[Communications] (no subject)

[Sean Ruane]

Sounds good, Lorraine. Thanks!

On Tue, Jul 14, 2020 at 2:34 PM Lorraine Kells <lxkells at gmail.com> wrote:

> Sean,
>
> Yes to putting CCGA as a signatory, and yes to having us circulate the
> letter to our subscribers.  We will make the growers guide and form to
> request funding available as well.
>
> Then we'll be in touch.
>
> Lorraine
>
> On Tue, Jul 14, 2020 at 1:57 PM Sean Ruane <director at auachicago.org>
> wrote:
>
>> 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
>>
>>
>>

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