[Communications] Invitation to discuss the safety of biosolids and PFAS from a soil and plant perspective: how we got here and the way forward

[Kasey Bersett]

Please send along any updates! I cannot attend but I am super curious about this topic. 


> On Feb 4, 2023, at 3:16 PM, CCGA <info at chicagocommunitygardens.org> wrote:
> 
> View this email in your browser <https://mailchi.mp/0ed6a946d553/ccga-8th-annual-gardeners-conference-register-9309308?e=f1a4040bbc>
> 
> 
> Join CCGA to discuss the safety of biosolids and PFAS from a soil and plant perspective, how we got here, and the way forward
> Saturday, February 25, 2023
> 10:30am - 12:30pm
> The Hatchery Chicago
> 135 N. Kedzie (at the Kedzie Green Line)
> The issue of PFAS contamination in biosolids has become a concerning issue for community gardeners. Since last autumn, CCGA has been focused specifically on the problem community gardeners face with biosolids from MWRD (Metropolitan Water Reclamation District) and the necessity of starting a community-wide discussion to outline a way forward.
> 
> CCGA has invited a team from MWRD to join Jennifer Walling, Executive Director of the Illinois Environmental Council, Andrew Margenot, Assistant Professor of Crop Sciences at University of Illinois, and concerned community gardeners to have a discussion about the issue. MWRD will bring research findings to contribute to an open and solution-oriented discussion. Jen Walling will provide environmental policy and strategy insight, and Dr. Margenot will share a soil science and chemistry perspective, as PFAS contamination of agricultural soils and water has quickly become a farm and food safety issue in many states. 
> 
> The CCGA education team promises an informative discussion, open to all community gardeners and interested participants. With this event, CCGA aims to identify resources for gardeners who have been impacted by the possible contamination of soil in our gardens and urban farms. CCGA's overarching goal is to develop a community gardening policy for biosolids and PFAS, as well as advocate for a city-wide plan.
> 
> 
> A large variety of plant species can take up PFASs from the environment. Vegetables and grains are the most commonly investigated crops, with perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) as the most studied PFASs. The potential sources of PFASs for plant uptake include industrial emissions, irrigation with contaminated water, land application of biosolids, leachates from landfill sites, and pesticide application. Image credit & Source <https://chicagocommunitygardens.us14.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7f2904daf2a26a891c68f8bb0&id=31976b2ea9&e=f1a4040bbc>
> 
> Bring your questions to the event! We will be collecting question cards from attendees for the moderator to present to the panelists.
> 
> Cost: Free
> Space is limited, please RSVP by signing up below
>  
> RSVP FOR THIS EVENT
>  <https://chicagocommunitygardens.us14.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7f2904daf2a26a891c68f8bb0&id=056c390090&e=f1a4040bbc>
> Read more about PFAS contamination and biosolids on the CCGA website <https://chicagocommunitygardens.us14.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7f2904daf2a26a891c68f8bb0&id=f03ebbd907&e=f1a4040bbc>
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>  <mailto:info at chicagocommunitygardens.org>
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