Hello Upstate Locavores!
I send this message hoping you are enjoying the arrival of spring - I
know I am grateful for the rain. Just what we need for our vegetable
garden!
We hope that you will join us this weekend for the first annual Garden Fest, at
the South Carolina Botanical Gardens. Bring a friend or two or
three! Below you will find more details about this event and some other
upcoming Upstate Locavore events.
(1) First Annual Garden Fest: Building Communities,
Growing Vegetables: Would you like to provide people who are facing tough
economic times with a chance to start gardening and grow their own food? The
Upstate Locavores is one of several community groups working on Earth Day 2009
events. We would like to inform you of one such event: "Garden Fest:
Building Community, Growing Vegetables" will be held at the SC Botanical
Garden on Saturday, April 18 from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. Simple,
interactive displays will teach people how to grow vegetables. Experts will be
on hand to answer questions. It is free and everyone (even experienced gardens
who would like an update) are encouraged to attend.
We need volunteers to distribute flyers and to help out on the day of the Festival.
And, if you can help in any way with publicity, do let us know! Please e-mail
Ellie Taylor (elp...@bellsouth.net)
or Catherine Mobley (cam...@clemson.edu)
if you can help.
(2) Earth Box Project: This project aims to empower
local citizens to grow their own food. In early April, the project will provide
gardening kits to people identified by Littlejohn Community Center and Clemson
Community Cares (CCC). An EarthBox is a container garden on wheels that comes
complete with soil and fertilizer along with plants. It can be re-planted with
seasonal crops year around, and the same soil can be used over again for five
growing seasons.
We are seeking donations and volunteers for this project. Money is being raised
to purchase 24 EarthBoxes. A donation of $60 will provide one EarthBox with
plants. We are also seeking experienced gardeners to volunteer as mentors
to help recipients with planting the EarthBox this spring, re-planting in the
fall, and answering questions throughout the year. If you are interested
in sponsoring an EarthBox or being a mentor, please e-mail Ellie Taylor (elp...@bellsouth.net) or
Catherine Mobley (cam...@clemson.edu).
We have flyers for of these events and will need help with publicity. If you
can help, please let us know! And if you are willing to talk with
other organizations, individuals, churches, or any small group of
committed people (at work, school, club, etc) to sponsor an EarthBox, please
inform us.
(3) Upstate Locavores Potluck: Our third Upstate
Locavores Potluck is planned for Thursday, May 21, from 6:00 p.m.-8:00
p.m. Please bring a friend as we celebrate the spring bounty, reflect on
our current projects, and plan for the future!
We look forward to seeing you soon!
Ellie Taylor and Catherine Mobley