PRESS RELEASE

May 11, 2011
St. J. Area Local Food Alliance
c/o St. J. Food Co-op
490 Portland St.
St. Johnsbury, VT 05819

Contact: Melissa Bridges

802-748-9498
E-Mail: Melissa
St. J. ALFA

How many ways can a garden grow? Community Collaboration hosts workshop series.

Container gardens, Lasagna gardening, square foot gardening, raised beds, wide rows...How many ways can a garden grow? Come explore all these ways and more during an interactive hands-on workshops on Wednesday, May 25 from 4:30-6:30 pm at the newly tilled teaching garden located at the Community Gardens of NVRH in St. Johnsbury and on June 14 from 4:30-6:30 at the Lincoln Street Community Gardens located behind the NEKCA building on Lincoln St. in St. Johnsbury. Additional workshops are being planned for other community garden sites in the region.

These workshops are presented by the St. Johnsbury Area Local Food Alliance (St J ALFA) in collaboration with University of Vermont Extension Master Gardeners, the St. J. Food Co-op, and Northern Vermont Regional Hospital.

Learn how to produce more from your garden while reducing weeds and the need for irrigation. Master Gardeners will present the workshops and discuss a variety of garden types as well as answer gardening questions. May's presentation will highlight the technique of square foot gardening with a hands on demonstration at the newly cultivated teaching garden at NVRH. June's workshop will focus on container gardening and give participants a chance to view another active community garden. Both events will provide opportunities to discuss, network, obtain resources, get hands in the dirt and enjoy a fresh taste of local spring salads.

The objective of St. J. ALFA is to strengthen our regional food system and increase food sustainability and security, so that all community members have access to affordable, healthy, locally produced food. Through a series of summer workshops that will take place at several local community gardens the collaboration is hoping to increase awareness around the many community gardens in St. Johnsbury and to increase local food education, awareness and most importantly affordable access to local, fresh foods.

A suggested donation of $5 is requested. Pre-registration is suggested but not required and can be done by contacting St. J. ALFA at info@stj-alfa.org and reference 'workshop ' in the subject line, info@stjfoodcoop.com or by calling the St J Food Co-op at 802-748-9498. St. J ALFA is recruiting volunteers to help with educational events. Please use the previous contact information if interested in volunteering.