Hello PUFN,

In North Philadelphia there's an opportunity to get involved and help shape
a new kitchen/residents' garden project that will have an immediate impact
in the community.

 Project H.O.M.E. <http://www.projecthome.org/> is looking to revive and
expand an on-site kitchen garden for their St. Elizabeth's Recovery
Residence <http://www.projecthome.org/services/housing/transitional.php>.
The garden would be immediately adjacent to the kitchen that serves the
residents 3 meals a day. Fresh vegetables from the garden would be a
dramatic improvement from the largely institutional (canned) menu they
currently have available. A number of the St. Elizabeth residents have
expressed interest in participating in the start-up and long-term
maintenance of the garden.

Concurrently, we will be establishing a community garden for Project
H.O.M.E.'s Permanent Supportive Housing facility Rowan Judson
Homes<http://www.projecthome.org/services/housing/permanent.php#Rowan>.
This facility houses +24 formerly homeless families. The community garden
site adjacent to this facility is at the nw corner of
23rd&Berks<http://maps.google.com/maps?q=23rd+and+Berks+Philadelphia&hl=en&ll=39...>.
If you check out the google map link you'll see both garden sites in the
same frame (community garden site upper left, kitchen garden site lower
right).

Both sites are already "cleaned and greened" and fenced so there won't be
any backbreaking bushwhacking and clearing needed. We'll be bringing in
soil and compost and placing it in framed out beds. One advantage both
gardens have is their built-in constituencies. The facilities' residents
live immediately adjacent to the sites and a good percentage of them want
to participate. We will also have a steady stream of inexperienced, younger
volunteer workers that will need supervision.

Volunteers can have a direct hand in shaping this project in all stages,
from start-up to sustainable operation. Some of the overriding concepts we
would like to employ are organic growing, intensive relay planting
sequences and season extension.
help will be needed for:

   - garden planning
   - growing bed construction
   - sourcing of materials, seedlings, seeds, tools etc.
   - planting, cultivation, harvesting
   - education programs to include: gardening/growing techniques, meal
   planning and preparation etc.
   - cross collaboration within the urban ag community and beyond
   - sponsorship outreach

Getting access to the vacant lots is facilitated by Project HOME's working
relationships with all the city agencies involved in neighborhood
properties. Expansion into nearby lots is entirely possible as more
production capacity is needed.

If you're interested in this project please contact:
Larry Shaeffer
larryshaef...@gmail.com
215-378-3397