Homegrown Minneapolis Food Council Seeks Members

Attention Minneapolis residents! Are you looking for a way to impact local food policy and food systems? The Homegrown Minneapolis Food Council is seeking members to be a part of this team that proposes and works on innovative solutions to improve the local food system.

The Homegrown Minneapolis Food Council is a City advisory group that works to support all Minneapolis residents and increase access to quality food, address hunger and food insecurity, connect sectors of the food system, influence policy and decision making, and ensure an environmentally sustainable and socially just food system. Fifteen (15) community members will be appointed by the Mayor and City Council. Members serve two-year terms. More information.

To learn more, visit the Food Council webpage or attend an upcoming Food Council meeting and info session:

- Wednesday, August 9 at Pillsbury United Communities | (125 West Broadway Ave)

- Wednesday, September 13 at Corcoran Neighborhood Organization | (3451 Cedar Ave S)

Info session from 5-5:30 pm; Food Council meeting from 5:30pm – 7:30pm.

Apply today!

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For reasonable accommodations or alternative formats please contact Lisa Brock at lisa.brock@minneapolismn.gov or 612-673-2201. People who are deaf or hard of hearing can use a relay service
to call 311 agents at 612-673-3000. TTY users can call 612-673-2157 or 612-673-2626.

Para asistencia 612-673-2700 •  Rau kev pab 612-673-2800 • Hadii aad Caawimaad u baahantahay
612-673-3500.

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Edison Community Garden

As the Edison High School plaza continues to take shape, a garden is springing up alongside the gym, thanks to the school's new Spark-Y program.Edison High School sophmore Connor Arneson (pictured at left) is one of the four Spark-Y interns who are installing the Edison Community Garden this summer. As part of the Spark-Y curriculum last year, students created a variety of garden designs and then asked the community to vote on them. This summer Connor spent a couple of weeks modifying the design to fit the dimensions of the garden space. After that was completed the interns, with assistance from community volunteers, began the construction work on the garden, including a pergola and path. They expect to have the garden completed by mid-August.Spark-Y is a non-profit organization that provides sustainable education for youth by focusing on urban agriculture systems. The Spark-Y curriculum was introduced at Edison High School last fall with a hands-on aquaponics program. For more information about Spark-Y, visit: http://spark-y.org/.

Order a Compost Bin or Rain Barrel

Get a jump-start on gardening by ordering a $59 compost bin or a $74 rain barrel for your home. (These regularly cost $105 and $139.)

By using a compost bin, you can keep more than a quarter of your household waste out of the garbage while making valuable compost for your garden.

A rain barrel will help you save water and money by using rainwater rather than the faucet for your garden and trees. Rain barrels are also a way of trapping the stormwater that runs toward the storm drains – picking up pollutants along the way – and into our lakes, streams and rivers.

Order now and you’ll be able to pick up your compost bin or rain barrel at 3607 E. 44th St. in Minneapolis Saturday, April 30. To place your order, find more information or see other dates and locations, go to www.recycleminnesota.org.

Minneapolis Tree Sale Begins Monday, March 21

The Minneapolis Tree Sale begins at 9 a.m., Monday, March 21. The City is offering more than 1,200 three- to eight-foot trees for only $25 each. Minneapolis property owners, including residents, businesses and non-profits, may order one tree per property, maximum of three properties.

Visit http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/sustainability/action/canopy/WCMS1P-136912 for more information.

This is a popular program and some varieties do sell out, so plan to order early for best selection. You can visit the Tree Trust website for more information and color photos of available varieties.You can pick up your ordered tree on Saturday, May 21 (8 am-2 pm), Sunday, May 22 (8 am-2 pm) or Monday, May 23 (3-7 pm) at the Minneapolis Impound Lot, 51 Colfax Avenue North. You must plant your tree on your own private property - not on the boulevard (area between sidewalk and street). It is the law to call Gopher State One Call (651-454-0002) at least three days before digging. They will mark buried utility lines for your safety. Large shade trees should be planted at least fifteen feet away from nearby power lines and/or buildings.The City of Minneapolis has funded the City Trees program since 2006. In the past seven years, the City Trees program has planted more than 8,900 trees in Minneapolis, an accomplishment made possible through the hard work of Tree Trust staff and volunteers.

Raingarden Workshop: Planting for Pollinators

Help keep our river and lakes clean while creating a beautiful and bee/butterfly-friendly habitat in your yard. Raingardens are designed to capture rainwater and allow it to soak into the ground within 48 hours. When they are planted with local native plants that also encourage and feed pollinators, their positive impact on our environment is maximized.

Metro Blooms is offering a workshop on Thursday, April 18, 6-9 p.m., at Audubon Park Recreation Center that will give an overview of raingardens and native plants, as well as resources for hire if you need extra help. The cost is $15. To register for this or other workshops that are being offered in the metro area this spring, visit metroblooms.org or call 651-699-2426.