[Communications] Fwd:

[Lorraine Kells]

Amy, JW

I have some ad blocking so I can't yet sign, but definitely CCGA must be on
board., and we can put the growers' guide and form to request funding on
our website or a link to it.

Lorraine

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Sean Ruane <director at auachicago.org>
Date: Tue, Jul 14, 2020 at 1:57 PM
Subject: Re:
To: Lorraine Kells <lxkells at gmail.com>


Lorraine,

Thanks for your email. We've been reaching out to someone at CCGA about
this issue over the last few months but haven't heard much back, so I'm
glad you reached out.

There's a few things you could do to support:

1. We are getting ready to circulate this sign on letter
<https://www.change.org/p/chicago-mayor-water-access-for-food-security?recruiter=929203420&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink&utm_campaign=share_petition>
this evening or tomorrow morning to garner more public support for this
issue. Would CCGA like to be listed as a signatory at the bottom of the
letter? Additionally, we would love it if you could help us circulate the
letter on your social media and communication channels. However, please
wait until we start circulating the letter. Should be by tomorrow morning
at the latest.

2. We've put together a growers guide
<https://auachicago.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/AUA-Updated-Chicago-Growers-Guide-.pdf>
to
help farmers/gardeners navigate the updated policy.

3. We've received funding to support growers with these exorbitant costs.
If you know of any gardens or farms in need of funding support for hydrant
permit related costs, have them fill out this form to request funding
<https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdsmQDza7yVxXXf7qK0B5YeGMkqb4IyKQkeV_jVq_Vy4RROyw/viewform>.
It will be administered on a first come first serve basis.

4. We are starting to connect with alder about pursuing an ordinance that
would support more equitable policies for urban agriculture, including
zoning, water, etc. We would love to have a representative from CCGA be a
part of these conversations moving forward.

Thanks,

Sean

On Tue, Jul 14, 2020 at 1:36 PM Lorraine Kells <lxkells at gmail.com> wrote:

> Dear Sean,
>
> Over the last two months CCGA has heard from it's community gardeners that
> the new rules that the Department of Water Management has now set for water
> access at fire hydrants is crippling our gardeners. Acquiring, installing,
> and certifying a Reduced Pressure Zone (RPZ) unit  for any community garden
> is cost prohibitive. In an article in this morning's NBC news the issue may
> have been given wider reach, (see:
> https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/gardeners-say-access-to-water-limited-by-new-chicago-rules/2304394/) but
> other than pointing out a serious issue facing community gardens that we
> are already aware of, what more can we say or do? CCGA would like to put
> this issue into our upcoming Summer Newsletter. Is there something more you
> can say to our gardeners?  Would a letter drafted by and for community
> gardeners to DWM be useful.  Is it possible that alds in the city could
> come up with  some waiver or discount?  It would have to be a deep discount
> or serious waiver, but at least it could be matched by gardeners seeking
> grants if they had a head start.
>
> Hoping to hear from you
>
> Our Best from the Communications Team,
> Lorraine Kells
> Amy Olson
> JW Glass
>


-- 
Sean Ruane
Executive Director
Advocates for Urban Agriculture
he/him/his
director at auachicago.org
815-931-1743
auachicago.org
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