Community CROPS July 2009 Newsletter

The community gardens are producing fully and many new crops are ready now--at our market we have the first new potatoes, as well as carrots, beets, beans and much more! It's a great time to start thinking about preserving produce for the winter, whether it is freezing or canning. Maybe you have too much produce to eat -- consider donating it to the Food Bank.

The Garden Movie

Friday July 10 - Thursday July 16 at the Ross

Community gardens have been developed all over the country, and the largest was in Los Angeles until developers took over the land. Join us for this Oscar-nominated documentary on growing food and community. A local food reception is planned for opening night and a movie talk with a diverse panel for Sunday, July 12. Details

New Way to Support CROPS

You can help us to develop all the awesome community gardens and farms in Lincoln. Now, you can sign up to do monthly donations -- $5, $10, or whatever amount you can afford per month will really make a difference to us. Through Network For Good, donations come straight to Community CROPS and make a real difference in our work. Click the button below to get started:

Community CROPS Farmers' Market

The CROPS market is off to a fantastic start and continues to get better and better. We now have even more produce for sale -- new this week are new potatoes and green beans. Put your money in the hand of the person who grew your food -- come to the CROPS market and meet our farmers from Togo, Mexico and the US. Market Page

We now have baked goods at the market, beautiful handmade birdhouses for sale and much more.

July 2 -- Enjoy samples of delicious grilled beets and potatoes, as well as music from Manny Coon.

CROPS Farmer Profile

Memphis, 1st year farmer from Togo

Memphis Mensah is from Togo, a small country in west Africa. He moved to Nebraska in 2007 with his wife and two young children. Memphis helped his brother in Togo for several years, and since moving here has wanted to continue farming as his brother is doing in Africa. Memphis shares the new things that he learns about farming with his brother, and his brother teaches him too even though they are a world apart. About farming, Memphis said, "I didn't have the opportunity to farm when I was in Togo. Now I'm working and farming and learning more each season. I need to farm. Other jobs don't allow you to get fresh air, see butterflies, or hear the birds sing." Memphis is growing many different vegetables including savoy cabbage, carrots, onions, tomatoes, okra and mohlokia (greens common in Africa). He sells his produce at the Old Cheney Market, the Community CROPS Pentzer Park Market, and through the CROPS CSA.

Upcoming Events

We've added a new class to the schedule for July on making your own Solar Oven. There's also still space in the composting workshop. Details: Workshops Page

The Local Foods Network Conference features a number of great speakers on July 9.

Mark your calendar for Saturday, August 15 -- CROPS will be holding an open house at many of our community gardens. Details will be out soon!

Community CROPS on Facebook

Join our growing group on Facebook and invite your friends. CROPS on Facebook