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.