CCGA: What we did in 2014, and what’s coming in 2015.
Happy New Season, Chicago community Gardeners! We want to bring you up to date on CCGA‘s 2014 activities as well as our plans for 2015.
In early 2014, CCGA formed an Interim Steering Committee which has updated the website, written bylaws, and planned numerous gardener programs throughout the year:
- Second Annual CCGA gathering, at which 180+ Chicago community gardeners gathered at Navy Pier to discuss the state of community gardening in Chicago and participate in workshops on season extension, composting, white rock gleaning, edible perennials, and water conservation, regional breakout sessions, and a seed swap and garden consignment shop;
- March “Let’s Get Gardening” Workshop that drew 70 community gardeners to the Garfield Park Conservatory for seed starting and spring planting demonstrations and tips by community gardeners, as well as sharing hundreds of vegetable seed packets;
- Pilot program at Christy Webber’s superb greenhouse facility where community gardens started over 2,000 seedlings;
- May Spring Vegetable Share and Workshop,that drew 80+ attendees with gardener-led discussion of soil and growing tips as well as the opportunity to take home dozens of vegetable seedlings grown by CCGA participants;
- July Plant Distribution, run entirely by CCGA volunteers who distributed 3,000 perennials (donated by Elite Growers) to community gardeners;
- American Community Gardeners Association annual meeting in August in Chicago, featuring three CCGA-led regional garden tours;
- September Great Perennial Divide, at which CCGA volunteers distributed 4,900 perennials and shrubs to over 150 community gardens at three regional centers;
- October Workshop featuring more gardener-led “putting the garden to bed” discussions, bulb planting demonstrations, and distribution of 8,000 spring-blooming bulbs to the 60+ community garden attendees.
Next up: the 3rd Annual CCGA Gathering on March 7th, 2015. Register today!