More Gardens Fund

Programs: _____________________ primary exempt purpose _____________________________ _____ _______________ 1- more gardens' "rise up" free family upstate summer camp - south bronx children and their families are transported to the minnewaska state wilderness park's brand new campsite surrounded by trees, stars, with all the wonders of nature in-between. We challenge our families to rock climb with world class climbing instructors and hike in breathtaking ny state preserves. Local native american history of the land is shared by renowned native historian evan prichard. Campers swim daily in crystalline mountaintop lakes, plant indigenous three sister seeds with the hudson valley seed company, visit and pick greens at a local farm, wildcraft and make medicine with local herbs and flowers. The campers are energized with freshly cooked organic local foods grown in the hudson valley, storytelling, singing and music around the campfire. Grant-$26,000 expenses-$27,000 _____________ ___________________ _______________ 2-children's magical garden summer camp - this free camp is a way to make sure our community garden serves the children who need it the most-- low-income city children who would not otherwise have access to nature in the summer. They are mentored by young educators some of which grew up in the community garden just like themselves! The campers are immersed in permaculture, urban farming, strategies for youth activism, collaborative arts in nature, herbal medicine, and are nurtured to grow their unique creativity within the group dynamics. We also made fantastic trips to other community gardens and urban farms where the children were able to learn from wise urban farmers and jk canepa and yonette flemming, as well as visits from historian and mic-mac elder evan pritchard, who had also joined us on our upstate camp. With the help of artist darren borkel, the campers painted their future visions of the community garden on an expansive mural. The inclusion of cooperative-style teaching brought the deepening of the playful education. Parents and dedicated community garden members contributed to the essential success and joy of this camp. Grant-$4,500; expenses-$9,000 ______________ _______________ 3-art collaborations & earth-based arts. Aresh javadi, along with help from other artists george hirose and darren borkel, are working on an egg-shaped chicken coop to be completed by the spring as well as rock garden bed, and murals. In other collaborations more gardens! Shared its creative aspects of puppetry, parades, and banners to help support the preservation of several other endangered community gardens. Grant-$900; budget-$900 ___________________ _____________________ ____________ _______________ 4-honk for more gardens! Community garden parade- this collaboration, brought out the best of pageantry and international marching bands to the lower east side. Our theme was community, art, preservation and self-governance of community gardens for all. Grants-$900 expenses-$900 _____________________ __________________________________________ _______________ 5- free chaharshanbe suri fire festival in nyc community garden - a transformational fire jumping night, in a lower east side community garden celebrating the festival of fire to usher in the spring! Music food and performances. Located at el jardin del paraiso community garden. Grant-$800; expenses-$800 __________________ ___________________ _____________________ _______________ 6- educational collaborations: more gardens! Continued to liaison with local schools (school for global leaders, ps120), to put school children in touch with community garden projects around the city. We also worked directly with interns from several manhattan & south bronx high schools as well as national universities (arizona state, kansas state, pinkerton academy and nyu). Grant-$500; expenses-$600