federation from 4pm to 8pm, celebrating local chefs and local food. There are ways each of you can be involved with that, but we would also love to promote related activities and events all week! Please share your ideas, plans, and questions with me so I can facilitate our successes!

Joel Barrett Serves up Butternut Squash Shooters

You may also scan for ideas and peruse resources directly through the Food Day website here: www.foodday.org ;

To list your Food Day Event Contact Sara
growunitygardens@yahoo.com
574-315-4361

See Local Food Day Events Below

Oct 24th 4pm to 8pm
Taste of Unity Harvest Celebration

Luau / Blood Drive



Jim and Cara Master Chefs



Party in the Blood Mobile

Luau at LaSalle Square was Saturday and the turnout was great despite the heat . More impressive was the turnout for the blood drive we held in conjunction with the Luau. . The turnout was so good they had to call in back-up to help out . A special thanks to Denise Del Gianni for have the idea to do a blood drive its sure to be a annual event for us.

The Unity Gardens LaSalle Square Luau

 Get ready for the 3rd annual LaSalle Square Luau this Saturday 11am to 2pm at 3701 Prast Blvd! Cook out, activities for adults and kids, cooking demos, tasting tours of the garden and new educational area, and Peace Bees activities! 

 

Join us in the garden to celebrate the height of our growing season!  We gather in the garden at the Luau to celebrate food and fellowship!    Unity Gardens is known for successfully bringing diverse people together in our community for shared benefit.  Meet our team of volunteers, garden leaders, and guests.  Help us continue to grow by attending our fund raising cook out.

  Portabella sandwiches and burgers!

 

Supporting Unity Gardens and saving lives! We only need 8 more people!   Pre-register for the blood drive here http://bit.ly/UNITYGARDEN       Enjoy the cook outs and activities!

 

Cook out meal includes your choice of a hamburger or our famous portabella sandwich, a side and beverage.  Only $10.00

 

"The Shirt", our new 2012 Unity Gardens T-shirt will be on sale also!

For more information call 574 315-4361 or e-mail Growunitygardens@yahoo.com

Things We Talk About in the Garden

As I was speaking with a woman out at the LaSalle Square Unity Garden last week I realized again its more than vegetables we grow here. This woman lives in Kalamazoo and comes by the garden when she is in town visiting her mother. I sometimes refer to her as the lady who lost her cell phone in the garden. ( we never have found it )
   As often happens the subject of Varmints in the garden comes up . Deer , Rabbits , Ground Hogs , Raccoons , Skunks and more . Well she tells me that she saves her urine all winter to put around her raised beds to keep the animals at bay . Now while some may think this is funny its the case with all us crazy gardeners save the garden at all cost . I find myself pouring cat poop and urine down the groundhogs hole . Many home remedies include Fox Urine , Dog hair , old shiny CD's hug in the garden, hot Pepper mix sprayed on plants . All of these things work to some degree if you want to avoid the trapping and killing of an animal in the garden which nobody wants to do. Of course this is where I insert a thought. If you plan on trapping an animal and relocating it ...Don't ! its not a good idea to move your problem to some other farm or garden.
   Yes this seems to be the year for animals in the garden , and weeds. Just don't let it make you crazy !! Enjoy your garden, and share a little with the critters.