Microplastic-coated pesticides: this is an environmental disaster! Please see the study about micro-plastics reducing photosynthesis.
#SpringfieldIL #CommunityGarden Seeks Applicants for 2025 Season
March 13, 2025 in Local News |
"The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) seeks individuals or families interested in starting their own garden to raise fruits, vegetables, herbs and flowers in a community setting. The IDOA’s Community Garden is located on the infield of the #IllinoisStateFair Grandstand racetrack and features 200 garden plots. Of those plots, 100 are designated for organic gardening, and the remaining 100 plots are assigned for non-organic gardening. Each plot costs $20 and can be tilled for you for an additional charge. The Department will supply water and #compost free of charge. Those interested in participating in the 2025 growing season are encouraged to fill out a garden application on the IDOA website: agr.illinois.gov/consumers/communitygarden.html Completed applications and payments can be returned by mail or to the front desk of the IDOA at the John R. Block Building, Attention: Community Garden, 801 E. Sangamon Ave., Springfield, IL 62794. If you would like more information about this year’s Community Garden, visit the IDOA website or contact the Department at (217) 785-8300."
http://www.lawndalenews.com/2025/03/community-garden-seeks-applicants-for-2025-season/
#FoodSovereignty #FoodSecurity #BuildingCommunity #CommunityGardens #SolarPunkSunday #Illinois
#DuarteCA #CommunityGarden to be developed at #TzeitelParasCaracciPark
March 12, 2025
"Duarte residents will soon have a new space to grow fresh produce, connect with neighbors, and enjoy the outdoors. Last month, the Duarte City Council approved the development of the Duarte Community Garden at Tzeitel Paras-Caracci Park (2701 Royal Oaks Drive).
"'This project exemplifies our dedication to creating #sustainable, #accessible spaces for our residents,' said Mayor Cesar A. Garcia. 'This garden will not only enhance the beauty of our park but also provide a space where our community can come together, learn, and share in the joy of nature. I am excited to see this project grow and look forward to it becoming a vibrant part of our community.'
"The goal of the Duarte Community Garden is to increase #FoodSovereignty by creating garden plots for community members to grow healthy food, cultivate agricultural literacy with educational programs, gather community by creating a welcoming and accessible garden space, and perform ecosystem services by removing grass, installing a sustainable #DripIrrigation system, building a #NativeHabitatGarden, and collecting #compost.
"The garden will feature 20 plots and two #ADAAccessible raised beds, available for rent at $5 per month. Community members can plant edible (excluding smokable) plants and flowers for personal, noncommercial use. It will include a storage shed with garden tools, an irrigation system promoting sustainable practices, and ADA-accessible decomposed granite pathways.
"The garden will be run in partnership with Food Exploration and Discovery (#FoodEd), a nonprofit organization that collaborates with San Gabriel Valley communities to create edible education sites and provide programs on #ecosystem #stewardship, healthy living, #environmental innovation, and entrepreneurship.
"Food Ed’s educational model will support gardeners of all skill levels, providing supplies and plants for beginners while experienced gardeners can use their own resources. The garden will also offer picnic benches for community #gatherings and host educational programs on topics like #VegetableGardening, #composting, #DroughtTolerant landscaping, and #SoilHealth.
"As the lead on this grant project, Food Ed will be responsible for building the #DuarteCommunityGarden. This includes overseeing site construction, collecting infrastructure bids, contractor management, program management, community engagement and workshops/events, processing plot holder applications, plant and soil replenishment, above ground irrigation repairs, developing the garden’s webpage and branding and overall garden management through October of 2026.
"For more information on the Duarte Community Garden, contact the Parks and Recreation Department at (626) 357-7931."
Source:
https://heysocal.com/2025/03/12/duarte-community-garden-to-be-developed-at-tzeitel-paras-caracci-park/
#ThirdSpaces #SolarPunkSunday #CommunityGardens #FoodSecurity #BuildingCommunity #California #SolarPunk #Composting
How folded-together are the #Climate+NatureEmergencies (sigh)
"...MP exposure reduces the chlorophyll content of photoautotrophs by 10.96 to 12.84%"
#microplastics #foodsecurity
https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2423957122
Microplastics hinder plant photosynthesis, study finds, threatening millions with starvation https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/mar/10/microplastics-hinder-plant-photosynthesis-study-finds-threatening-millions-with-starvation #Foodsecurity #Environment #Foodscience #Population #Pollution #Worldnews #Plastics #Science #Food
Interested in gardening but have no access to land? Want to grow your own food but aren't sure where to start? Passionate about food security? Come out on April 13 for a volunteer meetup at ComeUnity Roots Garden and see what we're all about!
(and hopefully the snow will be gone by then so you can actually see the garden)
#CommunityGarden #DTK #Kitchener #IronHorseTrail #gardening #garden #foodSovereignty #FoodSecurity #FoodInsecurity #volunteer @WaterlooEvents @waterlooregion
My grandfather relied on the #FarmersAlmanac. Good to see they are still around and providing #GardeningGuidance!
A Guide to Starting Vegetable Seeds Indoors
Catherine Boeckmann, February 24, 2025
"When do you start your seeds indoors? Sow too early, and the plants may be ready to leave their pots before it’s warm enough outside. Sow seeds too late, and they won’t have enough time to reach maturity. We’ll provide some tips, as well as a chart on how many weeks to sow indoors before last spring frost.
"The Hindi word for seed is #bija, meaning 'containment of life.' This is an apt description of these tiny miracles that contain everything needed to make a new plant. This time of year, we are up to our elbows in dirt, starting more seeds indoors each week!"
Learn more:
https://www.almanac.com/content/starting-seeds-indoors
#Gardening #FoodSecurity #SolarPunkSunday #SeedStarting #DIY #Gardens
#Louisiana: #WestFelicianaParish #Library launches a new #SeedLibrary
Feb 18, 2025
"Just in time for spring planting, the West Feliciana Parish Library announces the launch of its Seed Library — a community-driven initiative designed to make gardening accessible to everyone.
"The Seed Library allows patrons to 'borrow' seeds to grow their own food, flowers and herbs. Interested gardeners can take home seeds, plant them, enjoy the harvest, and, if possible, return seeds at the end of the season to keep the cycle going.
"This project was made possible through an #LSU #AgCenter #HealthyCommunitiesGrant and is maintained in partnership with the LSU AgCenter's West Feliciana Parish Extension Office.
"'Our goal is to empower our community with the ability to grow fresh, healthy food while promoting #biodiversity and #SelfReliance,' said Molly Porter, librarian. 'By participating, you're not just growing plants — you’re growing a stronger, more resilient community.'
How to get seeds from the library:
- Sign up: Fill out a Seed Library Patron Form and bring it to the circulation desk.
- Pick your seeds: Choose from a variety of seeds that thrive in the local climate. Three per week limit.
- Log your choices: Record the seeds you take in the binder to help track demand and replenish stock.
- Plant and enjoy: Take the seeds home, plant and watch them grow.
- Return seeds, if you can: If you save seeds from your harvest, bring some back to the library to share with others.
"Throughout the growing season, the library will offer workshops on gardening basics, seed saving and more."
For details, visit www.wfplibrary.org/seeds or stop by the library to get started or contact (225) 245-3752, or mporter@wfplibrary.org
https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/communities/st_francisville/west-feliciana-parish-library-launches-a-new-seed-library/article_d9f400fe-e8cb-11ef-8946-4b3a48ecf5de.html
#SeedLibrary #SeedSharing #SolarPunkSunday #BuildingCommunity #LibrariesRule! #SeedSharing #SeedExchange #Gardening #FoodSecurity
The future of food is urban greenhouses and small family farms that use ages old conservation & regenerative soil practices. It's not factory farms of any kind. And anyone with a yard can do some gardening. Anyone with a sunny window or porch/balcony can grow herbs & spices and many greens. We need to be proactive about food security, starting at home. A neighborhood swap is a micro farmer's market, too.
The book: https://store.motherearthnews.com/pages/offer-mmeemq34?r=6433H6754001C5K
#Peru's #Indigenous leaders raise concerns over #OilAndGas projects
The leaders presented evidence of the impact of oil and gas exploration at a hearing before the Inter-American Commission on #HumanRights
Steven Grattan, Associated Press
March 7, 2025
BOGOTA, #Colombia — "Indigenous leaders from the #PeruvianAmazon who are calling for the government to stop oil and gas projects in their territory took their case to an international human rights body on Tuesday.
"The leaders presented evidence of the impact of oil and gas exploration at a hearing before the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. They said the projects violate #IndigenousRights by threatening their #land, #health and #FoodSecurity and are in breach of international obligations that require Indigenous groups to be consulted.
"The Indigenous leaders are represented by the Interethnic Association for the Development of the #PeruvianRainforest, or #AIDESEP. The group argues that the projects also pose risks to #UncontactedIndigenous groups and also noted specific impact on Indigenous women.
"During the meeting, the Peruvian government said it is a democratic state which respects law and guarantees human rights to all its citizens and that it is committed to strengthening it.
"But #JulioCusurichiPalacios, a member of AIDESEP’s Board of Directors from the Madre de Dios region of the Amazon said the government 'have stated things that are not in accordance with what is happening in reality.'
"'The rights of Indigenous peoples are not being respected, the contamination of our rivers and territories continues, there are threats to #uncontacted Indigenous Peoples, more regulations that make environmental standards more flexible, and oil and gas lots continue to be promoted,' he told The Associated Press after the hearing.
"The government denied most of the claims made by the Indigenous groups and did not reply to AP’s requests for comment."
Source:
https://ictnews.org/news/perus-indigenous-leaders-raise-concerns-over-oil-and-gas-projects
#BigOilAndGas #IndigenousRights #LeaveItInTheGround #WaterIsLife #AmazonRainforest #IndigenousNews #IndigenousPeoples
Another early #SolarPunkSunday post -- because this is tomorrow (Saturday, March 8th)!
#Connecticut: Celebrate #WestHartford's '#SeedLibrary' At Saturday Celebration
Story by Michael Lemanski, March 7, 2025
WEST HARTFORD, CT — "If folks are looking for a sure sign of spring, they needn't look further than the #WestHartfordPublicLibrary's #NoahWebsterBranch this Saturday, March 8.
"The Noah Webster Library, located at 20 S. Main St., West Hartford, is home to the 'Seed Library,' where gardeners can drop off and pick up new, unused seeds for free.
"On Saturday, the library is hosting a special kickoff event to mark the start of the season for the popular Seed Library, which is a collaboration between the West Hartford Public Library and the West Hartford Garden Club.
"The goal is to expand community access to seeds and support gardeners of all skill levels.
"Saturday, guests will be able to select free seeds for their garden, consult with master gardeners, and enter a raffle for a chance to win gardening supplies.
"Quantities of seeds are limited to three packets per person."
Source:
https://www.msn.com/en-us/lifestyle/home-and-garden/celebrate-west-hartfords-seed-library-at-saturday-celebration/ar-AA1AsDQh
#Gardening #SeedSharing #SeedLibrary #WestHartfordConnecticut #Gardening #SeedExchange #BuildingCommunity #GrowYourOwn #FoodSecurity #Vegetables #Flowers
Managing senescence isn’t just about longer-lasting crops, it’s about food security, sustainability and climate resilience. (7/7)
If you want to learn more about plant senescence, check out the full review 
https://doi.org/n9nf
Our annual fundraiser for Food Bank of the Rockies is less than $40 away from our goal! FBR provides food assistance up and down the Rocky Mountain region to multiple food banks $1 provides 3 meals. Please donate and pass this along.
#FoodSecurity #Donation #Colorado
https://fundraise.foodbankrockies.org/p2p/site/87SP5/page/PZSXDV/brigit-s-basket-food-drive#/
The next while will be tough on everyone. A resource that others may be interested in is oddbunch.ca . It is a monthly subscription service that has a network of greenhouses and grocery stores where they gather imperfect fruit and veg. They deliver them to their subscribers. It is way cheaper than the grocery store and saves food from going to the landfill. Curently available in ON QU and parts of AB
Dropped off food rescue at the free fridge last night.
It was a buzz with activity when I got there!
Some folks were dropping off food. Others were picking up food.
I ran into a woman who was doing food rescue and had just dropped off about a hundred baked goods.
I spoke with a man who made it a normal part of his shopping to buy in bulk for the savings and then take a portion of those bulk purchases to drop off at the fridge. He got way more food than he would get at retail prices (even with sharing a lot with his neighbors). Annnnd he didn't waste any food from the bulk order. Win/win all around.
I spoke with a woman who has picking up food for her family and neighbors. She had some bulk rice that she was going to use tonight's dish and that she was going to give the rest to her nextdoor neighbor for their dinner.
I met a gentleman who picked up some donuts that were just dropped off along with a couple beef stew packets and some canned vegetables. He was using some of the boxes that were left over from previous drop offs to package up some of the food to take home.
I'm loving how the free fridge is not just a place to drop off and share food and then leave, but its becoming a little neighborhood meeting place.
Go there when no ones there to drop off or grab food in solitary comfort. Or go there when others are there to chat and share neighborhood news!
Imperialist War and Feminist Resistance in the Global South https://www.byteseu.com/801206/ #CareWork #CommunityOrganisation #Conflicts #Cuba #FeministResistance #FoodSecurity #HyperImperialism #Iran #PopularEconomy #PowerOutages #ReproductiveLabour #Sanctions #Syria #UCMs #Underdevelopment #UnilateralCoerciveMeasures #Venezuela #women #Zimbabwe
We cannot ignore what factory farming does to the ecosystem any longer. It is leading to food shortages & famines.
"In farming, the availability of nutrients, particularly of nitrogen, potash and phosphorus – mostly referred to by their chemical symbols N, P and K – is a major limiting factor. All traditional farming systems have had some strategy for replacing nutrients in the soil."
Factory farming's methods are failing.
Food Security
Canadian Food Studies has a large collection of open access scholarship on food security. No paywalls! Just knowledge sharing!
#Read all you want! #OpenAccess
#Share generously! #KnowledgeSharing
#Grow your understanding of #Food
#Repeat
#WTO #FoodTrade #India #FoodSecurity #Inuit #Indigenous #Canada #FoodInsecurity #FoodPrograms #FoodSystems #Environment #FoodPolicy
"We’re the Brookfield Community Food Cupboard (BCFC), and we’re thrilled to join this community!
"Our mission is simple: to support our neighbours in achieving food security and to provide assistance to those in need. Every week, we respond to the needs of our community by distributing food to families facing food insecurity.
"We’re proud to be a collaborative effort, bringing together neighbours, community groups, Brookfield High School students, staff, and passionate volunteers. Together, we create a welcoming and supportive environment where everyone can access healthy, convenient food options.
"
Where to find us:
Every Wednesday evening, we open our doors at 824 Brookfield Rd, Ottawa, Ontario (look for the blue cafeteria doors in the parking lot).
"Whether you’re looking to lend a hand, donate, or simply learn more about our work, we invite you to join us in making a difference. Together, we can ensure that no one in our community goes hungry.
"Let’s grow a brighter future, one meal at a time. 
"
#Introduction
#FoodSecurity #SolarPunkSunday #Ottawa #FoodCupboard #BCFC
Here in #Maine... #VerticalHarvest hydroponic indoor farm prepares to take root
By CNN Newsource
Published February 28, 2025
"Through towering windows, a glimpse inside the Westbrook facility reveals busy workers in the final stretch of preparing for a soon-to-open vertical farm in the heart of one of Maine’s largest cities.
"'We like to call these the Willy Wonka of greens,' said Nona Yehia, CEO and founder of Vertical Harvest.
"Vertical Harvest is a 51,000-square-foot, vertical hydroponic indoor farm in downtown Westbrook.
"'We grow a variety of leafy greens here—everything from your head lettuce to your microgreens and everything in between,' said Chris Eckerson.
"'This isn’t just any farm—it’s a super farm.'
"'The ceiling is 32 feet, the rack itself is 29 feet,' Eckerson said.
"The farm’s vertical design allows it to produce the equivalent of 250 acres of traditional farmland.
"'So, 3 million pounds of produce for the local food economy,' Yehia said."
Read more:
https://abc17news.com/cnn-regional/2025/02/28/vertical-harvest-hydroponic-indoor-farm-prepares-to-take-root/
#SolarPunkSunday #VerticalFarms #WestbrookME #Maine #FoodSecurity
Colorado 
