Egg | Plant Urban Farm Supply and We Can Grow

Bob Lies from Egg|Plant Urban Farm Supply in action 

We had a great food preservation class put on Bob Lies from Egg|Plant Urban Farm Supply in St. Paul. A little bit about Bob, raised locally in south Minneapolis, Bob moved to St. Paul when he decided to buy a home and raise his family. They have lived in the Hamline-Midway neighborhood for 16 years. Bob is a builder and a tinkerer and enjoys the work of gardening almost as much as the fruits of the labor. In addition to helping run Egg|Plant, Bob is a technical writer and a information systems analyst.

 A few weeks ago we contacted Bob about teaching our intro to food preservation class when we were in a pinch when the folks we originally had in mind couldn't help us out. Bob responded quickly, and together with Mike, We Can Grow's director, managed to put together a curriculum in under 10 days.

Bob sharing the spotlight with We Can Grow's Director, Mike Smieja

Bob was nothing less than a rock star when it came to the class. He brought lots of examples of the equipment necessary to preserve the harvest. We went over drying, canning, freezing, and fermentation briefly. The highlight of the night was the hands on preparation of the kimchi. Most people think kimchi is hard to make? Nope, Bob mad it simple and concise. All the participants loved the hands on work and went home with their very own jar.

Bob explains the art of making kimchi

One of the most important parts of the We Can Grow program is a commitment to building a better community. Bob basically dropped everything and made sure that this class came off without a hitch, he knows how important it is to build community around our food system  We are so very grateful to have had this experience with Bob and Egg|Plant. This was a great example of community building community. If you need information on anything related to urban food production please take time to support Egg|Plant Urban Farm Supply. Shop your dollars with businesses that support community. Please visit Egg|Plant”s store in St. Paul MAP and their WEBSITE. 

Cache Gardening - By Gallimaufree | Survival Spot

Cache gardening is a fusion between wildcrafting and deliberately naturalizing edible food plants in places to which you have access, or along routes you may take to bug out. Consider it enhanced wildcrafting, with the bonus that you know where edibles are because you seeded the area with the food plants. Because it doesn’t look like a traditional row garden, it becomes secret and hidden.

Read more....Cache Gardening - By Gallimaufree | Survival Spot

Four New Classes by We Can Grow and The Hack Factory

Four great classes at the Hack Factory with We Can Grow. The Hack Factory is a space for people to prototype, invent, share, learn, teach, and improve upon our community by empowering people. Together we are offering some classes at the Hack Factory. These are hands on classes so be prepared to get a little dusty.

Build Your Own Raised Bed Garden

After this class you will go home with raised bed garden built by your very own hands and the knowledge to use it. We use all natural cedar because it has such a resilience to the elements, lasts for years to come, and it smells great. Along with building your garden the instructor will present a basic small space gardening class. This class is for all skill levels.

You’ll be building a sub-irrigated raised bed garden. Sub-irrigation is a source of water stored below the soil. This is a great way to conserve water and shorten the amount of watering time you'll have to put in. Soil is not included.


You will have a couple options for soil. We will have bags of soil available for purchase. If you live in Minneapolis or St. Paul We Can Grow can deliver soil in a few weeks. Or you can provide you own.Whatever your choice, we can make arrangements the day of the class.

Cost $125
For more information or to register click HERE

Build Your Own Potato Tower

Wanna grow your own potatoes for the year, but don't have a lot of space? This class will provide the simple solution of a potato tower. Is a space as small as 3'x3' you can grow up to 60 pounds of potatoes.

At the end of this class you will own your very own potato tower built with your very own hands, and an understanding of how to be successful with it. We use all natural cedar because it has such a resilience to the elements, lasts for years to come, and it smells great. This class is for all skill levels. Soil is not included.

You will have a couple options for soil. We will have bags of soil available for purchase. If you live in Minneapolis or St. Paul We Can Grow can deliver soil in a few weeks. Or you can provide you own.Whatever your choice, we can make arrangements the day of the class.

Cost $125
For more information or to register click HERE

Build Your Own Backyard Compost Bin

Nothing aids in success in your gardening efforts more that great soil. We have a growing need to reduce the waste that is put into our landfills. We all moan and groan about bagging out leaves every fall. We have a solution that addresses all those problems, it’s simple, backyard composting.

After you complete this class you will have the knowledge to build and have built your very own backyard compost bin. We are using long lasting cedar and using a design that is easy yo use and produces great results quickly.

Cost $125
For more information or to register click HERE

 

Build Your Own Kitchen Window Herb Garden

Nothing is quite as rewarding as growing and using your very own herbs. In this class we use a simple, attractive design that is very low maintenance. We will be using cedar because it is attractive and lasts for a long time.

After completing this class you will have the knowledge and have built your very own complete kitchen window herb garden. We provide all the soil and plants you provide the love.

Cost $60

For more information or to register click HERE

About the instructor.

Mike Smieja is the Director of We Can Grow, a nonprofit that provides raised bed gardens to low income families in the Twin Cities. Last season Mike owned and operated Buchanan Street Farms, an urban farm in Northeast Minneapolis. Currently attending the University of Minnesota for Agriculture and Horticulture. Mike has been through the Master Gardener and Master Composter Recycler courses. Along with empowering others, Mike has a passion for food, rebuilding community, and environmental stewardship.

Special offer!

April 27-28 2013 Mike Smieja will be teaching four different projects at the Hack Factory, including raised bed garden building, potato tower building, compost bin building, and kitchen window herb garden building. Attend the whole series and receive the May Rain Barrel building class for free! ($75 value)

Scholarships

We Can Grow and the Hack Factory have partnered to provide a select amount of scholarships for low income families and individuals for each project. If you would like to apply for one please email the instructor Mike for more information HERE

Fresh & Local Podcast – Mike Smieja, We Can Grow

Fresh & Local Podcast – Mike Smieja, We Can Grow:

'via Blog this'

Time Banking comes to Northeast Minneapolis

  So, last night I attended the organizational meeting for the Northeast Time Bank. I was very excited about the idea of trading time rather than money with people in my neighborhood. There were about a dozen people there that were also very excited.

  So the concept is that everybody's hour is worth just as much as everybody else'. Hour for hour? No once you work for someone they register the hours that you gave and they go into a bank. Now you can use them with other people. You receive banked time when you go through the required orientation. You receive banked time for going to time bank events. We Can Grow can even participate in the program to give and get time for volunteers.

  I am looking forward to this getting off the ground and getting out there and earning some hours!

For more information visit the Northeast Timebank's Facebook page HERE

Spring 2013 Community Challenge

We Can Grow Challenges You to Make a Change in Your Community

We Can Grow's Spring 2013 Community Challenge

Happy Spring! We can feel it in the air . I know we are all getting very excited for the snow to be gone, kids playing in the yard, planting that early spinach and being able to put away the snow shovels. Spring is also a time to emerge from our winter caves and get outside more. Neighbors working in their yard, kids throwing the ball in the street, and everyone out for walks. Community, its all about community. Don't we all want a better community? It seems that we are growing further and further apart in our communities. Simply ask yourself, how many of my neighbors do I know on a first name basis? Of the ones I do, how many of them do I know where they work? Do I know their kids? What's their dogs name?




We can all change that. Take the We Can Grow Spring 2013 Community Challenge! It's really simple, get to know 5 of your neighbors and their families. If you already know 5, then get to know 5 more. When we say get to know them, we mean really get to know them. Not just their name and what they do. Find out how you can help them have a better life. See where you might be able to lend a hand with a project they have going on. Really get to know them and let them get to know you. At some point during this process tell them about the challenge, and challenge them to do the same,  and talk about meeting new families in your community. If we all took time to get to know 5 neighbors and challenged them to get to know 5 neighbors and they challenged them etc, we cold have a better  community in no time. 

Okay, are you ready? There is an optional form below. This is not required, but it would be cool to see if we all made a change or not, wouldn't it? It takes a community to build a community. 

March Maddness

Are you ready for the 2013 garden season? 

Classes 

We Can Grow still has lots of openings for for the 2013 season. We have 6 class sessions and lots of locations to choose from. More info....

Garden Options

We have lots of different garden options to choose from. Don't know how to garden? look at our complete garden packages that include classes. Have a garden, want to learn more? Check out our classes. Need a garden for the cabin? We got that! More info......

Lots of Events

There is so much going on around gardening and urban farming in the Twin Cities. Be sure to check our events calendar and check often. More info....

We Want to Do More, We Want to Do Better

We are committed to doing a better job building community. This is an ongoing goal for We Can Grow. But we need your help. Often we don't think of everything. We need your input and help in building a better community. We have created an Ideas and Suggestions page. Please tell us what you think and feel about what can be done to better our community. The only bad ideas or suggestions are the ones that are never shared. Ideas breed ideas, so the first one may not be the best, but the offspring can change lives. Tell us what you think. More info.....  

Hack Factory Visit

A few weeks back Mike and I made our way over to South Minneapolis' Hack Factory to see if we could make some raised bed gardens there. What we found thoroughly shocked and awed us both. 

Tools, machines and quirky projects littered the warehouse space where members had convened for their Wednesday evening open hours to chat and build some amazing stuff. We sat down with Dave the president of the organization, which by the way is 501(c)3 nonprofit cooperative, to discuss the logistics of making our gardens there. After a brief chat, we had hammered out a deal whereby We Can Grow will rent out space in the Hack Factory to make and store our 150 garden boxes free of cost.

 We had discovered that the intent and missions of our organizations fit together really well. We're both trying to make and provide the tools and services our communities can use to grow. We plan to teach raised-bed garden building classes, compost bin making classes, and basic gardening informational classes through the Hack Factory to further our community education effort. The Hack Factory already hosts tons classes and exhibitions where people can learn about all manner of DIY (do-it-yourself) projects ranging from work with metal, wood and fabric to bikes, electronics and guitars. 

This place really does it all. We are so excited to have teamed up with the Hack Factory to start doing goof work in our community and inciting positive change. We want to extend a gracious thank you to them for being so awesome and doing what they do. Hey look! They're even sponsoring Farm Hack this weekend.

 http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/160394655.html?refer=y

High Noon Highlights # 18

Midway Green Spirit Community Garden

About

Building Community through Gardening!

Description

Located in St. Paul, MN between Pierce Butler Route on the North, Taylor Street on the South, Hamline Avenue on the East and Albert Street on the West, Midway Green Spirit CG is a welcoming, verdant place with 40 individual garden plots, a Community Orchard, a Community Circle where all produce grown is donated to a local foodshelf, a beehive and a dedicated bunch of gardeners who use organic practices.

Contact info: 

 Find them on Facebook: Click Here

What are High Noon Highlights?

We believe it takes a community to build community. One way We Can Grow does this is with our new series High Noon Highlights. Everyday at 12:00pm we will highlight a new organization that we believe is trying to make the world a better place. We want to make this information easy for you to get so we'll post here on our blog, on our Facebook page, on our Google+ page and we'll send out a Tweet as well.


We believe that supporting other organizations and their efforts to make a change will help in the efforts in our community. So set your watches, phones and alarm clocks and keep checking in at noon everyday!

High Noon Highlights # 17

Second Harvest Heartland

About

Second Harvest Heartland works to reinvent hunger relief through leadership and innovation. $50 provides 180 meals.

Mission

Ending hunger through community partnerships.

Contact info:

Phone:(651) 484-5117
Check out their Website: Click Here
Find them on Facebook: Click Here

What are High Noon Highlights?

We believe it takes a community to build community. One way We Can Grow does this is with our new series High Noon Highlights. Everyday at 12:00pm we will highlight a new organization that we believe is trying to make the world a better place. We want to make this information easy for you to get so we'll post here on our blog, on our Facebook page, on our Google+ page and we'll send out a Tweet as well.


We believe that supporting other organizations and their efforts to make a change will help in the efforts in our community. So set your watches, phones and alarm clocks and keep checking in at noon everyday!

High Noon Highlitght #15

Join We Can Grow at the 9th Annual Community Garden Spring Resource Fair

It’s hard to believe it, but spring is just around the corner! Join Gardening Matters and gardeners from across the Twin Cities Saturday March 9, 2013 from Noon-5:00pm at Metropolitan State University in St. Paul for the 9th Annual Community Garden Spring Resource Fair. LaDonna Redmond, Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, will kick off the day with the keynote address: "Reconstructing Our Relationship with Land,” with a local panel to follow. Be a part of the Good Food Movement conversation and get connected to the resources to make this year’s growing season a success! $10 suggested donation. Find the complete schedule  www.gardeningmatters.org.

Pre-register at: http://www.gardeningmatters.org/civicrm/event/register?reset=1&id=62

When: 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Where: Metropolitan State University 700 E 7th St, St Paul, MN VIEW MAP 

What are High Noon Highlights?

We believe it takes a community to build community. One way We Can Grow does this is with our new series High Noon Highlights. Everyday at 12:00pm we will highlight a new organization that we believe is trying to make the world a better place. We want to make this information easy for you to get so we'll post here on our blog, on our Facebook page, on our Google+ page and we'll send out a Tweet as well.


We believe that supporting other organizations and their efforts to make a change will help in the efforts in our community. So set your watches, phones and alarm clocks and keep checking in at noon everyday!

High Noon Highlight #14

Community Bees on Bikes

About

Take a class!  Explore the hive with us!
Get comfortable with bees! We'll suit you up and give you hands-on
experience working in a bee hive.
Mission
Revive the Hive!

Description

Community Bees on Bikes is an urban beekeeping education program
focused on establishing and maintaining honeybee hives in community spaces in Minneapolis, while raising awareness of pollinators and their
crucial role in our ecosystems. We provide honeybees and experiential
bee education to public and private groups in community gardens, urban
farms and schools, commuting solely by bicycle!

Become part of our hive! We are partnering with a number of different
Minneapolis sites for summer 2012. If you are interested in becoming
a host site for summer 2013, contact us.

Contact 

Phone 612-245-6384, 612-990-9770
Email Here
Check out their Website
Find them on Facebook

What are High Noon Highlights?

We believe it takes a community to build community. One way We Can Grow does this is with our new series High Noon Highlights. Everyday at 12:00pm we will highlight a new organization that we believe is trying to make the world a better place. We want to make this information easy for you to get so we'll post here on our blog, on our Facebook page, on our Google+ page and we'll send out a Tweet as well.


We believe that supporting other organizations and their efforts to make a change will help in the efforts in our community. So set your watches, phones and alarm clocks and keep checking in at noon everyday!

 

High Noon Highlight #13 West Broadway Farmers Market

West Broadway Farmers Market

About

Mission

The West Broadway Farmers Market increases healthy food access, promotes economic development among Northsiders, and cultivates a dynamic gathering space for community members, visitors, and businesses.

Description

Friday markets: June 15 - October 19

Contact info:

Email: Click Here

Phone: (612) 353-5178

Check out their Website: Click Here

Find them on Facebook: Click Here

What are High Noon Highlights?

We believe it takes a community to build community. One way We Can Grow does this is with our new series High Noon Highlights. Everyday at 12:00pm we will highlight a new organization that we believe is trying to make the world a better place. We want to make this information easy for you to get so we'll post here on our blog, on our Facebook page, on our Google+ page and we'll send out a Tweet as well.


We believe that supporting other organizations and their efforts to make a change will help in the efforts in our community. So set your watches, phones and alarm clocks and keep checking in at noon everyday!

High Noon Highlight #12 Thirty Days of Biking

Thirty Days of Biking 

About

A community of joyful cyclists, founded in 2010. Pledge to ride your bike every day every April, then share your adventures online!

Mission

We ride our bikes every day.

Description

30 Days of Biking, whose fourth year begins April 1, 2013, has one rule: Bike somewhere every day for 30 days—around the block, 20 miles to work, whatever suits you—then share your adventures online. We advocate daily bicycling because we believe it enriches lives and preserves the Earth. A worldwide, thousands-strong community of joyful cyclists has been forming around that idea since April 2010—and will further amass in 2013. We ride our bikes every day!

General Information

30 Days of Biking was founded by Patrick Stephenson and Zachariah Schaap, of Minneapolis, Minn., in 2010. The 2012 30DOB had more than 4,000 registered participants from around the world.

Contact info:

Email: Click Here

Phone: 651-260-4124

Check out their Website: Click Here

Find them on Facebook: Click Here

What are High Noon Highlights?

We believe it takes a community to build community. One way We Can Grow does this is with our new series High Noon Highlights. Everyday at 12:00pm we will highlight a new organization that we believe is trying to make the world a better place. We want to make this information easy for you to get so we'll post here on our blog, on our Facebook page, on our Google+ page and we'll send out a Tweet as well.


We believe that supporting other organizations and their efforts to make a change will help in the efforts in our community. So set your watches, phones and alarm clocks and keep checking in at noon everyday!

High Noon Highlight #11 Cherry Tree House Mushrooms

Cherry Tree House Mushrooms 

About

Jeremy McAdams launched Cherry Tree House Mushrooms, LLC in 2009, a mushroom farm that provides log-grown shiitake and oyster mushrooms to the Twin Cities. CTHM started in many residential yards in south Minneapolis - but has recently moved to Grow! Twin Cities in Maplewood.

Logs used by CTHM for cultivation are sustainably harvested nearby, other ingredients used in our operation are (non-certified) organic, and we use no fungicides or other harmful chemicals.

CTHM sells its high quality mushrooms to Twin Cities restaurants such as Alma and the Craftsman and the Seward Co-op. Jeremy also sells log kits through Egg|Plant in St. Paul and gives mushroom cultivation workshops

Contact info:

Email: Click Here

Check out their Website: Click Here

Find them on Facebook: Click Here

What are High Noon Highlights?

We believe it takes a community to build community. One way We Can Grow does this is with our new series High Noon Highlights. Everyday at 12:00pm we will highlight a new organization that we believe is trying to make the world a better place. We want to make this information easy for you to get so we'll post here on our blog, on our Facebook page, on our Google+ page and we'll send out a Tweet as well.


We believe that supporting other organizations and their efforts to make a change will help in the efforts in our community. So set your watches, phones and alarm clocks and keep checking in at noon everyday!

High Noon Highlight #10 Bossy Acres

Bossy Acres 

About

Two bossy chicks growing delicious veggies. Only sustainable, USDA Certified Organic, permaculture-based practices on this Minnesotan farm!

Mission

To be good stewards of our land by embracing and utilizing organic and permaculture-based farming practices, focusing on self-sufficiency and sustainability.

Description

USDA Certified Organic vegetable farm in Northfield, MN

Contact Info

Email: Click Here

Phone: (616) 915-9027

Check out their Website: Click Here

Find them on Facebook: Click Here

What are High Noon Highlights?

We believe it takes a community to build community. One way We Can Grow does this is with our new series High Noon Highlights. Everyday at 12:00pm we will highlight a new organization that we believe is trying to make the world a better place. We want to make this information easy for you to get so we'll post here on our blog, on our Facebook page, on our Google+ page and we'll send out a Tweet as well.


We believe that supporting other organizations and their efforts to make a change will help in the efforts in our community. So set your watches, phones and alarm clocks and keep checking in at noon everyday!

High Noon Highlights #9 Twin Cities Daily Planet

Twin Cities Daily Planet

About

Original articles every day, and news from over 100 community media partners.

Description

The Twin Cities Daily Planet is an online publication connecting citizens in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul with one another and with the global community. The Daily Planet is a project of the Twin Cities Media Alliance, a nonprofit organization dedicated to closing the digital divide and helping citizens empower themselves with media.

Email: Click Here

Phone: (612) 436-9196

Check out their Website: Click Here

Find them on Facebook: Click Here

What are High Noon Highlights?

We believe it takes a community to build community. One way We Can Grow does this is with our new series High Noon Highlights. Everyday at 12:00pm we will highlight a new organization that we believe is trying to make the world a better place. We want to make this information easy for you to get so we'll post here on our blog, on our Facebook page, on our Google+ page and we'll send out a Tweet as well.


We believe that supporting other organizations and their efforts to make a change will help in the efforts in our community. So set your watches, phones and alarm clocks and keep checking in at noon everyday!

High Noon Highlights #8 Gardens of Eagan

Gardens of Eagan

About

GOE is its people. Knowledgeable, committed, passionate folks dedicated to the organic stewardship of soil. Dirt first.

Mission

Gardens of Eagan is a demonstration of the logic, elegance, and viability of ecologically based, organic food production.

Description

Gardens of Eagan is a 100 acre, urban-edge, vegetable farm, providing certified organic produce to the Twin Cities and surrounding communities. Its proximity to a metropolitan area allows the farm to serve as an educational resource to consumers and farmers through its 501 (c) 3 non-profit, The Organic Field School, http://www.organicfieldschool.org/.

Originally in Eagan, Gardens of Eagan was established by Martin Diffley in 1973 and co-operated with Atina Diffley through 2007. It is now owned by the Wedge Community Co-op and run by farm manager, Linda Halley, and a crew of talented, earnest co-conspirators.

Email: Here 

Phone: (507) 645-2544

Check out their Website

Find them on Facebook 




What are High Noon Highlights?

We believe it takes a community to build community. One way We Can Grow does this is with our new series High Noon Highlights. Everyday at 12:00pm we will highlight a new organization that we believe is trying to make the world a better place. We want to make this information easy for you to get so we'll post here on our blog, on our Facebook page, on our Google+ page and we'll send out a Tweet as well.


We believe that supporting other organizations and their efforts to make a change will help in the efforts in our community. So set your watches, phones and alarm clocks and keep checking in at noon everyday!

High Noon Highlight #7 The Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships

About

The Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships work to sustain Minnesota's natural resource-based communities and industries by addressing community-identified agriculture, natural resources, and tourism issues in partnership with the U of M

Mission

The Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships work to sustain Minnesota's natural resource-based communities and industries by addressing community-identified agriculture, natural resources, and tourism issues in partnership with the University of Minnesota.

Three core goals shape the work of the Regional Partnerships, and form the basis on which we evaluate our effectiveness. These goals are:

to build and strengthen effective relationships between the University of Minnesota, and the citizens and communities it serves.

to strengthen the long-term social, economic, and environmental health of greater Minnesota through active citizen leadership.

to advance the understanding of regional sustainability by investing in research, education and outreach projects.

Funded by the Minnesota Legislature through appropriations made in 1997 and 1999, Regional Partnerships have been established in Northwest, Northeast, Central, West Central, and Southeast Minnesota. Additional Partnerships are anticipated in the future.

Description

Each Regional Partnership has a board made up of citizens with backgrounds and interests in agriculture, natural resources, tourism, and sustainability as well as University faculty and staff from a wide range of departments. A Statewide Coordinating Committee composed of staff and citizens from each region, at-large citizen representatives, and representatives of the three Partnership colleges provides leadership for the program's coordinated efforts.


Check out their Website

Find them on Facebook




What are High Noon Highlights?

We believe it takes a community to build community. One way We Can Grow does this is with our new series High Noon Highlights. Everyday at 12:00pm we will highlight a new organization that we believe is trying to make the world a better place. We want to make this information easy for you to get so we'll post here on our blog, on our Facebook page, on our Google+ page and we'll send out a Tweet as well.


We believe that supporting other organizations and their efforts to make a change will help in the efforts in our community. So set your watches, phones and alarm clocks and keep checking in at noon everyday!

High Noon Highlight #6 Minnesota GreenStep Cities

About

Become a GreenStep City! Learn more at http://mngreenstep.org/

Description

Minnesota GreenStep Cities is a voluntary challenge, assistance and recognition program to help cities achieve their sustainability goals through implementation of 28 best practices. Each best practice can be implemented by completing one or more specific actions from a list of four to eight actions. These actions are tailored to all Minnesota cities, focus on cost savings and energy use reduction, and encourage innovation.

General Information

During fall 2007, Minnesota's Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTS) held regional listening sessions around the state to discuss community-based energy opportunities and the state's Next Generation Energy Act of 2007. The idea was raised of creating a sustainable cities program that would challenge, assist and recognize cities that were "green stars." This idea was taken up by the 2008 Legislature, which directed the MPCA, the Office of Energy Security and CERTS to recommend actions cities could take on a voluntary basis.

Those recommendations are contained in the report Minnesota GreenStep Cities. Representatives from dozens of cities, non-profit organizations, businesses and state government agencies provided the outline for what has been developed as the Minnesota GreenStep Cities program, which began in June 2010.

Check out their Website

Find them on Facebook

What are High Noon Highlights?

We believe it takes a community to build community. One way We Can Grow does this is with our new series High Noon Highlights. Everyday at 12:00pm we will highlight a new organization that we believe is trying to make the world a better place. We want to make this information easy for you to get so we'll post here on our blog, on our Facebook page, on our Google+ page and we'll send out a Tweet as well.


We believe that supporting other organizations and their efforts to make a change will help in the efforts in our community. So set your watches, phones and alarm clocks and keep checking in at noon everyday!

High Noon Highlight #5 Urban Edibles

About

Grow good food!

Description

Helping fellow urbanites grow food in their front or back yards through DIY start-up consultations, periodic support and on-going garden/soil maintenance and harvesting. Also growing food for self & market in three Minneapolis yards (more next year!).

General Information

Vegetable gardening consultation
Lawn-to-garden conversion
Market Garden in peek season (contact us for more information on how to sign up for notifications)

Organic, sustainable practices used and encouraged.

Find them on Facebook
Phone (612) 889-4571
Email drivebydesign@gmail.com

What are High Noon Highlights?

We believe it takes a community to build community. One way We Can Grow does this is with our new series High Noon Highlights. Everyday at 12:00pm we will highlight a new organization that we believe is trying to make the world a better place. We want to make this information easy for you to get so we'll post here on our blog, on our Facebook page, on our Google+ page and we'll send out a Tweet as well.


We believe that supporting other organizations and their efforts to make a change will help in the efforts in our community. So set your watches, phones and alarm clocks and keep checking in at noon everyday!

High Noon Highlight #4 Loaves and Fishes

About

Loaves and Fishes is a nonprofit serving a basic need by providing well-balanced, nutritious meals to anyone in need.

Mission

The mission of Loaves & Fishes is to provide nutritious meals to the hungry of the Twin City Metro area in an atmosphere of hospitality at site locations where the need is greatest and develops joint ventures/partnerships with like-minded organizations to assist guests with additional basic needs and to becoming self-sufficient.

Everyone is entitled to a meal with dignity. Respect for others and self is the only requisite at our sites. We connect people who want to serve with people needing service.
Company Overview
Founded in 1982 as a soup kitchen model for mostly homeless, single men, Loaves and Fishes has seen many changes. Today's typical guest is the working poor, families in transition, seniors on fixed incomes, and children. Well-balanced, nutritious meals are prepared and served by over 4,000 volunteers from local businesses, corporations, community groups, schools, families, and faith-based organizations. There are now nine different dining site locations throughout the Twin Cities Metro area. Each year, the organization provides approximately 350,000 nutritious well-balanced meals to those in need. In addition to providing meals, Loaves and Fishes partners with different agencies in order to provide advocacy and referrals to much needed social services such as medical care, clothing distribution, job placement assistance, parenting skills, food shelves, and access to educational opportunities, among others.

Description

Loaves and Fishes serves a basic need by providing well-balanced, nutritious meals to anyone in need. Our no-questions-asked approach helps provide a welcoming, hospitable environment that protects the dignity of our guests. There are ten different dining sites located through the Twin Cities Metro area including Bloomington, Coon Rapids, Minneapolis, Richfield, St. Paul, and Shakopee. The site locations were chosen based on where the need was greatest. Each dining site has solid relationships and agreements with agencies in the area in order to coordinate services and better serve our guests.
General InformationNutrition is a big part of what we do. A nutritious diet is critical for healthy child development. A hungry child may have trouble concentrating in school and may have behavior problems. A child with a diet high in fat and sugar is in danger of developing childhood obesity as well as behavior problems. Providing nutritious, well-balanced meals is a critical building block for helping vulnerable children succeed.

For many of our guests, eating a Loaves and Fishes meal is the only meal they'll eat all day. Providing a nutritious, well-balanced meal is critical to supporting their long-term health.Loaves and Fishes is a nonprofit serving a basic need by providing well-balanced, nutritious meals to anyone in need.

Website

Facebook 

What are High Noon Highlights? 

We believe it takes a community to build community. One way We Can Grow does this is with our new series High Noon Highlights. Everyday at 12:00pm we will highlight a new organization that we believe is trying to make the world a better place. We want to make this information easy for you to get so we'll post here on our blog, on our Facebook page, on our Google+ page and we'll send out a Tweet as well.


We believe that supporting other organizations and their efforts to make a change will help in the efforts in our community. So set your watches, phones and alarm clocks and keep checking in at noon everyday!

High Noon Highlight #3 Eggplant Urban farm Supply

Eggplant Urban Farm Supply 

About

Egg|Plant Urban Farm Supply sells seeds, plants and supplies for your urban homestead.

General Information

Pickup and short term parking always available right next to the Egg|Plant building  Parking is available in the entire parking lot on Saturday and Sunday only.

Hours

Tue - Wed: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Thu: 10:00 am - 8:00 pm
Fri - Sat: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Sun: 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm, 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Like them on Facebook 

High Noon Highlight #2 First Kitchen.

Whether you are a novice cook or experienced chef, First Kitchen has some great ideas for you.

About

Step-by-step techniques and simple, tasty and nutritious recipes for breakfast, lunch and dinner, First Kitchen will help you make great, healthy meals that will save you time and money.

What are High Noon Highlights? 

We believe it takes a community to build community. One way We Can Grow does this is with our new series High Noon Highlights. Everyday at 12:00pm we will highlight a new organization that we believe is trying to make the world a better place. We want to make this information easy for you to get so we'll post here on our blog, on our Facebook page, on our Google+ page and we'll send out a Tweet as well.


We believe that supporting other organizations and their efforts to make a change will help in the efforts in our community. So set your watches, phones and alarm clocks and keep checking in at noon everyday!

High Noon Highlight #1 Gardening Matters.

Gardening Matters is a great resource for anyone that has a garden in the Twin Cities.

About

Working to promote and preserve community gardens across the Twin Cities and Minnesota by connecting them to each other and the communities in which they reside. Helping people connect to land for gardening and the resources to be successful.

Mission

Gardening Matters grows the success and sustainability of community gardens by supporting the gardeners that make them happen. We connect gardeners with resources, training, and networking opportunities, provide public education, advocate for supportive community garden policies, and build community and regional collaboration for the Good Food movement, embracing home gardening and community gardening as a vital part of a diverse, community-based food system.

Company Overview

Gardening Matters helps people join or start a community garden, connects gardeners from across the Twin Cities Metro and Minnesota, and connects gardeners with resources to help them be successful and their community gardens sustainable.

What is a High Noon Highlight?

We believe it takes a community to build community. One way We Can Grow does this is with our new series High Noon Highlights. Everyday at 12:00pm we will highlight a new organization that we believe is trying to make the world a better place. We want to make this information easy for you to get so we'll post here on our blog, on our Facebook page, on our Google+ page and we'll send out a Tweet as well.


We believe that supporting other organizations and their efforts to make a change will help in the efforts in our community. So set your watches, phones and alarm clocks and keep checking in at noon everyday!

High Noon Highlights

We believe it takes a community to build community. One way We Can Grow does this is with our new series High Noon Highlights. Everyday at 12:00pm we will highlight a new organization that we believe is trying to make the world a better place. We want to make this information easy for you to get so we'll post here on our blog, on our Facebook page, on our Google+ page and we'll send out a Tweet as well.

We believe that supporting other organizations and their efforts to make a change will help in the efforts in our community. So set your watches, phones and alarm clocks and keep checking in at noon everyday!  

Announcements and Asks

Good afternoon We Can Grow followers!


We’re starting to get really fired up here at We Can Grow.  Spring and the up-coming planting season are soon to start. We have a couple of announcements. First, we have teamed up with Gardening Matters and their Local Resource Hubs to provide our clients with the seeds and seedlings they’ll need to succeed. Using the Local Resource Hubs was a no brainer for us. Our clients will conveniently access their seeds and plants as well as any additional resources such as classes and their tool lending library. We’re very excited to be working with such an awesome collaborator and feel that together we can advance local food and food security for everyone citywide.

 You may have seen our Fund Razr or other fund raising tools we’re using, but right now Mike and I have been brain-storming strategies for funding the We Can Grow program. Up until now everything we’ve done has been pro bono as a labor of love because this is something we both believe will better our community. However, it is time to get serious about funding and making this initiative happen in a big way. We estimate $10,000-12,000 dollars will be needed to build the 150+ raised bed gardens we intend to install in the community this spring.  That being said, we’ll probably have to make a couple shameless asks  for donations over the next couple months and we apologize for that now. Yet, we wouldn’t do this if wouldn't do this unless it was absolutely necessary. So please,  give what you can to get us to our goals, and we will do our best to return the favor to the community.


Thanks everyone,

The We Can Grow Team

Class Scheduling

After just having graduated I was glad to leave behind the worries of scheduling my classes each semester. Making sure I had all the appropriate classes, locations, and times and could definitely be an unwelcome stress. Yet here I find myself again trying to schedule our classes for We Can Grow. I had been having issues this past week finding community kitchens big enough to host our grand aspirations but this a few days ago we made some real headway. With a little help we came to the obvious conclusion that churches would be the perfect place to hold our classes and we immediately thought of River of Life Lutheran up in North Minneapolis. Centrally located, well known and not to mention very welcoming the church had everything we could’ve hoped for. We sat down on Tuesday with Robert, a warm and optimistic staff person who helped us finalize our plans. We will be teaching our classes Tuesday and Wednesday nights in April at the River of Life Lutheran Church!
With this success fresh our minds and our morale high we decided to lock down our April schedule by reaching out to another great church, the Northeast Methodist Church. I spoke to Pastor Sarah last night who was a bright, energetic character and loved the plans we were cooking up for the community. She told me about the church’s large kitchen and seating space as well as their commitment to urban agriculture which she backed by telling me of the large garden they tend on the property. Convinced that this would be a perfect fit for us I swung by this morning and penciled us in for Thursdays in April.
With our first round of classes on the books we now turn our sights toward finding eager participants in these communities that could really benefit for our program. We are planning to have conversations with the churches and neighborhood associations in these areas but we would love to hear for you all if you have any suggestions on where to look. Remember, it takes a community to build a community, and we can’t do this without the help of followers like you. Thanks for your continuing support everyone!

Showing We Can Grow the Love

  With Valentines Day quickly approaching there seems seems to be lots of talk about love and, what a great thing to talk about while Minnesota gets 4-12 inches of freshly fallen snow, temperatures don't seem to be getting higher and the sky is that lovely shade of grey that you can use to accent any room. Well growing season is coming soon I assure you. Our community here at We Can Grow seems to be growing despite the less than perfect weather we have been having.

  This weekend we had some great people step up to the plate and offer to help us with an array of different things.  My friend Tim called me out of the blue and said "Mike, I know your website is a temporary thing, and I'm not saying that it looks that bad, but can I take a shot of creating a new one for your foe free?"  Our friend Dan reached out and said "I'm going to school for graphic design now, and I need to create some materials. Do you guys have anything I can do for you for free?" I met with a couple of film producers that have a film that have offered to us to use for fundraising purposes, we can't say what it is or we'll spoil the surprise.  Then, I was out to dinner with my parents on Saturday nigh and ran into a friend I went to school with and he said "I love the work you're doing with We Can Grow. I have a vacant lot in North Minneapolis that I would love to donate to the cause"

  I have always said that it takes a community to build community. We are starting to believe the phrase "if you build it, they will come". We have more and more people reaching out to help. We have more and more people that want to get involved and do what they can. Donations of time and materials keep us smiling. But most importantly the people that simply let us know that they believe in what we are doing makes us continue to smile and work harder to accomplish what we have set out to do.

 I am completing my last semester at the U of M and working part time, all while trying to get We Can Grow growing. I find myself going to bed every night smiling. This is because the people I have in my life, past, present and future. Without their support I may have given up a long time ago. This is also a good time to show a little love to Martin Gordon, We Can Grow's Program Manager. Martin has put in a countless number of hours the last few months. He has not received a single penny. I know, without his energy and support We Can Grow would be a little more than an idea. He keeps me motivated to work harder and longer. So if you get a chance to meet Martin please thank him for all the hard work he has put forward without receiving any financial compensation. To everyone in the We Can Grow community, I thank you for your continued support, without it we would not be what we are today.

Much Love,

Mike   

This is What's Cooking

First Kitchen and We Can Grow 

 We're really excited to have partnered with Mollie Shields and First Kitchen for our cooking classes. First Kitchen is dedicated to developing not just recipes but shows people how to develop their kitchen in to a efficient, functional place to create meals for the whole family. Since 2006 they have been creating a useful program for the everyday consumer. We are proud to have them on board and look forward to seeing this beneficial relationship grow.

For more information visit their website   

Why We Do It

As the momentum builds around this program many people are asking us about the details and what we're hoping to do. "That's awesome!" is a common response we keep hearing from our friends and family and we're so glad to hear the excitement. Many of them think that this is a environmental justice thing and it is. We'll be working in communities that have historically been degraded through industrial pollution and general mistreatment and giving them the potential to grow healthy food over top of the questionable soil. Others think that our focus is food justice and that is absolutely a priority of our's. We want to bring all people regardless of income, race, education or whatever together to build a cohesive food movement that can addresses the disparities of the food system. Yet again, it's more than that. Some believe it's about people eating more fresh, healthy, local food and equipping them with the tools they'll need to produce, prepare and preserve it, which of course it is. The most important factor though which we want to see come out of this program is the community building. Gardens and food have so much potential to bring neighbors together in front yards, kitchens, and parks interacting with one another for maybe the first time ever. The true power of We Can Grow comes in growing the networks between members of our communities and growing their individual and combined abilities to determine their place in the food system. This is the way we hope to begin growing a just, equitable and healthy food system. Together, we can grow.

Cooking Up Something Good

We reached out to several restaurants in Minneapolis today asking them to contribute to the cookbook that we'll be giving to clients participating in the cooking class. We want to provide our clients with the skills and resources that encourage them to more fully participate in the production and preparation of food. Some of the restaurants we contacted were a bit hesitant at first when we initially introduced ourselves and the program, it probably sounded like there was going to be a catch.  However, when we explained the nature of our program they opened up and wanted to know how they could contribute their knowledge of food to our cookbook. It cannot be understated how lucky we are to be working in such a supportive community where neighbors willingly reach out and lend a hand where they can. This is what the program is really about, building connections and a sense of place here in our communities between ourselves, organizations and our neighbors. We will continue working to create and foster these connections further in the months to come. Stay posted everyone because things are getting good.

Garden Number One

  So Todd and I ran down to Siwek Lumber to pick up some cedar for our first garden. Tom Siwek was there in the yard working hard, or should I say he looked like he was working hard. We are building all of our gardens out of cedar because it is more resistant to rot and then the gardens will last longer. Oh and cedar smells great too!

Here is the lumber we started with, Three 6'- 1"x12"s and one 6'- 4"x4" all cedar. 

We cut the 4x4 into 14" lengths and cut the tops at the 2" make at a 45 degree angle to create a decorative finish for the tops. 

See our fine decorative tops? Pretty fancy! Next we pre drilled the 1x12s so the wood wouldn't split. Then we used 2 1/2 wood screws, for on each board on each corner. 

Our finished end cap.

Then we assembled the the sides with the end caps.  

Here we have it the finished product. I wonder who will end up with Garden number one? We'll keep you posted. 

Why We Do What We Do?

  Today during our Tuesday morning meeting there was a feeling of excitement and a great sense of morale. We Can Grow is moving along and gaining a momentum that I have never seen. New partnerships have bloomed this week.  We have some very important meetings in the next week with people that make big things happen. Things are falling into place like they never have before. But beneath all the excitement is a feeling of "it's right, it's just the right thing" and that is the reason We Can Grow is happening, because it's just the right thing. In the next couple of weeks we will be releasing more and more amazing news. This is going to be fun.

We just got the green light, GO! We Can Grow can start to grow!

  At days end around 4:50pm I received the call I had been waiting for. I was in bed for four solid days with this powerlifter of a flu. I staggered out of bed to work on some backlogged emails and fighting it every step of the way. then the phone rang, it was the call. I was informed that the potential partner that we had been waiting on was interested in moving forward. This was the news we had been waiting for.

  So today has been off and running. Meetings and excitement filled my morning. Planning and brainstorming. I hope to look back at this post and realize that it was all worth the days of mayhem and confusion. Things have and keep falling into place just like they should. I have always said "It's like I opened a 1000 piece puzzle, tossed the pieces in the air, and they came down almost all put together"

  This day would not have been possible without a host of friends and family that have supported me through all my crazy thought processes and freak outs. I love each and everyone of you and with your support I believe that We Can Grow.