Friday, May 11, 2007
Arugula and Strawberry Blossoms at the Farm
Hello Friends
The last two weeks have been pretty incredible around here. On Monday April 23rd, Aaron Reser and Jenny Guillaume joined our staff as UrbanFarm Assistants. As they have been transitioning from previous employment, they have been working just 24 hours a week and even with this limited time their hard work and positive attitude has helped get food in the ground, loose ends tied up, and new projects begun. We are lucky to have such a wonderful pair of women joining the team.
Since Aaron and Jenny arrived 16 dump trucks have visited the Farm, depositing 384 cubic yards of compost on the east side. With the help of more than 145 volunteers we have spread almost half of the soil and plan to complete the project over the next two volunteer workdays. New soil means new crops and herb gardens, and new crops and gardens means a more vibrant farm, and more active market and restaurant relationships.
With soil comes hard work and good learning. Our youth participants have just entered their third month of intensive leadership training, and are building skills and knowledge towards another summer of growing. One piece of exciting news is that Jillian Diaz has been accepted to SUNY Oneonta! Because of her work with Added Value she will be receiving a $3,600 scholarship for farm workers: new immigrants, and migrant andseasonal workers. The director of the program was thrilled to hear about young people growing food in New York City, and this feels like the beginning of a great opportunity for youth at Added Value and our sister programs at East New York Farms and the Wyckoff Farm House.
Jillian and the rest of her peers will be completing the Leadership Institute on Thursday, May 31st. Please join us that evening, for an outdoor screening of The Endless Feast: a full-length PBS show featuring Added Value and regional New York food producers. We will be showing the film on the farm—more information coming soon.
While teens are learning and growing on the farm, so are hundreds of elementary school students! Currently we have 240 little ones on the farm for an hour and a half a week. An incredible team of interns and part-time staff are working with the students from PS 15, PS 27, and the Brooklyn New School: Thanks to Jessca and a fabulous crew of interns for inspiring young minds!
In addition to this programming, in June we will be piloting a new program, hosting one-time visits with interested schools. Interest has been great, but there are one or two spaces left—if you’d like more information, please contact Caroline.
Big thanks to Phil for getting documentation teams up and running—capturing images of growth and change!
A great piece of news is that the Levitt Foundation has approved a second year of funding to support our New Energy Initiatives. This means that we will continue to work with our youth leaders and you to grow a community composting initiative, while branching out into solar power and biofuels. Look for lots of exciting new developments on the Farm in the coming months.
Hope to see you all on the Farm
Ian
UPCOMING VOLUNTEER DAYS AND EVENTS:
* Saturday, May 12th, 10:00-3:00. Join us on the farm for tours and a community workday.
* Saturday, May 19th, 10:00-3:00. It’s My Park Day! Added Value is possible through an incredible partnership with the NYC Parks Department. Come out and volunteer, help us grow!
*Tuesday, May 22, 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Join Us for an Evening to Celebrate (Very) Local Food!
with a special screening of The Endless Feast Brooklyn episode iCi Restaurant, Fort Greene
Join Ici's Laurent Saillard, Added Value's Ian Marvy, and food educators Anna Lappe and Elizabeth Johnson for a delicious three course meal, featuring produce from Red Hook Community Farm, Flying Pig Farms and New York State wine and spirits. We will screen PBS’s “The Endless Feast” in which they all appear (broadcast nationwide but not in New York!). Conversation and Q & A to follow screening. $60/person. Seating if very limited. Reservation and advance payment can be made by calling 718 789 2778
(We will be closed Saturday, May 26th for Memorial Day weekend)
* Thursday, May 31st- 8:00 PM- Outdoor screening of The Endless Feast—PBS feature about Added Value and local NYC food producers!
* Saturday, June 2nd, 10:00-3:00. Farm volunteer day and Red Hook Waterfront Arts Festival.
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Previous Announcements
April Showers bring May vegetables
The season is beginning and Added Value is hiring!...
Brooklyn's Bounty!
Gratitude, and a great Harvest Festival!
Red Hook Harvest Festival
Celebrate the Harvest in Red Hook!
August at Added Value!
July at Added Value!
Envisioning the Future of the Red Hook Community F...
Strawberries are turning rosy, radishes are ready ...
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