<div dir="ltr"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black">Hello, </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black"> </span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black">CCGA has
been invited to partner with AUA in support of co-creating a comprehensive
Chicago Urban Agriculture Plan (CUAP), funded by (EPA's <a href="https://www.epa.gov/inflation-reduction-act/inflation-reduction-act-community-change-grants-program" target="_blank">Community Change Grant </a>Program).
Our network of community gardeners is important to gathering community input. May
Toy, Amy Olson and I met recently with AUA's team to discuss the project, and
we'd like to share details, answer questions and get back to AUA with a motion
to approve CCGA’s involvement.</span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black"> </span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black">Therefore,
we have scheduled a special zoom meeting Tuesday, August 6 at 6 pm.</span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black"> </span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black">AUA has
written much of the grant and identified what is needed for successful implementation.
There are 7 initial focus areas many of which are of interest to CCGA and 5 are
listed here: Composting / Waste Management, Energy, Environmental Justice
(Soil, Water, Air), Farmed Animals such as chickens and Resource Access (Water,
Land, Trusts, Easements).  We hope to obtain
further insight from community gardeners on these focus areas.</span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black"> </span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black">Finally,
we plan to submit the grant in September, so there is a tight turnaround. We
are all committed to full transparency and to sharing all that you need to know.
We have attached the proposal:<i> Section III Scope of Work is most pertinent
reading. </i></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:107%;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black"><br>
<span style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">Together with AUA we will collaborate on
ordinance language to benefit disadvantaged communities through projects that
reduce pollution, increase community climate resilience, and build community
capacity. </span>We will aim for 3-5 feedback sessions (virtual or in-person),
for the first two years that will be accessible to growers, gardeners,
community members and stakeholders in the food justice network.</span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:107%;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black">If you would like to work on this exciting
project with us, please join us Tuesday.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:107%;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black"><br></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="color:black;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12pt">May, Amy, Lorraine</span><br></p></div>