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.
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
December 7, 2023
The first meeting TVCGCoop had (for the first time in over a year) brought together various stakeholders—including community gardens and supporting organizations— from across Treasure Valley, highlighting their diverse experiences, challenges, and plans. Attendees discussed topics ranging from educational initiatives to volunteer recruitment and sustainable practices.
Key points included insights from garden managers, educators, and representatives from organizations like the Boise School District, University of Idaho Extension, City of Boise Climate Action Division, and Boise Urban Gardens (BUGs). Action items included exploring collaborations with schools, resource sharing, grants, and developing tools for community engagement. The meeting concluded with a commitment to fostering community engagement, education, and sustainable practices within the Treasure Valley's community gardens, with plans to further outreach, network, and potentially establish a nonprofit organization to support these efforts.
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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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