It's Almost Spring Meeting and other February Garden News
Amy Joens
Happy Friday!
We have a quick update today... there are some things coming up that are too good not to share.
It's Almost Spring! meeting
Can you believe it? Spring is around the corner. We would like to celebrate and prepare for the upcoming spring and summer seasons with our third annual "It's Almost Spring" meeting. At this meeting, we will catch up with what is happening on the community garden front in Des Moines, and have several breakout workshop choices for you to select from- all led by Des Moines' finest community, school, and faith-based garden pros. The flyer for the event is attached- feel free to share widely or print and hang anywhere you'd like. (We'll share the exact breakout sessions closer to the event date).
Event details:
Date: Saturday, March 5th, 8:30 am - 12:30 pm
Come early for breakfast and networking, we will formally begin around 9/9:15 am.
There will be three breakout sessions throughout the time, and the last hour will be large group discussion, networking and resource sharing, and a healthy food potluck. (Yes, it's alright to start thinking about your potluck fare now. Plan to BYORP too.. [bring your own reusable plate])
Location: Youth Emergency Shelter and Services (YESS), 918 SE 11th St, Des Moines, IA 50309
***If you plan to attend the "It's Almost Spring" meeting, please RSVP to amy....@foodcorps.org with the subject line "It's Almost Spring RSVP" so we can get an approximate count of attendees.
FoodCorps Application is Open!
Have you (or someone you know) been looking for ways to put your energy towards something meaningful? To address your community’s health in concrete ways? To address issues of food justice by getting your hands dirty?
The FoodCorps application is open! FoodCorps recruits talented leaders (18 and older) for a year of paid public service building healthy school food environments in limited-resource communities. Applications are being accepted for the 18 host sites across the country (including Iowa) and many different service sites (including Des Moines).
Find out WHAT YOU’LL DO, WHERE YOU’LL SERVE, and the BENEFITS you'll receive. Apply by clicking here, through March 31, 2016 at 6:00 PM PT. You can read more about our application process here.
If you or someone you know is interested in this opportunity, please feel free to reach out with questions about FoodCorps service. Contact Amy and Jenetta for what it's like to serve in Des Moines, and Chelsea Krist (the state FoodCorps Fellow) for other questions.
GRANTS
Time is running short, but you can still get some of these grant applications in!
United Way Community Garden Mini-Grant, Due February 10
Community organizations located in Polk, Dallas or Warren County are eligible to apply for the mini grants. The application process is now open. For full eligibility requirements and to access the application form, click here. Funding will be released beginning March 1, 2016.
Lowe's Toolbox for Education Grant, Due February 12
There is a preference for funding requests that have a permanent impact such as facility enhancement (both indoor and outdoor) as well as landscaping/clean up type projects. Projects that encourage parent involvement and build stronger community spirit will be favored. This grant awards between $2,000 and $5,000 per school. Visit the Lowe’s website for more information.
Birdsleuth School Garden Grant, Due February 15
This grant application is open to all K-12 teachers in public or private schools.
Community Impact Grants by Home Depot Foundation, Opens February 1
Grants, up to $5,000, are available to IRS-registered 501c designated organizations and tax-exempt public service agencies in the U.S. that are using the power of volunteers to improve the physical health of their community. Grants are given in the form of The Home Depot gift cards for the purchase of tools, materials, or services. Visit the Home Depot’s website for more details.
Smiles all around,
Amy Joens and Jenetta Hargrove
FoodCorps Service Members
This will be happening before we know it!
