Meeting Notes
Our TVCGCoop community has always been driven by the desire to make a positive impact, particularly in the realms of hunger relief, food security, and community engagement. The need for what we do has not slowed at all. In fact, according to FRAC (the Food Research Assistance Center), grocery prices increased by 24% since January 2022, compared to a 3% increase between 2017 and 2020. Up 25% since 2020 according to the USDA Economic Research Service Nov. 2024 and Civil Eats Sept. 2024.
We are more than gardeners, we are cultivating space for growing good food and meaningful community connections. In this work, we’re creating safe and beautiful spaces for people to spend time in.
January 21, 2025
The January 2025 TVCGCoop meeting brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including community gardeners, educators, Master Gardeners, and representatives from supporting organizations across Treasure Valley. Discussions covered a range of topics, from managing compost and food waste to fostering community connections and addressing challenges like equipment access and sustainable gardening practices.
Key Highlights:
Interest in establishing a shared equipment library to support larger gardening tasks, with discussion of potential partnerships to address challenges like storage and repair costs.
Updates from Global Gardens, BUGS, and Black Liberation Collective on efforts to support green spaces for multiple benefits to community, create sustainable school gardens, and launch new community gardens.
Insights into balancing easy-to-maintain educational gardens with students’ interest in growing food, as shared by Julia with Boise School District’s Green Teams.
Ideas to address food waste recovery, including innovative composting methods and partnerships.
Strategies to improve life balance for gardeners, such as reducing workdays during extreme weather, and leveraging efficient tools and systems.
The health benefits of small-space gardening, particularly for those with limited growing areas, as emphasized by Marylou Stockton.
The meeting reinforced a commitment to collaboration, education, and sustainable practices within the Treasure Valley’s gardening community. Moving forward, efforts will focus on expanding partnerships, improving resource accessibility, and supporting local gardeners and green initiatives.
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January 28th, 2024 - Coffee Klatsch with School Gardeners
Representatives from various schools and districts, including elementary and middle schools, along with individuals from community organizations such as the Meridian Co-op Gardeners, Boise School District, and BUGs, convened to share their experiences, stories, goals, and challenges among school gardens. Topics included garden management, curriculum integration, stakeholders, volunteer recruitment, and community engagement. Insights were shared on successful strategies for sustaining school gardens and leveraging resources from local organizations like the City Compost program and the City of Trees Challenge. Plans for future collaboration and support within the community were also discussed.
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April 1st, 2024
Representatives from various schools and community organizations, including elementary, middle and junior high schools, convened to discuss their experiences and challenges with school gardens. They shared insights on sustaining school gardens, volunteer engagement strategies, leveraging local resources, and fostering community partnerships. Plans were made for collaboration, support, and future events, such as garden tours.
The focus was on mutual support, sharing strategies, and pooling resources to advance school and community garden initiatives. Efforts are underway to develop sustainable long-term strategies, including exploring stipend systems for garden managers and collecting data on garden goals and positive community impacts.
Challenges such as garden closures and community engagement were also addressed, with discussions on potential collaborations between schools and community gardens to enhance experiential learning opportunities. Overall, the meeting aimed to strengthen connections, share resources, and promote mutual enthusiasm for school and community garden partnerships!
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