Issue # 9 | March 2012

in this issue
NPFI 2012 - pg. 1 Donations Needed - pg. 1 Apartment Gardening - pg. 2 Volunteer Spotlight - pg. 2 Winter Recipe - pg. 3 The Harvest Calendar - pg. 4

3rd Annual Non-Perishable Food Item Pageant Crowns Green Bean King and Queen

Donations Needed
Spring is near, and so too is the start of our 2012 garden season. Last year, we were fortunate to be able to serve over 140 families in the community with our Community Garden, Backyard Garden, and educational programs. We hosted 2 free summer camps for more than 100 youth, we donated over 1,000 pounds of tomatoes to local food pantries, and we created over 500 hours of volunteer opportunities. We had a lot of help though. This year, as we attempt to expand our reach into the community, while maintaining existing initiatives, we are in need of a little outside assistance to keep things rolling.

After two weeks of collections and selfless promotion by pageant participants, the 3rd Annual NPFI Pageant was a major success. Sixteen participants representing Peaches, Pears, Pineapple, Kidney Beans, Chili, Green Beans, Peas, and Carrots collected 944 cans (891.44 lbs) for the benefit of Sugartree Ministries and Clinton County Services for the Homeless. This years prince and princess teams, who were nominated by members of the WC community, could be seen wearing buttons and sashes around campus in the weeks leading up to the pageant. They collected their respective items from classmates, co-workers, and family. Mike Allbright, Director of Housing at WC advertised his campaign on Facebook, inviting friends from near and far to send peaches (or money). We were told that a check showed up on the morning of the pageant written out to Big Mike Peach Prince. Cashing it was, needless to say, a little challenging, but with the money collected, the Peach Prince went out and bought several cases of peaches which he carted up to the TOP on a dolly on the night of the event. In total, he and his princess, Abby Helterbrand,

collected 268 cans of peaches, but it wasnt enough for the win. In fact, they were one point shy of second, which went to the Kidney Bean Prince and Princess (WC Professor, Michael Snarr & Asha Cornett). The pageant winners were Saraya Arnold and Kurt Egbert, the 2012 NPFI Queen and King with 284 points.

The Peach Prince and Princess

On hand for the evening was Joni Streber who was crowned the NPFI Queen in 2011. She spoke of her year-long reign and how she used her crown to inspire others to give back. Ken Lydy, Associate VP of Student Affairs, emceed the event and a panel of three judges NPFI Contd on Pg. 2

At this time, we are in dire need of operational funds, which would cover Donations Contd on Pg. 3

Grow Food, Grow Hope Garden Initiative | Wilmington College | 1870 Quaker Way | 1145 Pyle Center | Wilmington, OH 45177

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Grow Food, Grow Hope Newsletter

Apartment Gardening: plants, projects and recipes for growing food in your urban home A book review by Rachel King
When one thinks of Wilmington, urban is not usually the adjective that comes to mind. However, the book Apartment Gardening: plants, projects and recipes for growing food in your urban home by Amy Pennington offered lots of practical solutions on growing your own food in a small space in container gardens. I, like many people, live in an apartment complex. I have no porch, yard or area of my own in which to grow food. Initially, I thought this was the be all end all of my gardening adventure, and that it would be impossible for me to grow my own food. However, Pennington offers lots of practical solutions in a user-friendly way that both yard-less and those with acres of land can use to grow their own food in containers. To begin your own successful container garden, all you need is a pot, a potting soil medium, seeds and the desire to grow your own food. Pennington recommends choosing one of three sized containers (small, medium or large) in which to plant your seeds or to build a container out of wood or other recycled materials to fit your unique needs. A small container is less than eight inches in height and is good for plants such as: hardy herbs, microgreens like arugula, chamomile and strawberries. Pennington doesnt recommend using too many small pots as they inhibit root development and ultimately lead to your plant not having enough room to grow and develop into something you want to eat. A medium sized container would be between eight and sixteen inches deep and works well for: radishes, lettuce, beets, turnips, thyme, dill, chives, mint, lavender, nasturtium and lemon balm. A large sized container is any container deeper than sixteen inches that would be a suitable container in which to grow: cucumber, snap peas, tomatoes, zucchini, lemon verbena, lovage, borage, squash, and peppers. Pennington also discusses the three materials from which pots can be made: clay, plastic and wood. She recommends plastic as it is the cheapest, retains water well, can be painted to reflect your personality and can easily be moved from place to play. However, she says that clay pots work well too as they are fairly sturdy, and states that the roots will have a better opportunity to air out in a clay pot to avoid root rot. Pennington also states the benefits of wooden planters due to their durability in all weather conditions, but cautions that plants tend to dry out quickly in wooden planters. If you are interested in growing food at your home, this is book is free of technical jargon and one of the most userfriendly introductions to container gardening that I have come across. Being a rather novice gardener myself, I appreciate Penningtons explanations of the container gardening process and how to keep my plants from being one on a long list of my plant casualties. For more information, please read Penningtons book, visit the gallery section of her website (www.gogogreengarden.com) or browse the gardening section at your local library or bookstore.

NPFI Contd from Pg. 1

comprised of WC Faculty member Art Brooks, Sonya Koehler, a former VISTA with GFGH, and Sheila Caruso from Sugartree Ministries scored pageant participants on a range of talents including singing, joke-telling, magic, and athletic ability, as well as a

Volunteer Spotlight
Grow Food, Grow Hope is fortunate to have a home base on the grounds of Wilmington College. We have a wonderful relationship with this institution of higher learning, founded on the values of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers). In line with the core values of the Quakers, students who attend Wilmington College are encouraged to take part in community service activities as a means of making a living, making a life, and making a difference. Certain groups take the mission of service a step further, as is certainly the case with the Greek Organizations who call WC home. One sorority comes to mind as being especially committed to this cause. Delta Theta Sigma Lil Sis has had a hand in multiple events and service opportunities offered by Grow Food, Grow Hope. In the past three years, DTS Lil Sis has served a combined 178.5 hours with us. In 2011 and the beginning of 2012, members of the sorority served 57.5 hours, helping out at Read & Seed, Learn + Grow, and Mobile Garden Unit lessons at local schools, serving during the MLK Day of Service, and helping to count donations collected

The NPFI Queen and King

question and answer portion. Each contestant left with a prize can full of goodies, healthy recipes, and seed packets, as well as a certificate of achievement. The king and queen, 1st and 2nd runners up, as well as the judges and one lucky member of the audience left with a gift certificate for 2 free burritos, generously donated by Chipotle of Jeffersonville.

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during our recent NPFI Pageant. They made baked goods and wrote thank you letters to Veterans for our 9/11 Day of Service last September. They served food to guests at our 3rd Annual Farm to Table Dinner, and most recently, Saraya Arnold, agreed to sit on the newly established GFGH Advisory Council, as part of an effort to garner increased involvement by leaders of the community. Arnold, who was also crowned NPFI Queen last month has been a member of DTS Lil' Sis for 3 years. She is also a committee member of Relay for Life of Wilmington College, an event which GFGH participates in each year. Her enthusiasm for our program's initiatives is infectious; Whenever she is involved, there are likely a

handful of her sisters in close step, asking how they can be of help. DTS Lil Sis alumnus are a facet of our organization in other ways as well. In June of last year, Michelle Kerschner joined the staff at GFGH. She pledged with the sorority in 2008 and completed many of her volunteer hours at GFGH. Jennifer Kerschner, a past VISTA

with GFGH, who finished her term in August last year, also was a member of DTS Lil' Sis, becoming a member in 2005. Shannon Bywaters, another member of DTS Lil Sis, has been very involved in our youth programs, volunteering with Learn + Grow, the Mobile Garden Unit, and Read & Seed. She also was instrumental during the disaster kit drives held last month by GFGH for the benefit of the Cincinnati Chapter of the Red Cross. In just the past two months, 16 members of the WC Chapter of DTS Lil Sis have volunteered with GFGH. We value their service, and invite others to recognize their commitment to community. We simply couldnt do all that we do without people like them. Thanks DTS Lil Sis!

Donations contd from Pg. 1 the costs of everything from office supplies and cooking demo ingredients, to fuel for our Mobile Garden Unit, and supplies for educational programs. We are also in need of garden supplies and tools. Building just one raised bed costs over $150 when we factor in the cost of lumber, soil and plants, thus donations of such building materials, would be immensely helpful. We also need gardening tools and we could greatly benefit from having a rototiller to call our own.
If you would like to make a donation to Grow Food, Grow Hope, please contact our Program Manager, Meghan Otto, at (937)382-6661 ext. 321 or send an email to growfoodgrowhope@wilmington.edu. All donations would count as a taxable deduction.

Spring Recipe: Baked Onion Rings

Give a Gift...
Bag of soil Gas card Nails & Screws Kroger Gift Card

Lumber Gardening Tools Tomato Stakes Rototiller Garden Hose

Hammers Ziplock Bags Plates & Cups Wheelbarrow

- 2 cups dried breadcrumbs - 1 large egg - 1/2 cup low-fat buttermilk - 1/4 cup flour (any kind will do) - 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper - kosher salt and ground pepper - 2-3 medium sweet onions, such as Vidalia - olive oil or cooking spray

Become a Donor
Harvest Level Donor
$500 and above

Preheat oven to 450 F.

Coat the surface of a cooking sheet with cooking spray or olive oil. Set aside. Put bread crumbs into a medium bowl. Whisk the egg, buttermilk, flour and cayenne in a medium bowl and season with salt and pepper. Slice the onions about 1/2 inch thick, separate each ring, then dip them in the egg mixture (let any excess drip off) and then dunk them in the bread crumbs, covering all sides. Arrange the onion rings on the cooking sheet in a single layer. Bake, flipping the rings halfway through, until onion rings are golden brown, about 16 minutes. Season to taste with salt.

Heirloom Level Donor

$250 and above

Seed Level Donor

$100 and above

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The Harvest Calendar

With each passing day, Spring draws near. Its arrival is preceded by blustery winds, bluer skies, and sunshine! Throughout the office, our brains are buzzing with visions of fresh salad greens, red radishes, and black and yellow honey bees, who do great things for your garden! we want to lay out the raised beds of our gardens. We are setting dates for workshops There are about 6 weeks to go until the official last frost date for our region, and in and school lessons to get members of the preparation, we are starting seeds of lettuce, community prepared as well. For you, our broccoli, carrots, onions, cabbage, and cauli- dedicated newsletter readers, we give you flower. Were drawing up diagrams of how the monthly Harvest Calendar. Enjoy!

March
The average date of the last frost in Southwestern Ohio is between the 13th and 24th of April. March 1st is approximately 7 weeks before the last frost date.
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday 1 Thursday 2 Friday 3
Build a raised bed this weekend and start peas and spinach in it.

Saturday

4
Put indoor seedlings in a cold frame to harden them for outdoor planting.

6
If your compost is resembling soil, mix it in with the garden soil this week.

8
Sow carrots, beets, onion, and lettuce outside if soil is workable.

10

11
Sow seeds of leafy greens, carrots, turnips & radishes outdoors.

12

13
Start a new pile or bin for compost. Stop adding to old and let it break down.

14

15

16
Transplant any indoor starts of onion, broccoli, or leeks to the outdoors.

17

18

19

20
Turn your compost to aerate the mixture. Add only to the new pile.

21

22

23
Start herbs like basil, mint, rosemary, and cilantro indoors.

24

25

26

27
Turn your compost to aerate the mixture.

28

29

30
Plant potatoes in the garden.

31

Grow Food, Grow Hope Garden Initiative 1145 Pyle Center 1870 Quaker Way Wilmington, OH 45177

Phone: 937-382-6661 ext. 321 | E-mail: growfoodgrowhope@wilmington.edu | Web: www.growfoodgrowhope.com

The Grow Food, Grow Hope Garden Initiative is a community food project dedicated to increasing access to fresh and nutritious food for the neediest members of our community. By increasing food security, we aim to eliminate the effects of poverty. To that end, we facilitate a community garden for low-income families, we grow bulk vegetables for area food banks, we organize and fund backyard garden installations around our community, we teach children how to garden and we promote local farmers markets and local businesses. By growing a little food, we can sow a lot of hope.

Come grow with us.