limbs!
During the past year, we have taken internal inventory of our programming
and the impact of that programming. It has been really wonderful to see the
changes in and across our communities to embrace, grow and recognize the
multiple benefits of community gardens, urban farming, and gardening in
community.
Gardening Matters started from a participatory research project which
included community gardeners, land owners, public agencies and other
stakeholders to identify reasons why community gardens were going under the
bulldozer and what could be done to preserve and protect these community
assets. Community Gardens were widely regarded as interim uses of land
until something “higher and better” came along (i.e. development). There
was a legacy of amazing community garden work from other organizations, but
the programming had pulled back and there was a gap in services as a result.
Through hard work of many across the Twin Cities, we shared a vision of
cities that could be green and shared evidence from research and first hand
visits that green spaces are essential for viable and resilient cities.
But as the landscape changes, so too must the vision.
Gardening Matters was never a big organization, but it beat with a thousand
hearts!
And so we ask you again today to join us. *Please take a few minutes to
complete a short survey <https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PJ59RL9> to help
give us direction at this time of renewal, and consider investing in the
future of Gardening Matters through *your online contribution*
<http://www.gardeningmatters.org/civicrm/contribute/transact?reset=1&id=16>
.
On behalf of the Gardening Matters Board of Directors,
Kirsten Saylor