“A few years ago nobody knew about urban agriculture,” says Roberta Groch, an SCLT board member who is also an urban planner for the state. “But, slowly we started incorporating it into the zoning in Providence and in other communities. And now it’s up at the State House, it’s in the Comprehensive Plan and in state regulations.
Rare and Unusual Plant Sale in Providence will kickstart your garden
Southside Community Land Trust’s sale marks its 25th anniversary May 20-21.
With 20,000 plants, live music, and a team of expert gardeners on hand to answer questions, the Southside Community Land Trust’s Rare and Unusual Plant Sale is a perfect start to the growing season.
At 25, the Plant Sale continues to delight, inform and inspire
An event about ‘feel-good commerce’ has stayed true to its roots
Every May for the past 25 years, gardeners and urban farm enthusiasts have made a pilgrimage to City Farm for our Rare & Unusual Plant Sale. They come to support SCLT’s work to transform abandoned land into gardens and farms and provide resources and training so anyone who wants to can grow food. But they also come to celebrate the start of the growing season and to savor the traditions that make the Plant Sale a joyful, authentic, shared experience.
Charles Street Community Garden opens May 13
Providence’s newest community garden, at 485 Charles Street, will be ready and open to the public on Sat., May 13. The first phase of the garden’s construction was managed by the City, with help from Councilman Nicholas Narducci. Two events are scheduled to let people know about the garden and to prepare the garden beds for planting.
Students aid nonprofits in effort to identify and eliminate food deserts
Photo Caption: RIC junior Evan LaCross and senior Giancarlo Rossi collected data in this corner market in South Providence as part of a International Nongovernmental Organization Studies (INGOS) food justice project identifying food deserts.
Parent/child nutrition classes underway in Pawtucket
Preschoolers and parents in the Pawtucket Adult Education program participated in a two-week nutrition workshop led by SCLT to learn about healthy food and how to incorporate it into their diets.
Youth staff lay claim to urban farm
Caption: Spring youth staff Infinity, Jailine and Sergio at the Somerset Hayward Community Farm.
Last Wed., Mar. 29, a playful, eye-catching mural was mounted at the Somerset Hayward Community Farm off Broad Street in Providence. The mural depicts a pitchfork with vegetables, an idea suggested by SCLT youth staff and created by Met School student interns at the Avenue Concept.
Community garden will grow in Central Falls
By JONATHAN BISSONNETTE
CENTRAL FALLS – The Garfield Street park next year will become the home of the city’s first community garden, which officials say will provide urban agriculture and will help the city achieve its goal of increasing access to healthy food for families.
This year’s Urban Ag Kick-off set for April 8
SCLT’s Urban Ag Kick Off is a fun time to reconnect with neighbors, learn about sustainable growing practices, and stock up on resources, like free, non-GMO seeds and low-cost, organic fertilizer. But the most tangible benefit for SCLT members is being able to take home 50 gallons of free, high-quality, organic compost! (Make sure you sign up or re-new either before or during the event.)
Say hello to our new staff
If you stop by our office or attend upcoming programs you’ll notice we’ve made some staff changes lately. After eight years at SCLT, Michelle Walker has moved on to pursue a career in the theater (where she’s drawing great reviews!). Agnieszka Rosner came on board January 1 as our new development and administrative coordinator. Also, last year’s City Farm Apprentice, Craig Demi, became a part-time special projects coordinator in November.
