Tuesday, December 22, 2009

How Do You Feel About Big Business and Food?

From Slow Food USA:
Now is our chance to speak up. For the first time ever, the U.S. Department of Justice is on a fact-finding mission looking at how big business controls food and farming—and they want to hear from YOU before December 31st.
This is an important (and brief!) opportunity to provide our government with your feedback. Don't miss it!

Head over to the Slow Food Blog for more info and a link to sample letters.

Monday, November 30, 2009

Growing Hope Welcomes New VISTA's!



Adrianne Finelli was born and raised in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. In 2001 she moved to Philadelphia to attend Temple University where she earned a BA in documentary filmmaking. Four years ago she came to Michigan to attend UM in the schools of Art & Design and Social Work, earning an MFA and Specialist in Aging certificate. Adrianne’s creative work is centered around families and loss, and has been screened nationally and internationally. In her position as Marketing Manager of Growing Hope, she will concentrate on families and growth. She enjoys cooking, hiking, swimming, and dancing.


Wendy Watson grew up as a city girl in California loving her visits to mountains and valleys, chicken farms and rows of artichokes. She has interests in philosophy, art, psychology, social work, peace and economic and social justice, and has worked as an art therapist, community organizer, and social work administrator. Currently interested in sustainable community, Wendy moved to the area recently to live in co-housing where she continues a love for organic gardening and working with community. She is delighted to join Growing Hope where she will be the “community organizer.”


Gabe Tilove hails from Pennsylvania, the land of the Quakers. He enjoys planting, pruning, felling, climbing, hugging, and hiking amongst trees. He refers often to Gandhi’s autobiography for inspiration. After working outdoors for the past year, Gabe is excited to be the Education VISTA for GH. Gabe lives in Ann Arbor with his two crazy cats, Maggie and Iggy.


Jeremy Sobczak is excited to join the GH staff as the volunteer coordinator. He is even more excited to be done with his summer jobs of power sanding and collecting toxic waste. He has a degree from the UM Program in the Environment with a specialization in sustainable landscape design. Gardening is one of Jeremy’s many passions, and he recently planted 10 varieties of his favorite crop, garlic. He can’t wait to bring his knowledge and enthusiasm to the Growing Hope community.


Starring as Growing Hope’s new farmer’s market manager, Ryan Mary Stedman (a.k.a. Rye Breadman) isn’t thinking twice about leaving her post at ESPN in Chicago. A native of Southfield, Michigan and a local food enthusiast, Ryan is thrilled to be dedicating the next year of her life to Growing Hope. She’s looking forward to cooking up all the fresh veggies she can find, especially the winter squash. Find her and the whole cast of beautiful vegetables in style at the winter and summer Ypsi markets.


JP Swanson, Jpeas, or Jeepers joins Growing Hope from Wisconsin where he has been working in farming for the last three years. His many sun faded sweatshirts prove his ability to manage Growing Hope’s organic farm. JP loves to grow tomatoes and is looking forward to his new job as ‘Farm Manager’ and sharing his knowledge of gardening with the Ypsilanti community this year.

Tuesday, September 08, 2009

Tour de Fresh: September 15!

We are excited to host our 3rd annual Tour de Fresh, a tour of home and community partner gardens of Growing Hope! Join us Tuesday, September 15th at the Downtown Ypsilanti Farmer's Market from 4PM - 5PM to register for the bike or bus tour. From there, we will see 7 different garden sites that feature Growing Hope's Four Square Society raised bed installs and the work of our community and Faith and Food garden partners! Please RSVP to reserve your spot on the tour by emailing ashley@growinghope.net or calling the Growing Hope Office at (734) 786 - 8401.

I hope to see you there!

Ashley and the Growing Hope Staff

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Growing Hope Is Hiring!

Growing Hope has the opportunity to offer up to 6 positions for Americorps VISTA members starting this November!  Our job areas of focus will be: Farmers Market Manager, Community Organizing & Outreach, Organic Farm Manager, Volunteer Coordinator, YOuth & Education Coordinator, and Marketing.  Download and read our job posting for more information about these specific areas and the recruitment process.  Don't hesitate to contact us with any questions!

VISTAatGrowingHopeNov09.doc

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Preserving Time in a Bottle (or a Jar)


Check out this article on canning and food security in the Dining and Wine section of the NY Times last month!

Monday, April 27, 2009

Green is the New Black...

Our own Advisory Board member and GH friend Dr. Michael Dorsey was featured in a photo essay on blackvoices.com... as was Bryant Terry, a rad eco-chef/activist who has a great new Vegan Soul Food cookbook, and was in town hanging out with us when he premiered his first book with Anna Lappe-- "Grub: Lessons from an Urban Organic Kitchen.". Congrats, Michael & Bryant-- and thanks for the continued leadership in the movement!

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

April Showers, Vegetables, Seedlings

Spring is in full swing at the Growing Hope Center.

Look for Growing Hope produce at Vinology in Ann Arbor and Beezy's in Ypsilanti. On May 5th you can purchase fresh veggies, herbs, and transplants at the Downtown Ypsilanti Farmers Market.

Growing Hope's crew of dedicated volunteers have been instrumental in our big spring projects so far. We've been woodchuck proofing the hoophouse, potting up seedlings donated from Raker and the Michigan State Student Organic Farm. We've also been spending many hours putting together 12" pots for our Spring Plant Sale.

Jeff McCabe of The Selma Cafe lead the construction of installation of a roll up side for the hoophouse. Local carpenter Ian built us a barn door for the hoophouse. Stop by the Growing Hope Center at 922 W. Michigan Ave. sometime and check it out.