The seasons have changed yet once again. It’s starting to get cold outside. Before you know it our garden will be full of snow. The garden is closed for now till next season. We are still working, preparing for next year. Stay posted! Jerica Sandiford

Hardworkers!

Left to right: Michael, Billy, Latoya, Desmond, Alicia, Tanaya, Chris, Kahdijah, Jelani, Chris, Patricia, Britnee, Jasmine (missing, Lizbeth)

Love From Billy

Hi, my name is Billigisher Sesay. I was working at Grow Hartford. My Favorite things to do this summer in the program was planting the tomatoes and onions and hot peppers. I also liked the educational programs. I also liked cooking. I made the dessert for City Fare. I also liked picking vegetables too. Good-bye to everybody at the program and love you from Billy ha

*~LIZBETH~*

Hello my name is Lizbeth and for the past 6 weeks I have been working at Grow Hartford. The three things that I like most about being in the program was going to the field trips, like when we went to Holcomb Farm. I enjoyed going to a different farm that is not in Hartford. I also enjoyed going to City Fare, learning how to cook different foods like when we cooked the Malaysian chicken. The last thing that I enjoyed about the program was meeting new people. I really liked the people that I worked with because they were nice and friendly people. I really learned a lot from this program like eating the right foods and learning how to plant.

Michael M.

Whats up this is Michael again making my final blog. They want us to tell you our 3 favorite things of the job. What I liked about this job was the trips, going home, and getting my paycheck on fridays. What I didn't like was how they would always volunteer me for the hardest jobs they have and let everyone else get a say in what they want to do. Also what I didn't like was when they told me that I was trying to act like Desmond because they always assume before they knew the situation and it wasn't right how they talked bad about him behind his back. But other than that the program was fine.

grow hartford

HI, my name is Jelani.The three best things I liked to do was go on field trips.We went to the big fridge of Fowler Food Center to see where all of the fruits and vegetable come from.The second thing I liked was the fridays.That was pay day the best day of them all.The last thing I liked was that every tuesday we had a great experience with Fran at City Fare by cooking and learning about cooking.Cooking is my favorite thing to do. PEACE TO THE MIDDLE EAST.

My time Wth Grow Hartford

Hey itz me Khadijah again I just wanted you to know how was my time working at Grow Hartford. One great thing I loved about working at grow hartford was learning how to garden. be fore i started working here I had no gardening skills what so ever . Now I know how to harvest, plant and many other things . I also learned to save some things that i throw away for compost. Secondly another thing I loved about Grow Hartford was that we got paid for the working it felt good knowing that you were getting paid for something you just created. For example a plant! in addition i'm glad everyone i worked with i got along with so that made it extra fun . well i just want everyone to know working at Grow Hartford is a great learning experience I would suggest many people to try it.

desmond

What up this is Desmond this is going to be my last blog. the thing i like about this promgram is getting 30 minutes break. When you work in the heat all day you need some break. Another thing i like about the prograam is leaveing. The last thing i like about this promgram is getting paid. What i dont like about the program is everything. The fact that we work through that heat wave when is was 115 degrees outside. I also dont like how we only get paid 110 dollars when we do the most work. The last thing i dont like is most of the boring filed trip.

Hello it's me Latoya agian for the last time at Grow Hartford. Participating in Grow Hartford this summer was fun. I enjoyed going on field trips . As for me being a young lady who dosen't care to much about about gardening, harvesting and planting, this program really showed and taught me a lot these past six weeks. Harvesting cucumbers, rhubarb, planting pumkins and corn was all new to me this summer. I never thought of spending my summer vacation in a garden. I would like to thank Shanon, Chris, Angie, Fran and any others I forgot about for being supportive and taking the time out to teach me about GROW HARTFORD.

Brittne's word

Hi, my name is Brittne. I represent Grow Hartford of 2006. I am orginally from Hartford. I wanted to tell you three things that i like about my job. First i like the fact that we didn't stay in one place all the time. We took trips all around town. We went to farms, local gardens, and even the CREC building. Another thing that I enjoyed was that we also were able to try new foods and methods of eating foods together. I also learned about different types of vegetables and fruits that we grew from our very own garden. The last but not least thing that i liked was the people that I worked every single day with. Yes people Im taliking about the Grow Hartford Crew. We spent four crazy weeks together and there is not one day that I would regrete.

Jasmine's opinion

hi, my name is Jasmine and today was a fun day I really enjoyed the real world workshop that we worked on we learned alot about our future and how are lives might turn out. Grow Hartford was a good way to meet new people and earn money over the summer. This will also teach you about plant life and local foods. Doing different projects such as the one with Fran the cater and Angie the nutritionist these to workshop helped me learn understand a healthy balanced meal is real good for your health and your body and cooking for people with different styles and taste of food. So over all Grow Hartford has taught me a lot about my local community and I met new people that live around me. Have the same intrest as I do so over all I had a good time working at Grow Hartford.

Hi wassup , itz me khadijah I just wanted to let you know how much fun we had on Thursday august 9,2006 Firstly we spent our day with 3 other garden crews similar to ours, one group was called Fresh , The other was called the Food Project and lastly another hartford crew that works in the garden on different days form us. During our day we had workshops we played games and we also ate a wonderful meal. also some of the vegetables were from our garden so that was awesome . finally at the end of our day we went to our garden and harvested onions . i really enjoyed my time working with other kids who does the similar things than what i do at the garden l also it was good to meet new people.

Billigisher

For the Week! This weeks theme is Food Justice! 1. We have raised many questions about what kind of food is available in our communities, how much it costs and if it is healthy for us. What kind of food choices do you make everyday? Why do you eat the things you eat? Are there things you wish were more available to eat iIsn your neighborhood? I like food that is Spicy and Sweet. There are African Stores in Hartford to got Africans Food. So I do not miss any foods that i grew up with. Think of the place you get food in a normal day. Where are they and What are they? How far does you family go to buy food and is it easy to get??? Also what does justice means to you and who are people in your personal life and more famous people that work to create justice in our world. (Remember the 20 foot swath article and discussion!) 2. We are getting ready to host a workshop with the Food Project from Boston. Visit their website http://www.thefoodproject.com/. Cab you find GRIOW Hartford mentioned on it. Look in the BLAST area! Do you think it is important to meet other people from the region doing similar work as you? Why or why not? What have we been doing to prepare for their visit? 3. Last week we had our last visit with Angie. What did we learn from here visit. You received a hand-out breaking down an example of your daily food consumption. Was there anything there that surprised you? Something that was better then you thought? Worse? What is the coolest thing you learned from our workshops with Angie? Why do you think it is so hard to eat healthy!?! 4. Last week at City Fare we made Malaysian chicken wings. Use the Internet to find out all you can about Malaysia. Where it is? What language is spoken there? What other foods do people from Malaysia eat. Then think of your own heritage. Use the Internet to do some investigation about the part of the world you grandparent or great grandparents came from. Billi is from Sierra Leon! What can you learn about the country she is from?

jelani

Yes I liked working with the little kids because they were nice and respectful. The lead project was to dig in the dirt to make a new bed. Yes I think it is important for younger people to know how to work in the garden. It is important because they need to know how to work and plant food. The most interesting thing is seeing rabbits every day. The five tenants are irrigation, economy, labor, pest control, diversity. The best thing was to swim in the salmon river.

Lizbeth M.

I enjoyed working with the younger kids. It was fun meeting new people that were not from Hartford. It was also fun to lead a work project in the garden. In my group I taught kids how to pull out weeds from our bed of cabbage. I would like to work with younger kids because it was a fun experience. When we went to city fare I had fun zesting lemons and also making lemonade. I’m learning hoe to cook with fresh ingredients. It is important because It’s a healthier way to eat and eating healthy helps you live a better and longer life. At the Holcomb farm csa we harvested onions and also helped cut the onions and to me that was my favorite part of the trip. Also we went to the salmon river and I enjoyed swimming at the river. The five tenants are economy, irrigation, labor management, pest management and diversity.

Fun Farm Fun

Our trip to holcomb

I enjoyed working with the younger kids. It was fun meeting new people that were not from Hartford. It was also fun to lead a work project in the garden. In my group I taught kids how to pull out weeds from our bed of cabbage. I would like to work with younger kids because it was a fun experience. When we went to city fare I had fun zesting lemons and also making lemonade. I’m learning hoe to cook with fresh ingredients. It is important because It’s a healthier way to eat and eating healthy helps you live a better and longer life. At the Holcomb farm csa we harvested onions and also helped cut the onions and to me that was my favorite part of the trip. Also we went to the salmon river and I enjoyed swimming at the river. The five tenants are economy, irrigation, labor management, pest management and diversity. Yes I liked working with the little kids because they were nice and respectful. The lead project was to dig in the dirt to make a new bed. Yes I think it is important for younger people to know how to work in the garden. It is important because they need to know how to work and plant food. The most interesting thing is seeing rabbits every day. The five tenants are irrigation, economy, labor, pest control, diversity. The best thing was to swim in the salmon river.

desmond

Wat sup it's me Desmond.On Thursday some of us went to work in the Huntington Garden. I don't think community gardens are important because if you put a garden in hartford people are going to mess it up. It is also not important because if you grow gardens in the community people like bums are going to pick everything off it and there wont be a garden.If that happen we are loseing money to put up gardens that should just stay far away from the community for nobody to mess with it.If people don't listen when others people say don't do drugs and go to school they most likely are going to turn out to be bums.Why should we grow a garden for those same people that we told to go to school and don't do drugs? If the people don't want to listen and think that they going to be all right that they don't have to work hard and could do drugs, let them face the conseqenses when they relize they are making a mistake then they will see life is not easy.

Billigisher Sesay

Hi my name is Billy. Yesterday my group and I went to visit City Fare. Yes I think people need to learn how to cook with fresh ingredientes because it is good for people to eat fresh foods. My experience yesterday was good. I learned how to make the lemonade. What else I hope to learn is how to make the blueberry cobbler and also learn from Fran to make American food.

Whats Up

Whats up, this is Michael again. Last week we took a mini field trip to the Huntington Garden which is owned by the Asylum Hill Congregational Church. There we meet with Fredd who attends the church and works on the garden. When we had first walked in the garden, I thought to myself that it needs some work but it looked alright for a new garden. This makes me think is a community garden important in Hartford? What I would say is yes it is important because there is easier access to fresh fruits and vegetables. As I checked out the American Community Garden Association website it said, "The Association recognizes that community gardening improves the quality of life for people by providing a catalyst for neighborhood and community development, stimulating social interaction, encouraging self-reliance, beautifying neighborhoods, producing nutritious food, reducing family food budgets, conserving resources and creating opportunities for recreation, exercise, therapy and education." And this is why they think that a community garden is important because of how it improves the community and provides them with fresh foods. Yesterday we also went to our first culinary training at City Fare. At the City Fare we had worked with the chef Ms. Fran Reale. I also think that it is important to learn how to cook with fresh ingredients. It is what is more healthy for you it may not taste as good but as you eat it more you should get use to it. At the City Fare my favorite experience yesterday was making the lemonade. It was the most interesting cause I never had made lemonade like that before and what I also hope to learn is how to cook certain foods and prepare them the right way.

I truely believe that people should learn to cook with fresh ingredints. It would help our body to recieve the proper nutrition and vitamins our body need. From yesterday my favorite experience was when Fran Reale taught us how to make a blueberry dessert. It was weird how so many ingredients like brown surgar, butter, salt and oatmeal could make a tastey topping. I also enjoyed how we're getting the chance to prepare a lunch for a least forty people. We actually have the chance to serve people food that we prepare with our own hands to other people. I only perpared a lunch for one and that was me. For a person who can't cook it would be very exciting. I can't wait. It'll be fun

culinary training experience(khadijah)

On Monday , July 24, 2006 we visited City Fare which is a catering company on Franklin Avenue in Hartford CT. It was a very interesting we learned how to zest lemons which I never experienced. Also we made lemon juice which I make all t he time but not from scratch. Moreover we made blueberry cobbler and added pecans and oatmeal on it. It was so good I had to be greedy and ate 4 . (if you would've had one one you would've ate 4 too). the whole purpose of us visiting that catering business is because in about 2 weeks we will be having a luncheon with other gardening groups from New Haven and Boston.

Billigisher Sesay

Hi my name is Billy. Yesterday my group and I went to visit City Fare. Yes I think people need to learn how to cook with fresh ingredientes because it is good for people to eat fresh foods. My experience yesterday was good. I learned how to make the lemonade. What else I hope to learn is how to make the blueberry cobbler and also learn from Fran to make American food.

Alisha Eats the Healthy Sweets

Oh my times does fly! It seems like it would've took me ages just to learn how to make a healthy snack. But no, it only took a few minutes.With just a few items we prepared a nice dessert with a nice cold sweet drink to go along with it. I know you are wondering what we prepared and who helped us prepare it, well I'm going to tell you right known. The nice chef whom helped us was Ms.Fran Reale and she helped us make a nice blueberry cobbler and a fresh homemade glass of lemonade. Yeserday I experienced alot but what I really liked most was when me and my partner khadijah helped juice the lemons to make a natural cup of lemonade. I also learn how to cut properly and how to ZEST the lemons properly. UM UM GOOD!!! The smell of the lemons were so Fresh smelling and all I could think about all day was the smell of the lemons. Through this I experince I hope I could learn alot about cooking healthy so I could teach someone who's willing to learn. ~Alisha Thomas~

Working the Food System

Alisha having fun on the run!!!

As you know my name is Alisha. First of all what I'm going to tell you is I had a great time at the ropes course on Friday the 14 of 2006. I really overcame one of my fears when I went on this exciting field trip. when it was my turn on the flying squirell I was very scared and I went up first so I really felt scared that moment. Well here we go,putting on our harnest getting ready to go upin the air. I ran one way and my team ran the other way.UP UP I go. WOW!!! I was high in the air my legs and arms, just swaying back and forth like a beautiful bird. Last week we learned some plant botany and it was okay only thing I liked about it was the time we played twister. It was a great experienced and to show what we knew about plants and fruits etc. ~Alisha Thomas~ my favorite vegetable is Brocolli

KHADIJAH' S time at the ropes corpse

Its me again(khadijah) I just wanted to let you now about the great time I had at the Polaris ropes corpse. Its funny cause I never been to a ropes corpse but when I went there I was truly amazed we played several games like the Mohawk walk , in which we had to try to keep our balance on a thin cable wire and try to find a strategy in which everyone can make it across safely . ALSO we went on the flying squirrel. Now this game was really scary. We were raised all the way in the air sort of like a rollercoaster but you was attached to a rope and a group of kids were pulling you. it made you feel all tingly inside especially when your feet were no longer on the ground .doesn't sound like alot of fun but wednesday we went to many regional markets like Fowler and we seen how the food get transported from diferent countries and citys to the market we also went into a freezer where they store some of the food at to keep it fresh . seriously it was like 30 degrees in there several people even had on coats . _Khadijah_

Hi, its me Tanaya again and my favorite game at the ropes course was the lifting.This was my favorite because in order for the game to work correctly we had to work as a team.I think that grow hartford worked well together because we all get along and know what makes each other mad and what makes us happy.I believe the ropes course was a good thing to do because it helped us to better ourselves as a team.I learned that its harder to do something by yourself then it is as a group. When Shannon taught us about plant botany we played a game twister but it consisted of leaves,plants,vegetables and seeds.This helped me learn about how plants are alot like us we need certain things in order to perform right.The plant that I eat the most is chards and corn.I think it is important to learn about the plants that we are eating to know if its really healthy and the process it took to get it where it is at.The purpose of the Summer Food Kick-Off event was to get everybody aware of GROW hartford and what we do.I enjoyed my self.The first plant that I planted was called a tomatoes plant, I planted it using organic fertilizer and it was very interesting. Wasa with Warm Feta,Tomatoes, and Herbs 1 cup cherry or grape tomatoes, sliced Salt to taste Freshly ground pepper to taste1 teaspoon olive oil ½ teaspoon chopped oregano ½ teaspoon chopped marjoram ½ teaspoon chopped thyme ½ teaspoon chopped sage 1 ounce reduced-fat feta cheese 2 pieces WASA Light Rye Place tomatoes on a flat plate and microwave on high for 2 minutes. Remove from microwave, sprinkle with salt and pepper and toss. Sprinkle tomatoes with herbs and feta. Return to microwave for 1 additional minute. Spread onto crispbreads. Prep time: 10 minutes

Hi my Name is Billy.My favorite game at the Ropes Course was the name games. I like it because it was fun. During plant botany we played twister and it was good game. I learned about the difference between a vegetable and a fruit. My favorite fruit is watermelon. My favorite vegetable is carots. In the lesson I planted peppers during the class. During in Summer food Kick event, I enjoyed the people coming over to the table to guess the plant and smell it. The plant was oregano. Deep Dish Mexican Pizza Recipe Ingredients:1 thick pizza crustnonstick cooking spray1/2 small onion -- diced1 teaspoon chili powder1/2 teaspoon ground cumin1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon15 ounces black beans -- rinsed and drained2 ounces diced green chiliescornmeal1 cup shredded monterey jack cheese3/4 cup diced tomatoes1/2 cup frozen whole kernel corn -- thawed1/2 green bell pepper -- diced2 ounces sliced ripe black olives -- drained1/2 teaspoon olive oilsalsa -- optionalsour cream -- optional Directions: Prepare Pizza Crust. Preheat oven to 500°F. Spray 2- to 3-quart saucepan with cooking spray. Place over medium heat. Add onion, chili powder, cumin, cinnamon and 1 tablespoon water; stir. Cover and cook 3 to 4 minutes or until onion is crisp-tender. Stir in beans and chilies. Transfer 1/2 of the bean mixture to food processor or blender; process until almost smooth. Spray 14-inch deep-dish pizza pan with nonstick cooking spray; sprinkle with cornmeal. Press dough gently into bottom and up side of pan. Cover with plastic wrap and let stand in warm place 15 to 20 minutes or until puffy. Bake 5 to 7 minutes or until dry and firm on top. Spread pureed bean mixture over crust up to thick edge. Top with half the cheese, remaining bean mixture, tomatoes, corn, bell pepper and olives. Top with remaining cheese. Bake 10 to 12 minutes more or until crust is deep golden. Brush crust edges with olive oil. Cut into wedges. Serve with salsa and sour cream

*~LIZBETH~*

My favorite ropes course activity is the flying squirrel because everyone worked together in a group. In the activity you really had to have trust on the people that were with your group because they were the ones that lift you up almost thirty feet up in the air. Learning about seeds and their different parts was a fun thing to do because of the game that we played, which was twister but instead of the dots being colored they had names of a vegetable, root, stem, flower and fruits. The game really helped me memorize the difference between a stem and a root. The first seeds that we planted in the ground were cilantro seeds. We planted them by placing each seed in hole that we made and covering it with dirt. A good recipe that can be made with cilantro is Cilantro Chicken. CILANTRO CHICKEN 2 tsp. garlic1 tbsp. paprika1/4 c. chopped cilantro1/2 tsp. cumin1/2 tbsp. oil1 tsp. saltFreshly ground pepper3 1/2 lbs. cut up chicken1 chopped onion1 c. chicken broth Combine garlic, paprika, cilantro, cumin, salt and pepper. Make a paste in food processor. Rub paste all over chicken. In large roasting pan, pour broth, place chicken pieces, and cover with onions. Cover with foil and bake 1 1/4 hours at 400 degrees. I really enjoyed the discussion we had with the Hispanic health council. We talked about food that’s healthy for us and we also reviewed the food pyramid. FOOD PYRAMID

Summer Food kick-off event

Field work

crew leader

Hello every body! My name is Jerica Sandiford. Welcome to Grow Hartford. I am the crew leader of the program and will be working with you when you start on Friday. I know we will have fun on this day. I can not wait until we meet. See you then.

I enjoyed the trip to the park. It was fun giving out the seeds to the kids and seeing them guess what kind of plant that we had out on the table. Many people guessed that it was a pepper, mint, and even sausage plant and were suprised when they found out that it was Oregano.

DESMOND

My name is DESMOND. I 'am 15 years. I go to Buckeley.My favorite subject is math.On my free time I play sports. Money makes me happy. I want to learn how to plant to make more money. My favorite thing to eat is fry chicken with french fries. The most important Grow hartford community standard is to be respectful. I will uphold this standard by not interrupting others while talking. Desmond

Lorenzo

Hey, what's going on my name Is Lorenzo. I am sixteen years of age,and currently attend Crec polaris in East Hartford.I will be goinging to the eleventh grade this year.I think that my favorite subject is math,because i'm good with numbers, I like to make equations, and solve problems. On my free time I like to watch video's,play video games,write lyrics,go to studio,and make my own beats.Just sitting back chillin joking with my friends makes me happy.Learning agriculture is what I hope to get out of this program.Lobster is the favorite thing to eat. The most important GROW Hartford community standard is honesty. The way i will uphold this standard is by telling the truth. Lorenzo

Our Talk On real Vegies

Today we meet Angie she showed us that healthy food can be creative and also taste good.Shannon and the reat of the group went into the field and hand picked broccoli,some spices,chards and onions. It was very interesting especially since I've never ate a vegetable that was picked from the ground right in front of me. She took our BMI and our body fat percentages that was cool too. Today I've learned more than one lesson and Iam very appriciative. THANK YOU ANGIE! From kids at GROW Hartford

Whats up out there my name is Tanaya White, I am an African American female of Hartford Connecticut.I attend a school located on Granby Street called Weaver High.My favorite subject in school is black history. I enjoy this class because it enhances my education about my ancesstors and all the pain they went through to get me here. On my free time I enjoy hanging out with my friends and going out to partys. The thing that makes me happy is when I make people around me smile, I enjoy making people laugh. While being in this program I hope to get a better understanding of agriculture and tips on how to better my environment. Personally, I enjoy eating chinese food.The most important Grow hartford standard is BEING TO WORK ON TIME.The way I will uphold this standard is by taking the bus a little earlier so that I get here earlier and I don't have to worry about being late.

My name is Lizbeth, I am 15 years old and go to SMSA. My favorite subject in school is math. Things that I like to do on my free time is watch TV and eat. The thing that makes me happy is being with my twin. I hope to learn how to plant. My favorite thing to eat is a BLT sandwich or chocolate chip cookies and hot fries. The most important GROW hartford community standard is to be on time. The way I will uphold this standard is to come early and wake up early.

Alisha

Hi.....my name is Alisha Thomas and I am a teenager from Hartford, Connecticut. To start my summer off I signed up for a summer job to stay out of trouble. So they ended up putting me in this Grow Hartford program which is turning out alright. Well anyways I go to Classical Magnet in Hartford and I enjoy playing basketbhall, soccer, track and most of all I enjoy dancing (from hip Hop to Reggae). I also love the competition!!! My favorite subject in school is math and latin. The only thing that makes me happy is seeing my friends and family. Evertime I wake up or come home from whatever I was doing. Just by seeing their face puts a smile on my face! By me being in this program I hope to learn a lot even if I'm not feeling to great. My favorite food is BBQ chicken and Curry Shrimp. The most important GROW Hartford community standard is to be RESPECTFUL because that takes up for everything we went over, because thats the most important rule to me.The way I will uphold this standard is to make sure my attitude and my day is going great. ~Alisha Thomas~

Hi My Name Is Billigisher Sesay Im 15 years old I go to Q.m.s. My favorite subjects is math and science. In my free time I like to dance. What makes me happy is to be with friends. I want to get money for the summer to shop. I like rice and soup. The most important Grow Hartford Community standard is be on time and come prepared. I will try to be on time. Billigisher Sesay

Hey....My name is LaToya im fifthteen years old and I attend Hartford Public High. My favorite subject is biology because I received the highest grade in that class. However durning my free time I'll go to the movies, the mall, or just chill out with my friends making sure we stay out to trouble. What makes me happy is family and friends. If they happy we're all happy. From this program I hope to get money so that I fly for school this year. In conclusion my favorite food is every thing . I'll eat anything that I think I would like and had before no other. I believe the most important grow Hartford is community standard is TO BE ON TIME. The way I uphold this standard is that if u want to be responsible for your own actions. If you really want to succeed you must rely on your own. LATOYA...

Wassup my name is Khadijah , I'm from Hartford CT, I'm a junior at Weaver High, I really enjoy working at GROW hartford . Its a very good learning experience we learn various things like how to plant food and how to work with diffrent tools . Sometimes in many cases it may get tiring but at the end of the day you feel good that you planted something thats going to grow into something that can be useful for the animals, people. But not only that, you can use these planting skills with you in the long run of life, also you earn money! When you work at grow hartford there are many rules . Exspecially when working in the garden there are 4 main rules 1. no picking things in the garden . 2. don hurt any living things. 3. dont step on the flower beds 4,be motivated.

HI,I AM JELANI MANSON. I GO TO AI PRINCE TEC . MY FAVORITE SUBJECT IS CULINARY ARTS. IN FREE TIME I PLAY BASKET BALL. BASKETBALL MAKES ME HAPPY.I HOPE TO GET TO LEARN HOW TO PLAY B-BALL. I WOULD LIKE TO BE A COOK AND LEARN MORE ABOUT COOKING. MY FAVORITE FOOD IS CHICKEN AND FRIES. THE MOST IMPORTANT GROW HARTFORD COMMUNITY STANDARD IS NOT TO STEAL.THE WAY I WOULD UPHOLD THIS STANDARD IS BY HANGING WITH GOOD PEOPLE. JELANI MANSON

Hi my name is Michael. I am 15 years old. I go to Classical Magnet. My favorite subject in school is Art. With my free time I like to hang out with my friends, listen to music, play sports, and video games. What I hope to get out of this program is to learn how to work in the garden and money. My Favorite thing to eat is barbaque ribs from Ruby Tuesday's. The most important GROW Hartford community standard is to be honest. The way I will uphold this standard is by telling the truth.

Michael

Young VIDA Rules!!!!

Young VIDA from the Hispanic Health Council have been helping plant carrot beds at Grow Hartford. The youth had a great time and worked real hard. Sweat and tears for Carrots.... Hooray for Carrots! -Damaris Cabrera, Youth Program Coordinator ------------- From Planning, to building to planting the seeds...Thank you for conrtibuting a lasting improvement to GROW Hartford! -Shannon

Volunteers are the BEST!!

"Today I learned about the importance of organic farming, about how to build healthy soil and how to support local farmers. But more importantly, I learned the importance of taking time to reconnect and understand the truly universal link for all living creatures....good, wholesome FOOD!" Laura Nigro, Bingham McCutchen Summer Associate "Gardening is so therapeutic, what a treat it was to get out of the office and get dirty! We planted beans today, I hope the rain doesn't wash them away...thanks for everything Shannon!" Deb King, Recruiting Coordinator, Bingham McCutchen

Strawberries!!!

The rains couldn't dampen our strawberry spirit this season....This year is our first harvest of our new strawberry patch. We planted them last spring and let them establish for a year. With 4 varities to compare we have been happily grazing the patches in between planting cucumbers, weeding and building beds. Volunteers from Community Partners in Action take a break for these little red treasures. The season is mostly over now...but we were able to share this seasonal treat with many volunteers and youth programs. The most common reaction from 5 year old to adults was how much smaller they are from grocerystore strawberries and how much more flavorful!

All in the Name of Progress

Things are growing here at GROW...and not just the weeds and collards. With the help of two great groups, Youthbuild and the Hispanic Health Council's Young Vida youth program, have constructed 4 raised beds of varying materials: plastic lumber, black locust logs and old stumps...Dubbed the root beds, they will be a good place for us to grow beets, carrots, turnips and other root crops in loose crumbly compost. The soil in the garden has not yeilded consistent root crops due to its high clay and water logged tendencies. Young Vida, who came up with several designs for the bed voted on the "Peace Garden' bed design and have already put carrot seeds the ground. Youthbuild, opted for a simple and practical design and planted straw flowers in one of the beds they built, Even though they tried to remind e they are carpenters and not gardeners...I think hope thgey didnt mund getting ther hands int he dirt! Thanks for your hard work and helping to imporve the GROW Hartford garden. - Shannon

Going Full Circle

The time I went to the garden I planted lettuce and strawberry’s it was very fun. My friends had fun to they liked it as much as I did. June 6 was the time we got to eat the lettuce and the strawberries the both things were very good the strawberries were sweet. I HOPE TO VISIT THE GARDEN ONCE MORE. I HAD FUN. - Maria, 5th grade Aetna Center for Families

Life Unfolds in the Garden

It was an exciting discovery last Monday when a group of volunteers found what i had suspected was nearby for the past few weeks, A Killdeer nest! A groundnesting bird, I had seen and heard a pairs sharp crys in the garden. Drawn to human disturbed areas (who the heck knows why?) these birds look right at home with the music of the highway behind them and the rythem of the city around them showing us all the nature can thrive in the city woth a little space and a little respoect. We have to stay away fromt heir nesting sight for another month or so...I guess thats where our late tomatoes will go!

And the season is definetly underway!

It was a beautiful spring day made complete with 10 youth from the Aetna Center for Families. A few weeks back they helped to start tomato, collards, spinach and salad mix seeds that have been vigorously growing in the greenhouse. This week, they transplanted the spinach and salad mix and helped get some more seeds started! -Shannon

Seeding in the green house

Its spring time! We are back in the garden. It is still too cold outside but we are doing alot of seeding in the green house. stay posted Jerica sandiford

Springtime Investigation

Youth from the Aetna Center for Families, helped out with some seed investigation...Besides sun, soil, air, and water; seeds need lots of hands if they are to become the foods we all love. And hands they got when we planted tomatoes, spinach, salad mix and collard greens...Stay tuned as we follow these seeds from the classroom to the greenhouse to the field to our plate! -Shannon

Spring is in the Air

Look closely, no look again, can you see them? A shiny red finger pushing up through the cold soil...Those are Emperor Tulips, planted last October. They have been patiently waiting for longer days and warmer temperatures. Bulbs emerging are the surest sign of the coming spring next to the Robins stepping out! We are tracking the path of spring with a program called Journey North. See how Hartford is part of the national and global project! This Monday is the Vernal Equinox, aka. The First Day of Spring...What does that mean? Stay tuned and you soon see! -Shannon

Opportunities with GROW Hartford!!!

Be An INTERN With the Hartford Food System We are hiring a Food and Garden Educator for the GROW Hartford youth development and urban agriculture program. This exciting opportunity brings together youth development, outdoor education, and urban farming. This position will work closely with the GROW Hartford Program Director to be responsible for developing and implementing the GROW curricula for our youth programs and community education component. About GROW Hartford: GROW Hartford, promotes a sustainable and equitable food system in Hartford by cultivating community leadership, nutrition and food education and agricultural entrepreneurship. We operate a half acre organic urban mini-farm and farmers market with the GROW youth crew. GROW curricula explores youth leadership and fosters innovative community action related to food justice, and sustainable agriculture. Check out our blog and see what we are up to, www.growhartford.blogspot.com Responsibilities Include >Teaching and developing current youth program curricula and community education curricula connecting sustainable food systems and the environment, cooking and nutrition, community organizing and cultivating youth leadership, > Supervising and assisting with coordination of GROW Hartford youth crew, community education groups, and volunteers including field work, field trips and educational programming, > Working in the garden leading work projects with youth and volunteers including weeding, harvesting, planting and special garden projects. > Working with program director with Outreach goals. Key Attributes · Proven teaching capabilities and youth development experience, · Strong leadership skills with knowledge of program planning, interest in forging community relationships and collaborative projects, · Ability and experience working with diverse populations, under-resourced communities in a flexible and dynamic outdoor setting, · A commitment to creating a healthy Hartford, with an interest in nutrition, cooking, gardening, and food justice, · Willingness to work outside, in sometime adverse weather, on garden projects that will get your hands dirty!. · Ability to be flexible and creative, think on your feet and an appreciation for good food a plus! COMMITMENT: 15 hour per week + some Saturdays, beginning June and runs through August. TO APPLY: Send a letter of interest and resume to Shannon Raider, Program Director GROW Hartford, Hartford Food System, 191 Franklin Ave. Hartford, CT 06114, (860)296.9325 or email Shannon@hartfordfood.org. The Hartford Food System is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women and people of color strongly encouraged to apply.

just checking in

Just thought I’ll say hi to every one. It’s getting busy, and im ready for the season to start. It is too cold for me. A lot has been going on this winter. For me I have been preparing myself for college. I have been accepted into three schools. Those schools are Capital Community College, the University of Hartford and Central Connecticut State University. Wish me luck! Jerica Sandiford

PRECIOUS SAYING WHAT UP

I WONT TO SAY HI TO YA -YA I MISS YOU MY DARLIN AND THAT HOW IS SCHOOL AND TELL YOU THAT YOU CAN CALL ME AT 548-1413 AND I WONT YOU TO CALL ME TOO DONT BE ACTING STUPID AND DONT CALL AND WHAT ELSE DO I WONT TO SAY OH YEAH HI JERICA, MEKIYALA SORRY IF I SPELLED YOU NAME WRONG HI, CLIVENS RAYCION ,CLIFFORD HOW YOU DOING AND HI SHANON WHATS POPPIN AND THANKS 4 THE PAPERS IN THE MELL REALLY HOPE TO SEE YOU SOON...

whats up (precious)

i just want to say hi and tell shanon that im doing the thing at school thanks 4 the time we had together holla"