Hi everyone,

As many of you may already know, the reason that I'm able to devote time to initiatives like Calgary Urban Agriculture and the "Rachel Grows Project" from last May, is because I have been supported by a scholarship from the Millennium Foundation. This means that instead of a full time job, I'm lucky enough to work with different volunteer and community initiatives.

This year, the foundation is closing its doors. It has been running for 15 years, and is at the end of its funding. All the scholarship recipients will receive the remainder of their funding. However, the Foundation will no longer be able to provide the programming it used to which kept all of us laureates in touch with each other, offering support and knowledge for the wide variety of programs we are interested in.

It has been an inspiration to me to see some of the laureates coming forward to bear the torch- we have organized and planned, and have been able to set forward a plan for the new Millennium Network. The Millennium Network will continue the programming (as best we are able,) for years to come. Part of what we're doing to put together an initial investment is competing in the Aviva Community Fund Competition, for a potential $50,000 worth of funding. We've already made it to the semi-finals, with over 4000 votes over 2 weeks. Aside from the competition, we have already raised nearly $10,000 nationally. Winning this competition would give us a level of stability that most startup not-for-profits don't see for years.

So- this is something of a solicitation for help. We're not looking for donations, just for a few minutes. If you could sign up (just an email address and name) at http://www.tinyurl.com/voteMN to vote on the competition, I would really appreciate it. The last round was really down to the wire, so every vote we can get counts. Whether having your help means a few votes, or a vote once a day, or forwarding this message to all of your friends and asking them to vote as well, I'll be really happy for any help at all. If you're interested in a daily reminder to vote throughout the competition, please feel free to let me know.

Thanks so much for all of your support and friendship. It means a lot that I have a community to look to for support.

Rachel

South Calgary Community: Fall Harvest Potluck!

Just got this email today:

Everyone in the community is welcome:

gardeners and volunteers, families, friends, and neighbours, and those interested in gardening with us next season.

Bring your favourite dish - share your company and meet others in the community. Talk about gardening or find out more about communtity gardening for the 2010 season. There will also be a wine bar.

Sunday, November 15th

6pm to 9pm

South Calgary Community Centre Lower Hall

3130 16th Street SW

RSVP would be extremely nice but is not essential.

Email us at info@communitycrop.org

A reminder from Gael

You Are Invited! A reminder for...

"Cheating the Calgary Climate: An Evening with Lyndon Penner on how to
extend the food growing season"

Sunday November 1, 2009 7:00-9:00PM
Unitarian Church of Calgary, 1703 1st Street NW
*See Attached Poster For Details*
Admission is free
Dessert and beverages provided
Families Welcome
Bring your Friends

Reservations urged by e-mail to garden.harfest@gmail.com

What's happening in the off season?

It seems that things with CUA always start to slow down this time of year. It's always very appropriate, as the winter rolls in and we work a bit more, we seem to lose touch with the gardening community.

Veronika made an interesting comment on the google group recently. She expressed an interest in greenhouses, with the idea of extending the growing year. Here are her comments:

"I think we need to look at creating year round greenhouses in which we can grow mass veggies and fruits within the city. We should try and see if we can start looking for space and advocating for this within Calgary. Maybe even a muli-level green house, green space for families to come and help grow their food year round and just hang out in."

This seems like a really timely idea. I'd love to hear if there is more support for this within the community. I would be happy to start doing some research if there were more people wanting to get involved.

Updates!

A note from Paul:

The Calgary Food Policy Council & Big Rock present The Calgary Food Summit on World Food Day, 16Oct09

The Calgary Food Policy Council is hosting the groundbreaking Calgary Food Summit (CFS) on World Food Day, October 16th, 2009. The CFS is an inclusive opportunity for all those actively involved and working towards improving our local & regional food system.

The objective of the CFS, the first ever event of this type for Calgary, is to discuss progressive policy that will create and build an enhanced food security, food justice, food efficiency, urban ag, community garden & sustainable ag landscape in Calgary.

As we often conduct our affairs independent of other local initiatives, bringing all the participants in our food systems together is an ideal way for our communities to celebrate World Food Day. The timing for local convergence's is fantastic, being on the heels of an amazing summer, harvest & the unparalleled growth, awareness and development of the sustainable food movement in North America.

If you are interested in attending or volunteering, please contact Paul Hughes.

Looks important

An email I just received from Kirti Bhadresa, via Tavis:

(I edited it down a bit for brevity.)

Hi everyone,

Some of you may know Kris Vestor of Blue Mountain Biodynamic Farm, and may already know about this event.  Kris is an amazing local farmer and individual who has been a strong advocate for local healthy food for a long time (among other things that he gets involved in as an activist). 

His farm was hit by a recent storm and most of his crops and buildings were destroyed.  Arusha, along with The Coup and Sunnyside Market, are putting together this fundraiser for Kris.  The bands are great - and it'll be a super fun night.  The event info is attached.

Also, Dave Robinson is looking for volunteers (so you'd get in for free)!  If you could volunteer, please email him at videogrp@telus.net

And Tara may still be looking for donations for a silent auction.  Her email is tara_sukut@hotmail.com if you have any items to donate.

See you there next Friday!  It'd be great if you could also pass the word around.
Kirti Bhadresa, Calgary Dollars Coordinator

A message from Gael of the Community Garden Resource Network

Thrive: Calgary's Community Economic Development Network
Join your voluntary sector, business and government colleagues with an interest in promoting community in Calgary because community economic development helps to create sustainable cities!

You are invited to join The Garden Path Society of Calgary as they share how they contribute to community well-being and sustainability through community gardening. Enjoy a locally-grown, after work snack from the garden as we learn about how the Garden Path Society contributes to CED practice by:

- Operating the Urban Garden Cooperative, which provides Calgarians a place to grow and harvest their own vegetables. Profilts from the u-pick are reinvested back into the Society

- Operating Cornucopia, which distributes the garden's abundant harvest to Calgary-based charities.

- Providing a welcoming way for community members to reduce their environmental footprint through local, organic gardening.

Date: Thursday, September 10, 2009
Time: 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Location: Garden Path Society of Inglewood
2297 17 Street SE
(Behind the Colonel Walker School Yard)

Please RSVP by Friday September 4

For more information please contact:
Brenna Atnikov
403-204-2668
www.thrivecalgary.org