We are at a time when we are digitally connected in so many ways, yet it feels as though our ability to connect with the earth and other people is diminishing. One of the big benefits of a community garden is to allow individuals to connect with food in a way that is lost with our large scale processed food society.

I planted sunflowers to remind me of Italy. It was my first planting experience. I felt like a new mom anxiously watching over the seeds, hoping to see a sprout or two. To my amazement and joy, several sunflowers popped out and grew tall and beautiful. It was lovely to look out the window and see the bright colors and the happy little bees buzzing around all summer long. 

When I saw the bees buzzing around, I came to a realization, in my quest for a positive memory of my travels in Italy, I inadvertently created a source of food for the bees and enriched the soil. I lived in a rental at that time and there was a grape vine next to where I planted the sunflowers. It wasn't healthy. But, after the sunflowers grew, the grape vine perked up and seemed to revitalize itself before my very eyes. The bees buzzed busily around the grapes and the sunflowers. It was then I realized adding something to remind me of happy times, also had an impact on the environment in my little yard. I unintentionally made an impact on the soil and the bees without thought! I thought to myself.... I wonder what could happen, if I did something positive with thought and planning for the environment? My positive impact could create ripples and have far more impact that I could possibly imagine. Oh, the possibilities!! 

I utilized the NYS M/WBE directory to see which companies in our area are minority business enterprises or women business enterprises. One of the businesses listed JMZ, who we current use (and have so in the past) for our facilities master plan. https://ny.newnycontracts.com/FrontEnd/SearchCertifiedDirectory.asp?XID=8535&TN=ny

By thinking about the origins of my breakfast, an orange, the milk, the oats, raisins, nuts in the (homemade) granola, and the processing and transportation that got them to me, I appreciate the interconnections of our food system, and identify parts I want to strengthen, or avoid.

The area I live is a "walking school district". In addition to the exercise, I am glad to have the time to walk my son to school each day. During cold/rainy weather it can be more of a struggle to get out the door, but overall I think the walk to and from school is a positive way to start and end the school day.

The area I live is a "walking school district". In addition to the exercise, I am glad to have the time to walk my son to school each day. During cold/rainy weather it can be more of a struggle to get out the door, but overall I think the walk to and from school is a positive way to start and end the school day.

My daughter and I are vegetarians.  Since I do most of our family cooking (my husband does the cleaning), this basically means that my husband and son are mostly vegetarian as well.  My daughter and I have set a personal goal of finding and cooking one new vegetarian meal a week during my time off this summer.

Our family is working to use the leftover bits from our fresh vegetables to make stock.  We then freeze the stock for use later.  We are also having leftover nights for dinner and then freezing anything remaining that was not eaten.  Lastly, we have hired a composting company to come weekly to pick up our compost and are composting anything remaining.