Fwd: 4/3/20 GreenThumb COVID-19 Updates
Laura Hofmann
From: Alvey, Kathleen (Parks) <Kathlee...@parks.nyc.gov>
Date: Fri, Apr 3, 2020, 1:29 PM
Subject: 4/3/20 GreenThumb COVID-19 Updates
To: Alvey, Kathleen (Parks) <Kathlee...@parks.nyc.gov>
Hello Gardeners:
Thank you so much for your continued hard work and dedication to your communities and gardens through these times. We see and appreciate all that you are doing to keep your communities informed and to continue to provide for them.
GreenThumb is actively working on ways we can be a resource during this time so please continue to stay tuned to your emails and our website for updates. Most major service changes will be posted here on our website: https://greenthumb.nycgovparks.org/news.html?news_id=468
In addition, please also take a moment to read GreenThumb’s monthly newsletter attached to this email. If you are not already signed up to receive this, please sign up here: https://greenthumb.nycgovparks.org/newsletter_signup.html
GreenThumb’s Outreach Coordinators have been busy learning how to work remotely and in the process we’ve created a guide for community gardeners about various resources for working together while practicing social distancing guidelines. This guide is attached to this email! We are here to assist you with using these tools and will continue to create more resources!
Read on for recent updates and reminders:
Access to GreenThumb Gardens on NYC Parks Property
In compliance with Governor Cuomo’s executive order, effective immediately and until further notice community gardens on NYC Parks property may remain open or closed to garden members only at the discretion of each garden group, and only for absolutely necessary maintenance and season preparation. Due to the relatively small spaces in most gardens and the difficulty in achieving safe social distancing of 6 feet or more, gardens must remain closed to the general public. All gatherings and events are prohibited. More information about this is available here: https://greenthumb.nycgovparks.org/news.html?news_id=468
Food Handling/Distribution Protocol
The practices outlined in the attached document were developed by GrowNYC and shared by DOHMH in order to ensure social distancing of six feet and a clean environment for food sales and distribution. These requirements are mandatory for gardens operating on NYC Parks property. Garden groups in this category must confirm with their GreenThumb Outreach Coordinator that they have received this message and that they are complying with best practices.
GreenThumb GrowTogether
GreenThumb GrowTogether will not occur on Saturday, April 4th and Sunday, April 5th. We are re-imagining this year’s GrowTogether as an online offering, through a series of lunchtime webinars throughout the month of April. We will share new information as soon as it is available. Updates will be available here: bit.ly/GTWorkshopUpdates
GreenThumb’s Supply Distributions
Originally scheduled for Saturday April 18th, these are postponed until further notice. We will be in touch once we have an update.
GreenThumb’s Plant Distributions
Originally scheduled for Saturday, May 2nd and Saturday, May 9th, these have been postponed as we work to find a way to get these plants to community gardens while practicing social distancing guidelines. Please stay tuned for more information very soon!
GreenThumb Operations Deliveries
GreenThumb’s Operations team capacity is limited due to social distancing guidelines so all deliveries to gardens are postponed until further notice.
Forestry Work Updates for Gardens on NYC Parks Property
Many gardens were scheduled to have pruning work from GreenThumb’s partnership with Forestry begin soon. This work is postponed until further notice.
Department of Health & Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) Rat Abatement for Gardens on NYC Parks Property
All inspections and abatement work from DOHMH is currently postponed until further notice.
Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Hydrant Permits
DEP offices are currently closed and they are not processing hydrant permits. If your garden utilizes a hydrant, please be sure to continue using your RPZ and hydrant wrench and cap.
Portable Toilets
Call-a-Head’s portable toilet service will continue as scheduled. To help protect gardeners’ health, GreenThumb encourages gardeners to take extra steps to ensure that these units are disinfected regularly. You can learn more about disinfecting surfaces on the CDC website. In addition, hand sanitizer should be made available for gardeners to clean hands after using portable toilets. A reminder that the deadline has passed for requesting toilets for the months of July-December 2020.
GreenThumb Workshops
All GreenThumb-led workshops are being cancelled, postponed, or offered online until further notice. For the latest updates on whether a workshop is cancelled, postponed, or moving online, please visit: bit.ly/GTWorkshopUpdates
GreenThumb Trainings
Many of our 2020 trainings are kicking off in spring! Trainings that begin in May will be offered as webinars. As we continue to learn more about best practices to maintain social distancing in the summer, we will inform participants whether the trainings will continue online or in-person.
GreenThumb Pruning Brigade: GreenThumb has reserved a limited number of seats for community gardeners to get certified as Citizen Pruners through the Trees New York Citizen Pruner course. For more information or to apply, visit bit.ly/GTPruningBrigade2020
Reclaiming Ancestral Knowledge: During this workshop series, Happy Healthy Latina will use nature, observation, and ancestral knowledge for hands-on cooking demonstrations of Latin American and Caribbean dishes and foodways in a culturally rich, nutritious, delicious and educational experience appropriate for all ages. For more information or to sign up for the first workshop, visit DIY Sofrito/Sazon and Herb Lab here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/reclaiming-ancestral-knowledge-workshop-series-diy-sofrito-sazon-and-herb-lab-tickets-94015070607
Community Chef Training: The Community Chef Training with Just Food will teach community gardeners how to lead fun cooking demos that highlight nutritious,cultural, and flavorful plant-based recipes with seasonal fruits and vegetables from local, sustainable farms and community gardens. For more information or to apply, visit http://bit.ly/GTCommunityChef2020
Raising Chickens in the Garden: Learn the nuts and bolts of raising chickens in an NYC community garden. For more information or to apply, visit http://bit.ly/GTChickenCare2020
The Soul of Food: Tracing the Origins of Southern Crops and Foodways: During this weekly, hands-on workshop series with Maya Stansberry (KCC Urban Farm) we will delve into the history of fundamental crops that define Southern cuisine. For more information or to apply, visit bit.ly/GTSoulOfFood2020
Open Orchard School: The Open Orchard School is an extension of The Open Orchard, an expansive new artwork by Sam Van Aken on Governors Island that will take the form of a public orchard of 50 hybrid fruit trees. No application required. All workshops will be posted here: bit.ly/GTWorkshopUpdates
K.C. Alvey | she/her/hers what’s this?
Senior Outreach Coordinator for Brooklyn & Queens
Brooklyn CB 1, CB 2, CB 6, CB 7, CB 10, CB 11
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