Hello Columbia, its Spring and that means there’s a lot is going on! Here are some updates, events and workshops….
2011 In the Garden
We are fortunate to have access to a greenhouse at Stephen’s College so that we can get a head start on the season by planting lots of our crops inside. We have been busy in the greenhouse for 5 weeks now. So far, we have head lettuce, broccoli, cabbage, kohlrabi, spinach, Swiss chard, and many varieties of flowers growing robustly. Soon we will be starting tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, basil, and leeks. Our germination rates this year have been an improvement over last year’s, something we’re all excited about.
We have planted leaf lettuce, asian greens, and raidshes in the field for this season, and have overwintered spinach producing strong in the Demonstration Garden. Stop by the garden and check out our chickens, and some shoots and starts in our little greenhouse. We also have a Spring Self-Guided Tour coming soon, so keep your eyes peeled.
Volunteer Workdays
The opening day for volunteers at the Urban Farm is Wednesday, March 16th. From now until the end of the season we will have workdays open to the public on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays starting at 3:30pm and going until dusk. Come on out and help on the Urban Farm, we look forward to doing some Spring farming with you!
Compost for your Garden
The City of Columbia’s Compost Facility has compost for sale every Thursday from 1-5pm (and some Saturdays). This rich organic matter is an excellent addition to your garden, it only costs $12/cubic yard and they’ll load it for you!. Check out their website for more information http://www.gocolumbiamo.com/PublicWorks/Solidwaste/compost-mulch.php
Urban Hens 101
Saturday, April 2 Noon – 2pm
Saturday, June 4 Noon – 2pm
Join us at our downtown office (214 St Joseph) and learn all about the city’s chicken ordinance, the benefits of raising backyard chickens, how to properly care for your hens, and how to brood baby chicks in your home. The workshop is free, although donations are welcomed. Contact Dan for more information at dan@columbiaurbanag.org
Hands-On Coop Building
Saturday, April 30 Time: TBD
Join us at the Urban Farm (1107 Smith St) where we will be discussing coop design and constructing a coop. At the end of the workshop we will auction off the coop. The workshop is free, although donations are welcomed. For more information or to sign up, please e-mail Dan at dan@columbiaurbanag.org
Yard to Skillet: Backyard Chicken Processing
Saturday, May 14th 9am – Noon
Saturday, July 16th 9am – Noon
This workshop will guide participants through every step necessary to humanely prepare an urban hen for consumption; participants will be provided with a live chicken, and leave with their own ready-to-cook bird. While everyone is invited to observe the workshop, participation is restricted to those over the age of 18. As there are a limited number of chickens available for each workshop, it is recommended that prospective participants RSVP with dan@columbiaurbanag.org to reserve a bird (limit one bird per household). Though the workshop is free to the public, any donations would be greatly accepted to cover the cost of raising these birds.
Summer Gardening Workshop
Saturday, May 28th Noon – 2pm
Join us at our Demonstration Garden for a workshop going over what, when, where, and how to plant for a summer garden. For more information contact dan@columbiaurbanag.org
Edible Landscaping
Welcome to Bridget Bufford, our new Edible Landscaping Crew Leader! Bridget has years of experience with traditional landscaping, natives, and vegetable gardening; she is already making a great addition to the CCUA team. CCUA’s Edible Landscaping Service is one of our biggest fund raisers, hire us to landscape your home or business, whether you’re looking for a traditional planting, a vegetable garden, or somewhere in between we custom-tailor our services to meet your needs. Call our office to schedule a free consultation 514-4174.
Healthy Habits Partnership
I mentioned last time our partnership with PedNet, the Columbia Housing Authority, and the CDC on the Healthy Habits project. Since then we’ve developed a design for the edible landscaping plan, and the plants are on their way!
Lessons at the Moving Ahead Afterschool Program are going well, these kids are getting excited about growing vegetables at the Blind Boone Center. We’ve built one raised bed with the kids already and four more are on their way.
The Opportunity Gardens program within CHA is also moving along with many residents requesting applications.
Juvenille Detention Center Garden
The week of Spring Break, as a part of CCUA’s Opportunity Garden Program we are breaking into the Boone County Juvenile Detention Center and helping revitalize their vegetable garden. CCUA employees and volunteers will be working with adolescents in the facility to empower them with some knowledge and seeds to help them grow.
Columbia Earth Day Celebration
Sunday, April 17th
Come out and enjoy a spring day with thousands of other Columbians at Peace Park for the annual Columbia Earth Day Celebration. With booths from area organizations (including CCUA’s mobile chicken coop) and live music, performers, food and entertainment.
Internships
CCUA is looking for Summer interns, if you are interested in getting some hands on experience in the field of urban agriculture, marketing, or education please send a resume and cover letter to dan@columbiaurbanag.org
Urban Farm’s Market
This year we will be expanding the Market at our Urban Farm to include items from other local producers, we’ll have veggies grown at our Urban Farm along with some Fruit, Honey, Bread, Eggs, and other things that we aren’t producing on our farm. The market should open up sometime in April or May, we’ll keep you posted. Remember, EBT customers receive 50% off their purchases at the Urban Farm.
Free Breakfast for Bike Walk and Wheel Week
The week of May 16th to 18th PedNet’s Bike Walk and Wheel Week. BWWW is a week-long celebration of active transportation in Columbia. Everyone is encouraged to get out and bike, walk or wheel to their destinations around town. Popular events such as Cycle Recycle, the PedNet Scavenger Hunt, and of course, Breakfast Stations, make this a fun, family event that anyone can participate in. Friday, May 20th from 7am – 9am many locations throughout Columbia (including CCUA’s Urban Farm) will be offering free breakfast to those who show up on foot or bicycle, we hope to see you there!
March 18-20, MU’s Art and Archaeology Museum
Experience art and flowers in a fresh way! Mid-Missouri florists design and create fresh-cut floral creations inspired by the artwork and artifacts found throughout the Museum of Art and Archaeology’s extensive collections. Art in Bloom is sponsored by Museum Associates and is FREE and open to the public.
Thats all folks!
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