Community Garden News from Raising Richland and NECIC.

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Greetings Garden Friends,

Wondering what to do with your excess garden squash? Learn how to use them in healthy soups at Tuesday's market. You can also stock up on fruits and veggies at the market, then learn how to preserve and store them at our community potluck on Sept. 10. Read all about it below:

News from NECIC & Raising Richland
- Sept. 1: Healthy Soup Cooking Demo at North End Farmers Market
- Sep. 10: Preserving and Storing Foods Class & Community Potluck
- New Construction at Teaching Garden
- Apply Now - Interviewing Has Begun!

News from Our Friends
- This Weekend: 61st Fall Harvest Show at Kingwood

Links and Info for Your Garden
- The Pawpaw: Foraging For America's Forgotten Fruit
- VIDEO: Growing Lettuce & Salad Leaves in Containers
- ID and Prevent 6 Common Tomato Diseases

Happy Harvest!

~Jean

Jean Taddie
Community Garden/Local Foods Program Coordinator
North End Community Improvement Collaborative
199 N. Main Street
PO Box 954
Mansfield, OH 44901-0954
www.necic-ohio.org
(419) 525-3101

199 N. Main St.
P.O. Box 954
Mansfield, Ohio 44901

Tel. (419) 525-3101
Fax (567) 247-1594
info@necic-ohio.org

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NECIC & Raising Richland News

Sept. 1: Healthy Soup Cooking Demo at North End Farmers Market

By: Melissa Freeman, NECIC Intern

It is hard to believe that summer is almost over, but the good news is the North End Farmers Market runs all the way to October! Come experience what fresh and homegrown tastes like.

There is nothing like fresh grilled veggies, paired with a locally raised, lean burger with a side of watermelon or cantaloupe or those fresh berries to add to a bowl of cereal in the morning. We have everything you need for a quick and delicious dinner including fresh fruits and vegetables, herbs and herb blends, sourdough and delicacy breads, honey, maple syrup and desserts.

Now that the kids are back in school we also have great gifts for them to give their friends include rubberband 3-D figurines, jewelry, artwork and more. Get some fall landscaping done with potted and cut flowers as well as some Vermacompost. We have something for everyone of every age.

FREE HEALTHY SOUP SAMPLES & RECIPES: September 1st, Marlys Slone, a Registered Dietitian from Ohio Health MedCentral will be doing a healthy soups demonstration at noon using produce that can be purchased at the market. Free samples and recipes will be provided. Get ready for those chilly fall evenings!

A special thanks to Richland Public Health and Mid-Ohio Spine and Injury Centers for doing free blood pressure and spinal screenings during the August 18th market. Our thanks also goes to Bob Crawford from PowerSafe Studios for his stacked dutch oven demonstration. Bob prepared delicious cornish game hens, stuffing, roasted potatoes and a dump cake. Bob also treated the kids of the market to ice cream cones.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! Join the North End Farmers Market family. Age does not matter, we have something for everyone to do. Tasks include taking pictures, harvesting produce from the garden, hospitality, initial SNAP cards, helping vendors set up and tear down, keep the area clean and tidy, smile, laugh and have fun! It can be a one time commitment or all season long! Gain work experience, meet new members of the community, experience the behind the scenes, learn how NECIC is working in your community. Volunteering even an hour of your time is a great way to connect with the community. Interested in joining the family? Call Jean at 419-525-3101.

Please share the word that we accept cash, Ohio Direction and Farmers Market WIC. All throughout the season we are able to double benefits for Direction Card shoppers. We thank the Fran and Warren Rupp Advised Fund of the Richland County Foundation for the ability to offer this program.

Make it a point to see us at Tuesday’s North End Farmers Market located at the Gateway Resource Center (486 Sprinmill St) from 11am-2:00pm. For more information call NECIC at 419-525-3101 or visit
http://www.facebook.com/nefm2014.

Sep. 10: Preserving and Storing Foods Class & Community Potluck

Reminder - North End Community Improvement Collaborative will be hosting a free Guide to Preserving and Storing class September 10, 2015 from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. at NECIC, 199 N. Main St. Mansfield.

The class will be given by Belinda Morgan, Community Gardener and Melissa Freeman, Ashland Dietetics Student. Participants will discuss the benefits of preserving, learn different methods and tips on preserving and storage, learn how to properly preserve food for extended periods of time and taste samples of preserved foods.

This event is free and open to all Richland County Residents.

Participants are encouraged to bring a covered dish for a potluck during the class. To RSVP or for more information, please call NECIC (419-525-3101).

Invite your friends!
https://www.facebook.com/events/1628441534071283/

New Construction at Teaching Garden

Stop and check out NECIC's Teaching Garden on Blust Ave. Major improvements are currently underway! Tunnel Visions has finished the installation of our 20x40 foot hoop house (unheated greenhouse), and our fence is being installed this week. This follows installing a water line, removing trees, excavating the site, and much more.

Oh, and we're still growing food and selling it at the North End Farmers Market, too.

Watch this newsletter for info on upcoming classes and of course a great big ribbon cutting celebration.

Want to get involved and learn how to grow healthy food year round? Join with us! Contact Jean Taddie @ 419-525-3101 or jean@necic-ohio.org if you'd like to volunteer, teach, learn or get involved in your own way.

NECIC would like to thank all of our partners, volunteers, vendors and supporters. Special thanks go to the Fran and Warren Rupp Advised Fund of the Richland County Foundation and the Creating Healthy Communities Project of Richland Public Health, whose financial support makes this work possible!

Apply Now - Interviewing Has Begun!

Imagine Mansfield filled with abundant food gardens that nourish healthy people in a thriving community. Visualize a vibrant local foods scene where neighbors grow for market and bring home extra spending money. Now imagine yourself actively engaged in this work as an Americorps VISTA (Volunteers In Service to America).

NECIC is currently recruiting for an AmeriCorps VISTA member!
Join our Community Gardens/Local Foods team for a year-long VISTA assignment starting November 16, with the possibility of renewal for an additional year.

This position will support the startup of our North End Local Foods Initiative, with work duties focusing on three key areas:

- Develop resources for the Market Garden Incubator Program, targeting low- to moderate-income growers.
- Increase capacity by building partnerships and collaborations to support urban agriculture and healthy local foods projects.
- Increase access to fresh food by developing new outlets for local market growers.

In addition to professional development and networking, this position offers a cost of living stipend, plus the choice of either an end of term education award or monetary stipend.

For more details about the position or to apply go to:
https://my.americorps.gov/mp/listing/viewListing.do?id=59129

Americorps VISTA is a program of the Corporation for National Community Service, for more details on VISTA goals and priorities see:
http://www.nationalservice.gov/programs/americorps/americorps-vista

Also Recruiting for Teaching Garden Coordinator
As mentioned last week, we are also recruiting for a Teaching Garden Coordinator. Our ideal candidate will have a mix of agricultural, educational and entrepreneurial skills. This position is made possible through the generous support of the Fran and Warren Rupp Advised Fund of the Richland County Foundation.

Applications should be received by this weekend! View the full job posting on NECIC's home page: http:// www.necic-ohio.org

Contact NECIC for More Info
If you or someone you know would like more information about one or both of these positions, please contact me at 419-525-3101 or jean@necic-ohio.org.

Join with us and help us GROW!

News From Our Friends

This Weekend: 61st Fall Harvest Show at Kingwood

Source: Kingwood Center Gardens

Reminder: The Fall Harvest Show, sponsored by the Mansfield Men’s Garden Club, will be held on August 29 and 30, 2015. The show will be open for viewing, free with admission to Kingwood, on Saturday, August 29, from 2 to 5 p.m. and on Sunday, August 30, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Kingwood Meeting Hall.

Area gardeners are invited to show their best vegetables, flowers, fruits, herbs, houseplants, and flower arrangements, and to compete for prizes in many different categories. Entries will be accepted on Saturday, August 29, from 7 to 11 a.m. An electric golf cart and hand carts will be available to transport entries to the Meeting Hall during this time. Show schedules and other information may be obtained at Kingwood.

Junior gardeners, through grade 12, may also exhibit their vegetables, flowers, gourds and pumpkins.

The theme for the artistic division is “Garden Inspirations.” Among the classes for adults are “The Water Garden,” “The Rock Garden,” “The Fairy Garden,” “The Garden Gate,” “The Vegetable Garden,” “The Perennial Garden,” and “The Garden Wall.” Juniors may also enter these classes by adding a “J” and age to the class number on the entry card.

For more information about this and other activities at Kingwood, please contact us Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., at 419/522-0211.

Links & Info For Your Garden

The Pawpaw: Foraging For America's Forgotten Fruit

Source: National Public Radio (NPR)

The pawpaw is a tropical-type fruit native to North America with a long and almost forgotten history. Thomas Jefferson once prized it, and now scientists are looking at whether the pawpaw can claim some health benefits, along with cachet. NPR's Tiny Desk Kitchen goes on the hunt for this tasty treat.

Read the story here:
http://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2011/09/29/140894570/the-pawpaw-foraging-for-americas-forgotten-fruit

VIDEO: Growing Lettuce & Salad Leaves in Containers

Source: Mother Earth News

Cut-and-come-again salad leaves are quick and easy to grow and small enough to fit into almost any container, making them perfect for gardeners with limited time or space.

In this short video, follow our step-by-step guide to enjoy fresh salads direct from your garden in next to no time:
https://youtu.be/4xpT2jcTdV8?list=PL3VEy0_tuFgSA596wd13Ka2UfA3Pw0S1s

ID and Prevent 6 Common Tomato Diseases

Source: Mother Earth News

Learn how to spot the symptoms of several tomato diseases, including early blight, late blight and nematodes, and adopt strategies to keep your plants healthy:
http://www.motherearthnews.com/organic-gardening/growing-tomatoes/common-tomato-diseases-zm0z15fmzsto.aspx

Copyright © 2015 North End Community Improvement Collaborative, Inc. (NECIC), All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is:
P.O. Box 954
199 N. Main St.
Mansfield, Ohio 44901

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