USDA Expands People's Garden Initiative to Sow Seeds for Community-Based Agriculture across the Country

WASHINGTON, Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan visited a community garden in Baltimore to announce 10 grants to support 155 People's Gardens in neighborhoods from Maryland to Hawaii, continuing the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) efforts to combat malnutrition while supporting local and regional food systems. These sustainable community gardens will give residents direct access to fresh fruits and vegetables in underserved neighborhoods. A lack of access to fresh and nutritious food fuels obesity and domestic food insecurity—a condition where households experience limited or uncertain access to adequate food.

"The simple act of planting a garden can help unite neighborhoods around a common effort and inspire communities to find solutions to challenges facing our country—from hunger to the environment," said Merrigan. "The People's Garden Initiative has demonstrated that one direct and effective way of improving food access is to plant a garden. Since establishing our People's Garden Initiative, we're excited to see more and more people working together to create nurturing communities around these sources of nutritious food."

Class on Tree Biology, Planting & Pruning offered in Ketchikan

June 29, 2009
Monday

Ketchikan, Alaska - The Alaska Division of Forestry, Community Forestry Program announces a one day class on the biology of trees and proper pruning and planting techniques. The class will be held on Thursday, July 16, 2009 at the Ketchikan Gateway Borough office at 1900 First Street.

Decisions made about trees are more successful when based on an understanding of tree anatomy and biology. This class is intended for anyone who designs, plants or cares for landscapes with trees including arborists, landscape architects, park and public works staff, groundskeepers and nursery professionals

The class will cover how trees function as complex systems and how to use this information when selecting, siting, planting, pruning, and maintaining landscape trees. A classroom presentation will be followed by a demonstration in the field and hands-on experience in pruning and planting trees.

More information and a registration form can be found online at http://forestry.alaska.gov/community/ or at the Division of Forestry office in Ketchikan located at 2417 Tongass Avenue, Suite 213.

Trees: Biology, Planting & Pruning
Registration fee is $35
Thursday, July 16, 2009, 8:00 ~ 5:00
Class location: Ketchikan Gateway Borough office, 1900 First St., first floor
Instructor: Jim Flott, Community Forestry Consultants, Inc. of Spokane Washington

Sponsored by the Alaska Division of Forestry, Community Forestry Program