Growing Together at Beacon Apartments

July 5, 2022 by Carolina Lukac

I’m Sharon Newman, Garden Coordinator for Chittenden County affordable housing, a partnership between VGN and Champlain Housing Trust (CHT). One site I have spent a lot of time at this season is Beacon, permanent housing for homeless residents, located in South Burlington. Back in March, as I did my pre-season check in, I noticed that the winter had taken a major toll on many garden beds at Beacon. Six beds were completely unusable, meaning many residents would not be able to garden.

Garden Supply Company donated a large raised bed, that many more people would have

space to grow their own food. Once the bed was brought to Beacon, residents, friends, and VGN interns gathered to shovel soil from old beds into the new one. We took apart the broken down and unsightly beds (which residents used as kindling). We talked with residents about the importance of living somewhere that is beautiful for our mental health and well being.

Because there had been a pile of soil on the ground unused for two seasons, we planted a flower garden using donations from Red Wagon. One resident planted Forget-Me-Nots in honor of her husband who had recently passed. I feel that the joyfulness of having flowers growing outside resident’s homes can have a more positive impact on their lives than we know!

Recently, I returned to bring more plant starts. Gardeners had decided to make the new bed a shared space, so they

could garden communally. I was thrilled to see the strong community growing around the gardens at Beacon, and the excitement of residents to be able to grow food together! And more donated beds are coming soon!

Filed Under: Featured, Garden Stories, Spotlight, Uncategorized

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Apr 15

A harvest distribution day at a collective garden looks like this: a basket full of onions, winter squash lined up on a table and jars of dahlias. We believe collective gardening is an opportunity to increase access to fresh food and overcome barriers to growing food. And YOU can join this movement! We are looking to our community to help us kickstart a second collective garden in Burlington this season:

🌻 Starr Farm in the New North End - next to the dog park, playground, bike path and lake access - is where we are planting this new garden.

🌱 We are welcoming ten garden members to join the collective garden this season by offering ten full scholarships.

🍅 Applications are open! Link in bio.

A harvest distribution day at a collective garden looks like this: a basket full of onions, winter squash lined up on a table and jars of dahlias. We believe collective gardening is an opportunity to increase access to fresh food and overcome barriers to growing food. And YOU can join this movement! We are looking to our community to help us kickstart a second collective garden in Burlington this season:

🌻 Starr Farm in the New North End - next to the dog park, playground, bike path and lake access - is where we are planting this new garden.

🌱 We are welcoming ten garden members to join the collective garden this season by offering ten full scholarships.

🍅 Applications are open! Link in bio. ...

Apr 5

Job announcement: we are hiring a Garden Apprentice to join us from May through October! We've welcomed stellar apprentices in the past, like Carolyn and Jade who are photographed in this post.

The full job description, including hours and compensation, is linked in our bio.

Job announcement: we are hiring a Garden Apprentice to join us from May through October! We`ve welcomed stellar apprentices in the past, like Carolyn and Jade who are photographed in this post.

The full job description, including hours and compensation, is linked in our bio. ...

Mar 7

Join us March 20th @savoytheatervt for a community event featuring a showing of the award-winning #regenerativeagriculture documentary, Common Ground, followed by a community conversation with Montpelier area #healthysoil advocates. Doors open at 5.30pm Film at 6pm.

🎟️ Buy tickets at savoytheater.com 🎟️ or follow link on our website

Join us March 20th @savoytheatervt for a community event featuring a showing of the award-winning #regenerativeagriculture documentary, Common Ground, followed by a community conversation with Montpelier area #healthysoil advocates. Doors open at 5.30pm Film at 6pm.

🎟️ Buy tickets at savoytheater.com 🎟️ or follow link on our website ...

Feb 15

We are so very much looking forward to the @nofavermont Winter Conference on Saturday 2/17, and we hope to see you there!

During Workshop Session 2, we'll be facilitating a panel along with our friends and collaborators from @new_farms_for_new_americans and @ujamaafarms. The photos shared in this post capture a tiny peek into the work we've been doing with NFNA farmers over the past 3 years to identify crops that are culturally meaningful, improve growing practices, and save seeds for a community seed library. During the workshop, we'll be listening to seed stories and reflecting on culturally meaningful crops.

VGN will also be tabling in the exhibitors's hall, stop by to say hi!

We are so very much looking forward to the @nofavermont Winter Conference on Saturday 2/17, and we hope to see you there!

During Workshop Session 2, we`ll be facilitating a panel along with our friends and collaborators from @new_farms_for_new_americans and @ujamaafarms. The photos shared in this post capture a tiny peek into the work we`ve been doing with NFNA farmers over the past 3 years to identify crops that are culturally meaningful, improve growing practices, and save seeds for a community seed library. During the workshop, we`ll be listening to seed stories and reflecting on culturally meaningful crops.

VGN will also be tabling in the exhibitors`s hall, stop by to say hi! ...

Feb 13

Grow alongside our plant friends and other aspiring gardeners and register for this year's Thriving Gardens Course 🌱

The Thriving Gardens Course is a hands-on garden course that guides you through the entire growing season. Get inspired by reading through testimonies from Thrive graduates 🌞 then go to the link in our bio to read more and sign up today to take advantage of the early bird discount (extended to 2/19).

Grow alongside our plant friends and other aspiring gardeners and register for this year`s Thriving Gardens Course 🌱

The Thriving Gardens Course is a hands-on garden course that guides you through the entire growing season. Get inspired by reading through testimonies from Thrive graduates 🌞 then go to the link in our bio to read more and sign up today to take advantage of the early bird discount (extended to 2/19). ...

Feb 5

We are currently hiring for three part-time, seasonal positions to expand our Growing Food, Growing Communities program at affordable housing sites. Application deadline is February 23.

Learn more and apply at the link in our bio!

We are currently hiring for three part-time, seasonal positions to expand our Growing Food, Growing Communities program at affordable housing sites. Application deadline is February 23.

Learn more and apply at the link in our bio! ...

Feb 2

Take advantage of our early bird registration discount and register for the Thriving Gardens Course before 2/12! Learn everything you need to know about the course at the link in our bio 🌱

(Photo of '23 Thrive grad, planning out her direct seeding layout for leaf and root crops! )

Take advantage of our early bird registration discount and register for the Thriving Gardens Course before 2/12! Learn everything you need to know about the course at the link in our bio 🌱

(Photo of `23 Thrive grad, planning out her direct seeding layout for leaf and root crops! ) ...

Jan 26

There are three weeks left to apply for this year's Fruit and Nut Tree Grant!

The goals of the program are:

🌳 To increase public access to fruit and nut trees across Vermont, particularly at sites serving underserved populations

🌳 To ensure survival and proper care of these trees through technical assistance, educational offerings, and resource sharing.

🌳 To develop and share success stories and best practices for community fruit and nut tree planting, care and use.

Go to our website (link in bio) to review the various guides we've created to determine if this opportunity is right for you. We look forward to hearing from you!

As always, a BIG thank you to our partners @branchoutburlington and @vtforestsparksrecreation

There are three weeks left to apply for this year`s Fruit and Nut Tree Grant!

The goals of the program are:

🌳 To increase public access to fruit and nut trees across Vermont, particularly at sites serving underserved populations

🌳 To ensure survival and proper care of these trees through technical assistance, educational offerings, and resource sharing.

🌳 To develop and share success stories and best practices for community fruit and nut tree planting, care and use.

Go to our website (link in bio) to review the various guides we`ve created to determine if this opportunity is right for you. We look forward to hearing from you!

As always, a BIG thank you to our partners @branchoutburlington and @vtforestsparksrecreation ...

Jan 25

In late November we read through Margaret Roach’s article in the NYTimes “This Seed Season, Consider a Catalog That Takes a Different Approach”, and felt inspired to share our complementary version of some of our favorite seed catalogs. We’ve included brief descriptions of seed companies that made our list and links to online catalogs for easy browsing. We wish you many hours of seed catalogue browsing this month! Link in bio 🌱

In late November we read through Margaret Roach’s article in the NYTimes “This Seed Season, Consider a Catalog That Takes a Different Approach”, and felt inspired to share our complementary version of some of our favorite seed catalogs. We’ve included brief descriptions of seed companies that made our list and links to online catalogs for easy browsing. We wish you many hours of seed catalogue browsing this month! Link in bio 🌱 ...

Jan 23

It’s that time of the year when gardeners dive into seed catalogs and decide what they’ll grow this season. For those of you managing a tight household budget this year, coordinating a community-based project, supporting mutual aid initiatives and wondering where to source seeds: VGN’s Seed Donation Bundles are a great place to start. Follow the link in our bio to request a bundle while supplies last!

It’s that time of the year when gardeners dive into seed catalogs and decide what they’ll grow this season. For those of you managing a tight household budget this year, coordinating a community-based project, supporting mutual aid initiatives and wondering where to source seeds: VGN’s Seed Donation Bundles are a great place to start. Follow the link in our bio to request a bundle while supplies last! ...

Jan 17

📣 Registration is open for our Thriving Gardens Course ! This course will,

🌱 Teach you how to grow veggies, flowers, herbs from start to finish through weekly - in the garden - classes May-October
🌱 Teach you how to use what you grow through monthly workshops e.g. fermentation, fabric dyeing, medicinal salves
🌱 Connect you to your community and environment
🌱 Provide all resources needed to grow your own fresh, homegrown veggies for your family, friends and neighbors
🌱 Boost confidence and a sense of purpose

....And so much more

WE LOVE THIS COURSE AND YOU WILL TOO! Learn more about course details and how to sign up at the link in our bio ☀️

(Photo featuring the class of 2023 listening to UVM Professor Vic Izzo, one of our guest speakers, discussing Integrated Pest Management)

📣 Registration is open for our Thriving Gardens Course ! This course will,

🌱 Teach you how to grow veggies, flowers, herbs from start to finish through weekly - in the garden - classes May-October
🌱 Teach you how to use what you grow through monthly workshops e.g. fermentation, fabric dyeing, medicinal salves
🌱 Connect you to your community and environment
🌱 Provide all resources needed to grow your own fresh, homegrown veggies for your family, friends and neighbors
🌱 Boost confidence and a sense of purpose

....And so much more

WE LOVE THIS COURSE AND YOU WILL TOO! Learn more about course details and how to sign up at the link in our bio ☀️

(Photo featuring the class of 2023 listening to UVM Professor Vic Izzo, one of our guest speakers, discussing Integrated Pest Management) ...

Jan 9

The 2024 Fruit & Nut Grant is officially OPEN. Review the grant preparation guide and site assessment resources and APPLY NOW! (link in bio)

The goal of the grant is to increase public access to fruit and nut trees across the state, particularly at sites serving underserved populations. Planting fruit & nut trees not only provides better access to fresh fruit and nuts, but it offers an opportunity for connection through collective growing and education, as well as enhances community gathering spaces. This grant is in partnership with the VT Urban & Community Forestry Program (VT UCF) and has received financial and technical support from Branch Out Burlington!.

The 2024 Fruit & Nut Grant is officially OPEN. Review the grant preparation guide and site assessment resources and APPLY NOW! (link in bio)

The goal of the grant is to increase public access to fruit and nut trees across the state, particularly at sites serving underserved populations. Planting fruit & nut trees not only provides better access to fresh fruit and nuts, but it offers an opportunity for connection through collective growing and education, as well as enhances community gathering spaces. This grant is in partnership with the VT Urban & Community Forestry Program (VT UCF) and has received financial and technical support from Branch Out Burlington!. ...

Dec 15

VGN is excited to announce a 3rd year of the Fruit & Nut Tree Grant! This grant is in partnership with the VT Urban & Community Forestry Program (VT UCF) and has received financial and technical support from @branchoutburlington . The goal of the grant is to increase public access to fruit and nut trees across the state, particularly at sites serving underserved populations. Planting fruit & nut trees not only provides better access to fresh fruit and nuts, but it offers an opportunity for connection through collective growing and education, as well as enhances community gathering spaces. The 2024 grant application will open the first week of January (three weeks away!) - keep an eye out on our website/socials for more information on grant guidelines, timeline, and how to apply.

In the meantime, get inspired by learning more about last year’s grantees and their projects at the link in our bio.

VGN is excited to announce a 3rd year of the Fruit & Nut Tree Grant! This grant is in partnership with the VT Urban & Community Forestry Program (VT UCF) and has received financial and technical support from @branchoutburlington . The goal of the grant is to increase public access to fruit and nut trees across the state, particularly at sites serving underserved populations. Planting fruit & nut trees not only provides better access to fresh fruit and nuts, but it offers an opportunity for connection through collective growing and education, as well as enhances community gathering spaces. The 2024 grant application will open the first week of January (three weeks away!) - keep an eye out on our website/socials for more information on grant guidelines, timeline, and how to apply.

In the meantime, get inspired by learning more about last year’s grantees and their projects at the link in our bio. ...

Dec 12

The @branchoutburlington 17th Annual Tree sale is here! 🌳

Pre-order now for Spring pick up. Branch Out Burlington! is offering bare-root trees at affordable prices.

Choose from many varieties of beautiful trees for shade, fruit, flowers, and fall color.

All the trees are 5-6 feet tall, branched. Don't delay these trees always sell out very early. For tree photos, descriptions, and to order online, go to the link in our bio!

Questions? call or text Kyle 802 825 4505 or email BOBtreesale@gmail.com

Proceeds from the sale support tree donations to schools and non-profits In Vermont (including VGN!), and to produce trees in the community for planting along Burlington's streets.

The @branchoutburlington 17th Annual Tree sale is here! 🌳

Pre-order now for Spring pick up. Branch Out Burlington! is offering bare-root trees at affordable prices.

Choose from many varieties of beautiful trees for shade, fruit, flowers, and fall color.

All the trees are 5-6 feet tall, branched. Don`t delay these trees always sell out very early. For tree photos, descriptions, and to order online, go to the link in our bio!

Questions? call or text Kyle 802 825 4505 or email BOBtreesale@gmail.com

Proceeds from the sale support tree donations to schools and non-profits In Vermont (including VGN!), and to produce trees in the community for planting along Burlington`s streets. ...

Dec 8

Temps are low and mountains are covered in snow! ❄️ For many of us gardeners, winter is a time for rest, reflection, and for planning the season ahead. Any growth at this time of year is usually from within ourselves - unless one partakes in growing microgreens! 🌱 Whether you have a full grow light setup in your basement or an empty window sill, growing some nutritious microgreens right in your home is simple, financially viable, and adds some much needed vibrancy.

Follow the link in our bio to learn more!

Temps are low and mountains are covered in snow! ❄️ For many of us gardeners, winter is a time for rest, reflection, and for planning the season ahead. Any growth at this time of year is usually from within ourselves - unless one partakes in growing microgreens! 🌱 Whether you have a full grow light setup in your basement or an empty window sill, growing some nutritious microgreens right in your home is simple, financially viable, and adds some much needed vibrancy.

Follow the link in our bio to learn more! ...

Nov 16

The Sowing Seeds Internship is an opportunity for hands-on learning to support food access and garden education at the Vermont Garden Network. The internship will offer a unique opportunity to experience and support a handful of programs through administrative support and field work during a time of year when we are gearing up for the growing season ahead. The ideal candidate will skillfully assist with office-related tasks in late winter, then seamlessly transition to physical garden work in early spring, and joyfully wrap up the internship during peak planting time in late spring. Independent work and community-based work are both part of this internship.
January 22 to May 31 // 8 hrs per week
Link in bio with the full internship description!

The Sowing Seeds Internship is an opportunity for hands-on learning to support food access and garden education at the Vermont Garden Network. The internship will offer a unique opportunity to experience and support a handful of programs through administrative support and field work during a time of year when we are gearing up for the growing season ahead. The ideal candidate will skillfully assist with office-related tasks in late winter, then seamlessly transition to physical garden work in early spring, and joyfully wrap up the internship during peak planting time in late spring. Independent work and community-based work are both part of this internship.
January 22 to May 31 // 8 hrs per week
Link in bio with the full internship description! ...

Oct 30

We are excited to share transitions and transformations happening at our mighty organization!

After six years at the helm, our fearless leader, Michelle Gates, will be moving on to pursue new opportunities in the field of nonprofit education. This bittersweet moment is a time to reflect on and appreciate the tremendous amount of work Michelle has done for VGN, garden education and advocacy, and statewide food access, food justice and food security, nutrition, and wellness. No words can fully express the deep gratitude we all feel for the leadership, expertise, dedication, and thoughtfulness that Michelle brought to VGN.

This fall marks a time for great transformation at VGN. As Michelle transitions to a new role, our team is moving towards a shared leadership model as we introduce two Co-Executive Directors – a Director of Programs & Partnerships and a Director of Philanthropy & Communications. We are thrilled to announce that Carolina Lukac, VGN’s Garden Education Manager of 8 years, is bringing her wealth of knowledge and experience into the role of Director of Programs & Partnerships! Carolina’s vision for this work, her ability to make thoughtful and intentional connections with both individuals and groups in this space, and her dedication to garden education and access will propel VGN towards more positive growth.

Thank you for your critical support of the Vermont Garden Network. We are nothing without our network of gardeners, funders, partners and supporters, and we look forward to continuing to collaborate on the many exciting things our future has in store. The Board of Directors and Staff are leading a search for the position of Co-Executive Director, Director of Philanthropy & Communications. Please see the job posting in our bio and share with your networks to help us find the perfect fit for our organization.

We are excited to share transitions and transformations happening at our mighty organization!

After six years at the helm, our fearless leader, Michelle Gates, will be moving on to pursue new opportunities in the field of nonprofit education. This bittersweet moment is a time to reflect on and appreciate the tremendous amount of work Michelle has done for VGN, garden education and advocacy, and statewide food access, food justice and food security, nutrition, and wellness. No words can fully express the deep gratitude we all feel for the leadership, expertise, dedication, and thoughtfulness that Michelle brought to VGN.

This fall marks a time for great transformation at VGN. As Michelle transitions to a new role, our team is moving towards a shared leadership model as we introduce two Co-Executive Directors – a Director of Programs & Partnerships and a Director of Philanthropy & Communications. We are thrilled to announce that Carolina Lukac, VGN’s Garden Education Manager of 8 years, is bringing her wealth of knowledge and experience into the role of Director of Programs & Partnerships! Carolina’s vision for this work, her ability to make thoughtful and intentional connections with both individuals and groups in this space, and her dedication to garden education and access will propel VGN towards more positive growth.

Thank you for your critical support of the Vermont Garden Network. We are nothing without our network of gardeners, funders, partners and supporters, and we look forward to continuing to collaborate on the many exciting things our future has in store. The Board of Directors and Staff are leading a search for the position of Co-Executive Director, Director of Philanthropy & Communications. Please see the job posting in our bio and share with your networks to help us find the perfect fit for our organization. ...

Oct 25

Students of our 6 month long, Thriving gardens course, have officially completed 24 weeks of hands on learning and gardening! We finished the course with a sweet potato harvest 🍠 and garlic planting 🧄. The garlic that's been planted this October will be harvested and enjoyed by next year's class : )

For graduation we shared a potluck, thoughtful class reflections and many hugs. Everyone enjoyed their gifts of lemon balm glycerate, marshmallow root for tea and seeds for next year's gardens 🌞

A lot happens in six months time from moving, marriage, engagements, new jobs, and babies being born ! This year we experienced it all, each of us growing alongside each other and the plants we were tending to with love & care🌱

Students of our 6 month long, Thriving gardens course, have officially completed 24 weeks of hands on learning and gardening! We finished the course with a sweet potato harvest 🍠 and garlic planting 🧄. The garlic that`s been planted this October will be harvested and enjoyed by next year`s class : )

For graduation we shared a potluck, thoughtful class reflections and many hugs. Everyone enjoyed their gifts of lemon balm glycerate, marshmallow root for tea and seeds for next year`s gardens 🌞

A lot happens in six months time from moving, marriage, engagements, new jobs, and babies being born ! This year we experienced it all, each of us growing alongside each other and the plants we were tending to with love & care🌱 ...

Oct 20

VGN is seeking a Co-Executive Director of Philanthropy & Communications

The Co-Executive Director of Philanthropy & Communications is part of a shared leadership structure that governs the operations and program delivery of the Vermont Garden Network. This position reports to the Board or Directors and collaborates with the Co-Executive Director of Programs & Partnerships to educate, support and connect gardeners across the state of Vermont.

View the job description and how to apply at the link in our bio!

VGN is seeking a Co-Executive Director of Philanthropy & Communications

The Co-Executive Director of Philanthropy & Communications is part of a shared leadership structure that governs the operations and program delivery of the Vermont Garden Network. This position reports to the Board or Directors and collaborates with the Co-Executive Director of Programs & Partnerships to educate, support and connect gardeners across the state of Vermont.

View the job description and how to apply at the link in our bio! ...

Oct 19

Today's garlic planting at Seedsong is a symbol of our hopes and dreams for the season ahead. Because this growing season was rough. We worked hard, we laughed, we cried, and still, we continued on as a gardening collective. We invite you to scroll through photos that will take you on the journey of our growing season, highlighting memorable moments and sharing a glimpse into one of VGN's garden education programs where growing food has grown a tight knit community of gardeners. Captions for each photo are included below, and continue in the comments.

April: One of our goals is to extend the season as long as possible with the minimal infrastructure we have in a small-scale market garden. Overwintering spinach, mache and claytonia allows us to offer garden members harvest in early Spring.

April: We finally got our hands on a tilther to try out user-friendly machinery for low-till market gardening. Our friends at the @intervalecenter lent us their tilther to make the most beautiful, evenly amended, smooth, perfectly sized market garden beds.

May: Every year we dedicate funds and extra effort to a garden improvement project. This year we installed a metal fence to prevent deer from devouring our crops. The timeless saying "many hands make light work" guides our collective organizing and we are immensely grateful for the many hands that helped us put up the fence.

May: Among the 19 garden members of Seedsong, we likely have over 100 photos of beautiful harvest! Here is one of our early season delights: overwintered spinach and purple asparagus spears. Our work-trade agreement with members is that everyone works a 2hr weekly shift in the garden in exchange for whatever is harvestable at the moment.

(continued in comments)

Today`s garlic planting at Seedsong is a symbol of our hopes and dreams for the season ahead. Because this growing season was rough. We worked hard, we laughed, we cried, and still, we continued on as a gardening collective. We invite you to scroll through photos that will take you on the journey of our growing season, highlighting memorable moments and sharing a glimpse into one of VGN`s garden education programs where growing food has grown a tight knit community of gardeners. Captions for each photo are included below, and continue in the comments.

April: One of our goals is to extend the season as long as possible with the minimal infrastructure we have in a small-scale market garden. Overwintering spinach, mache and claytonia allows us to offer garden members harvest in early Spring.

April: We finally got our hands on a tilther to try out user-friendly machinery for low-till market gardening. Our friends at the @intervalecenter lent us their tilther to make the most beautiful, evenly amended, smooth, perfectly sized market garden beds.

May: Every year we dedicate funds and extra effort to a garden improvement project. This year we installed a metal fence to prevent deer from devouring our crops. The timeless saying "many hands make light work" guides our collective organizing and we are immensely grateful for the many hands that helped us put up the fence.

May: Among the 19 garden members of Seedsong, we likely have over 100 photos of beautiful harvest! Here is one of our early season delights: overwintered spinach and purple asparagus spears. Our work-trade agreement with members is that everyone works a 2hr weekly shift in the garden in exchange for whatever is harvestable at the moment.

(continued in comments) ...

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