[Communications] Fwd: Community Gardening and COVID-19

[Lorraine Kells]

Amy,

We an use this on our website, facebook and for the forum and in a
newsletter. Someone sent me a colorful infographic.  We should have
something like it on Facebook for our community gardeners.  I'll send it if
I can find it.

Lorraine


---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: M Toy <mtoy.usa at gmail.com>
Date: Thu, Mar 19, 2020 at 1:58 PM
Subject: Community Gardening and COVID-19
To: Ellen Newcomer <ecnewcomer334 at gmail.com>, Lorraine Kells <
lxkells at gmail.com>, Amy Olson <akeo at me.com>, Resources <
resources at chicagocommunitygardens.org>


Hi everyone,

Hope that everyone is well.  I'm writing to share some articles that I
found on COVID-19, gardening, and community gardening and to ask how
everyone is handling their community gardens.  Also want to take this
opportunity to thank Ellen for working in the greenhouse by herself.

Someone asked me on a West Loop facebook group about the impact of COVID-19
on Skinner Park's community gardens so I did some research.

Some background about the gardens we work on.  Skinner Park has both
ornamental community gardens and vegetable community gardens ( allotment
plots ).  The Community Roots Garden's vegetable plots are allocated by the
Park District and they send out an email earlier this week on Monday asking
everyone to apply for a plot.  Returning gardeners are given priority by
the Park District.

The advisory council also manages the Tranquil Garden (community
ornamental) usually maintained by a few key members with help from large
volunteer groups.   Loomis St. Community Garden has both ornamental beds
and a separate fenced off vegetable garden (allotment) which is accessible
to only the gardeners and SPAC allocates these plots.  Obviously all of our
volunteer days that we had planned for April has been postponed and most
likely will be cancelled.  I personally have been working in the ornamental
gardens by myself with social distancing since the work still has to be
done.

What is everyone doing about their community gardens especially the
allotment plots for vegetables?

Stay safe and healthy.  And if you need anything, don't hesitate to reach
out.

Thanks.
May

-------------------------------------------------------------------
Below are  links for gardening related articles and COVID-19.

*1) Experts indicated that COVID-19 is not a food-borne disease so
gardening is not impacted.  And people seem to need gardening and just
connection to nature to help with cope with the stress of COVID-19 and
social distancing.*

*COVID-19 is not foodborne or food-transmitted, Purdue specialist says*
https://vegetablegrowersnews.com/news/covid-19-is-not-foodborne-or-food-transmitted-purdue-specialist-says/


*Social distancing causes garden center boom*
https://abc11.com/social-distancing-sprouts-business-boom-at-nc-garden-centers/6025385/

Coronavirus pandemic driving strong demand for local fruit and vegetables
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-03-14/coronavirus-drives-demand-for-local-fruit-and-vegetables/12054782


*2) only NC State Extension has guidance on COVID-19 and specifically
community gardens. *

https://nccommunitygardens.ces.ncsu.edu/covid-19-faq-for-community-gardens/


The articles suggests putting in a hand washing station and closing the
garden off to the general public.    As luck would have it, I was already
planning to install a sink in the Loomis St. Community Garden this year.

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