[Communications] Fwd: Soil testing

[Lorraine Kells]

So I keep using JW Glass via Communications to the committee because my
other CCGA Communications email address is corrupted and gets returned.

Here is some good news from Andrew about covering soil testing for the
faith based garden pilot project.

Lorraine

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Lorraine Kells <lxkells at gmail.com>
Date: Sat, Aug 1, 2020 at 2:34 PM
Subject: Re: Soil testing
To: Margenot, Andrew J <margenot at illinois.edu>
Cc: Batka, Sarah Christine <sbatka at illinois.edu>, Watson, George Patrick <
gwatson3 at illinois.edu>, chicagosoils at gmail.com <chicagosoils at gmail.com>


Andrew.

This is great news.  The grant money must be spent by Dec. 30, so this will
not only save resources for these new and continuing faith based community
gardens, but it keeps people informed and safe.

With your permission, we will include you in our cover letter and planning
steps for this pilot program.

Deepest Regards,
Lorraine

On Sat, Aug 1, 2020 at 1:23 PM Margenot, Andrew J <margenot at illinois.edu>
wrote:

> Hi Lorraine,
>
>
>
> Thanks for reaching out on this. I agree that checking soils in these
> community garden sites would be a good idea. Though the ICE grant ends in a
> few months, we’d be able (and happy) to provide support in the form of soil
> screening for lead in soil using the pXRF. In addition to providing some
> guidance on the potential lead risk in these communities’ soils, the soils
> would benefit us by increasing our pool of mail-in soils from private or at
> least non-city property.
>
>
>
> The simplest way could be to mail the soils to us; George is overseeing
> the mail-in program, so he can coordinate with the community garden
> leaders/individuals on the shipping.
>
>
>
> Let us know how else we might help on this!
>
>
>
> Andrew
>
>
>
> ______________________________________
>
> Andrew Margenot, PhD
>
> Assistant Professor of Soil Science
>
> Crop Sciences Department
>
> S-324 Turner Hall
>
> Urbana, IL 61801
>
> Phone: 217-300-7059
>
> Soils Lab: https://margenot.cropsciences.illinois.edu/
>
>
>
> *From:* Lorraine Kells <lxkells at gmail.com>
> *Sent:* Thursday, July 30, 2020 1:19 PM
> *To:* Margenot, Andrew J <margenot at illinois.edu>
> *Cc:* Batka, Sarah Christine <sbatka at illinois.edu>; Watson, George
> Patrick <gwatson3 at illinois.edu>
> *Subject:* Soil testing
>
>
>
> Andrew,
>
>
>
> I hope this email finds you well and still working whether remotely, in a
> lab, or in the field.  The chairs and working groups of CCGA  have
> continued to meet remotely to provide COVID safe guidelines for gardening,
> hold contact-free  plant distributions, and put out our newsletter.
>
>
>
> In the last day or so CCGA has been approached by the Illinois Dept of
> Human Services to act as advisor during a pilot program funding the
> expansion and creation of community gardens at faith based organizations on
> the south and west sides of Chicago in Black and Brown neighborhoods.  I
> have mentioned that soil is our greatest concern.
>
>
>
> Are you still doing any soil testing?  Is it still free or low cost for
> these organizations? There have been only 8-10 selected for the pilot
> program.
>
> We are of course recommending that they build raised beds and fill them
> with clean soil and compost.
>
>
>
> The expense of lumber, building beds and buying bulk soil may be beyond
> the scope of some churches. I anticipate some may have a need for soil
> testing if they chose to grow or are limited to growing only in the ground.
>
>
>
> Thank you for your assistance.  I look forward to when we can again host
> in person workshops.  The data and accompanying clarification you and
> George provide is invaluable, especially when delivered with the authority
> and reassurance you provide.
>
>
>
> Regards,
>
> Lorraine Kells
>
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