Projects

Local Food Resource Hubs

The Local Food Resource Hubs Network supports residents to grow their own fresh produce, helping to ensure greater food security and healthy food access. Hub members are part of neighborhood gardening networks who support each other through the growing season.  By joining, you'll also have access to free or low-cost classes, tools, volunteer opportunities and social events.

Please note: The seedling distributions have already passed (May 18th), so seedlings are no longer part of 2013 Hub memberships. We do still have seeds left, and there are many other benefits of becoming a member and connecting with other gardeners in your neighborhood. Click here to arrange to pick up your seeds from the Gardening Matters office .

To join a Hub, sign up online now! Or, download the printable sign-up form with program information.

Check out the strawberry growing guide and the raspberry growing guide, both from University of MN Extension! 

Informational flyer available in Espanol * Hmoob * English

 If you have any questions, contact Mallory at mallory@gardeningmatters.org or 612-821-2358. Read more »

Bloomington, Edina, and Richfield Gardens

Bloomington Public Health offered funding to new and expanding community gardens in Bloomington, Edina and Richfield through SHIP, the Statewide Health Improvement Program.   SHIP is funded by the Minnesota Department of Health for the purpose of increasing opportunities for active lifestyles and healthy eating, and decreasing the incidence of diet-related chronic disease. Read more »

Land Access

Land Access and Permanency & Urban Agriculture Alliance  Read more »

Garden Gleaning

The Need

The need for food assistance is on the rise, and food shelves are struggling to meet the community need for fresh, healthy produce. The initiative aims to build neighborhood engagement around local hunger issues.  

We can help Read more »

Compostadores

 

We can help your community garden get composting!  
Discover the wealth you create together  

The Compostadores program of Gardening Matters is dedicated to building a neighborhood-based infrastructure that allows organic recyclables (i.e. food scraps) to be created into compost.   Read more »

Homegrown South

Homegrown South is a new initiative focused on creating a healthy and sustainable local food network in the
south metro. Inspired by Homegrown Minneapolis, Homegrown South aims to bring together individuals,
organizations, businesses, schools and governments as collaborative partners to grow, process, distribute and
Read more »

Hennepin County Gardens

We extend our deep appreciation to Hennepin County Public Health Promotion and Blue Cross Blue Center for Prevention for supporting community garden development in Greater Hennepin County for 2011 and 2012.  With addition funding from Hennepin County Community Works in 2011, 18 gardens were created or expanded during this period to provide space and support for people to grow their own fresh produce, share the harvest with those who can not afford it, and to connect with neighbors and the earth, and ultimately have the opportunity to eat healthier and be more active.  

If you have any questions about this, please contact Kirsten (612-821-2358)

 

Hennepin County Community Gardens 2012 Funding Program

In the 2012 growing season, Gardening Matters will work with groups in suburban Hennepin County to start or expand a community garden.   The focus is on creating gardens in communities with limited access to fresh, high-quality produce. The 2012 mini-grant recipients are:

  • 5.2 Communiy Garden, Brooklyn Park
  • CAPI Garden, Brooklyn Center
  • Crossings Community Garden, Brooklyn Center
  • Garden at HopeBridge, New Hope 
  • Grow Gardens, Mound

This funding program is being provided by Hennepin County Healthy Eating Minnesota (HEM).  HEM is funded by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota’s Center for Prevention, and is focused on increasing access to fresh fruits and vegetables and also has the long-term goal of reducing obesity and tobacco use and the incidence and cost of related chronic diseases. 

Community gardens enable individuals to grow fresh vegetables and fruit, which are key to fighting these chronic diseases.  Community gardens also provide physical exercise and fresh air, and do so in a community of support with other food growers.

Questions? Contact Margaret at 612-821-2358 or margaret@gardeningmatters.org

 

 

FOR GRANT RECIPIENTS

REQUIREMENTS

  • Attend the orientation session, May 14th from 7-8:30pm at Brookdale Library in Brooklyn Center.
  • Sign a funding agreement before receiving funds
  • Submit receipts to Gardening Matters for reimbursement within 30 days of purchase.  Receipts will be reimbursed up the full amount of the award between May 1 and October 1, 2011.  
  • Funds must be spent by October 1, 2012
  • Host a site visit with Gardening Matters in June or July
  • Submit an Interim Report by July 15 along with pictures/video of the garden
  • Submit a Final Report by November 1, 2011, along with pictures/video of the garden

IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS

TIMELINE AND DEADLINES

Monday, May 14th, 2012 7:00-8:30pm
Orientation Session for Grantees
Brookdale Library—Rooms A&B
6125 Shingle Creek Parkway
Brooklyn Center, MN 55430

May-September 2012
Spend funds, submit receipts for reimbursement to Gardening Matters within 30 days of purchase, record donations in the donations log

October 1st, 2012
All funds must be spent

July 15st, 2012
Interim progress report due

July or August, 2012
Host at least one site visit with Gardening Matters

August 11, 2012
Community Garden Day-host an event for the public in your garden!

November 1st, 2012
Final project report due

PAST GRANTEES
The following community gardens in Hennepin County recieved funding in 2011.

5.2 Project/Crossroads Community Garden Brooklyn Park
GROW Gardens, Mound
Hope Grows, New Hope
Louisiana Court Community Garden, St. Louis Park
Maple Terrace Garden, Maple Plain
Mount Calvary Community Garden, Excelsior
Odyssey-Vinai Community Garden, Brooklyn Center
Southbrook Park Community Garden, Brooklyn Park/Crystal
Victory-Peace Garden, Golden Valley

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