You are invited to attend one or more of these events and if you want to know more about local urban ag policies take a look at the resources and documents on the Resource page under Community Garden Policy Issues.

Riley has introduced Tumblr to the Community Garden Network. Our SDCGNetwork Tumblr is an easy way for you to share news about your garden, garden stories, upcoming events, classes, photos and even videos with the community gardening world.

If you have something you want to contribute send your content to SDCGNetwork@gmail.com and Riley will post it for you.

There’s no need to worry if you haven’t gotten past social media 101. Riley will do all the work for you. Wherever you are, just go to our website, SDCGN.org , look to your right and halfway down the page to find our SDCGNetwork Tumblr and all the latest community garden news.

Join El Cajon as it celebrates the gardens!

Family-friendly activities and events will be taking place around town on February 23rd, with a garden-inspired lunch special at the El Cajon Brewing Company!  Starting at 3:30 p.m., join the IRC-KP El Cajon Community Garden as they host a Seed-ball Activity and a meditation as the sun sets over the valley.  

Finally, a “name the garden” contest for El Cajon residents will be held by the IRC-KP!  Now that there are more then 6 gardens blooming in El Cajon, members feel that this garden needs a name that identifies their garden and sets its apart.  Community garden organizers are looking forward to your fun and creative input!

Hope to see you there =)

26-27 February, 2013: Fresh Fruits & Vegetables: a Centerpiece for a Healthy School Environment. A two-day course where you’ll learn fun and interactive ways to increase availability and consumption of fresh fruits & vegetables at your school. For more information and to register, please visit www.healthyschoolenvironment.org.

25 April, 2013: Garden Enhanced Nutrition Education (GENE). A workshop for school staff and community partners focusing on using the garden as a tool for teaching about nutrition and healthy eating. This workshop will take place at Lakeside Middle School. Click here for more information and how to sign up.

26 April, 2013: GENE Train-the-Trainer. This workshop is a unique training opportunity for experienced garden educators and support professionals who would like to replicate the GENE workshop for educators in their area. The workshop will take place at the RCD’s office in Lakeside – please note participants must also attend the GENE course on the 25^th and participants are eligible to apply for a $550 grant to put on their own GENE workshop. Click here for more information.

Questions? Contact Ann Baldridge at ann.baldridge@rcdsandiego.org

Heads Up!!

Community Housing Works is launching a brand new community garden in Escondido, CA and is looking for volunteers to join their steering committee which will begin on March 9^th from 9am-1pm!  Victory Gardens will be hosting the Garden Education Series which will be free of cost to the committee members.

People interested can sign up online via their online survey (http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/X3WNT32) or by contacting CCRH intern Chevelle Mondays/Wednesdays at 619-282-6647 x 6536 or CNewell@chworks.org

Looking for a great way to get involved in the North County garden community?  Look no further!  

North County Community Garden Services host a drop-in volunteer program in the garden on Mondays from 9am-11am and the 2nd Saturday of every month from 10am-12pm.  

Hope to see you there!

Niki Mazaroli, of the International Rescue Committee (IRC) in San Diego, sent along the following announcement that I just couldn’t wait to share with this community! 

“We are excited to announce the Land Bank program at the IRC in San Diego! As you may know, the Food Security and Community Health program works with  refugee and low-income residents to become farmers that grow fresh, sustainably-grown produce at local farms and community gardens. These farmers have participated in IRC farm training programs and are in need of their own land to develop farm businesses. The IRC Land Bank is working to connect these farmers with land in nearby communities. Whether you have a vacant urban lot, you know someone with land, or you just want to help us get the word out, we’d love to hear from you!”

So, let’s get to it! For more information please visit the Land Bank website or call/email Niki, the Land Bank Coordinator, at Niki.Mazaroli@Rescue.org or +1 619 641 7510 ext. 302.