Gardening after the flood: Food Safety Advisory 

The Vermont Department of Health is advising gardeners to throw away any fruits and vegetables - including root crops - that have been in contact with floodwater. According to the federal Food and Drug Administration, all flood-affected crops - fruits and vegetables, above and below ground - should not be consumed, sold or given away. Apples, pears or other high-growing fruit that were not touched by floodwater should be washed with a known safe source of water before eating.

This is difficult advice to take for gardeners who have been nurturing crops all summer, but the extent of the flooding - and the fact that many wastewater treatment plants and septic systems have overflowed - means that much of the produce may be unsafe.  

"Any fresh produce that has been in contact with floodwaters cannot be considered safe to eat," said Health Commissioner Harry Chen, MD. "This is a change from our earlier advisory. Because the flooding was so extensive and so forceful, there is potential for contamination that cannot be washed or disinfected away."

For more information, visit the Vermont Department of Health website. 

• For a list of organizations providing immediate relief, see the Vermont Community Foundation's website.
• The Vermont Community Foundation and the Agency of Agriculture have established a  Vermont Farm Disaster Relief Fund to provide grant support to farms of any size that have sustained losses in the wake of Hurricane Irene.
• VCF also offers Special and Urgent Needs grants to nonprofit organizations in the hardest hit communities.   
• The #VTresponse website is a clearinghouse for flood updates and volunteer deployment. 

Music by Jenni Johnson & Friends - Local Food Feast - Garden Tours - Best-dressed Veggie Contest

Reserve your tickets now for the annual Corn Roast & Veggie Ball. Join us to celebrate the harvest and enjoy a scrumptious veggie feast, roast corn, and music and dancing with Jenni Johnson and friends. Tickets are $25 for adults and teens; $10 for 12 and under; free for toddlers.

This event is a celebration of the things that bring us together in times of crisis: good food, good music, good company, and goodwill. It is also a tribute to FBG Founder Jim Flint's tireless work supporting school, community, and neighborhood gardens in Burlington and across the state. As FBG heads into its 11th year and Jim starts a new chapter in his life, we are grateful for the solid foundation that he has built and we look forward to continuing his work growing gardens, fresh food, happy people, and healthy communities.   

Garden Funding Opportunities 

There are several upcoming garden funding opportunities, some of which could be used to help with gardens affected by flooding. 

New England Grassroots Environment Fund 

Who May Apply: Grassroots groups working on community level issues - including gardens - with less than 2 full-time paid staff and operating budgets of less than $100,000.
Details: Grant awards range from $500 to $2,500. NEGEF recognizes the power of community-building through gardens and encourages whole systems-thinking that is focused on making our environment and communities better, healthier and more sustainable.
Deadline: Sept. 15, 2011

More info:  http://grassrootsfund.org/grants/small_grants/

ACGA and Gardener's Supply Grant Program 

Who May Apply: Established or developing community gardens. Applicant or garden must be an American Community Gardening Association member.

Amount: Up to $1,000 for projects that build community in community gardens
Deadline: Oct. 1, 2011 with awards announced Nov. 15, 2011. 

More info: http://communitygarden.org/learn/acgagardenerssupply.php  

Youth Garden Grants sponsored by Home Depot

Who May Apply: K-12 teachers, educators, coordinators, and parents. 

Details: Applicants must plan to garden with at least 15 children between the ages of 3 and 18 years.Schools, youth groups, community centers, camps, clubs, treatment facilities, and inter-generational groups are eligible. Priority will be give to programs that emphasize one or more of these elements: Educational focus or curricular/program integration, nutrition or plant-to-food connections, environmental awareness/education, entrepreneurship, and social aspects of gardening such as leadership development, team building, community support, or service-learning.

Amount: 95 $500 awards, 5 $1,000 awards    

Deadline: Nov. 28th, 2011

More Info:  http://www.kidsgardening.org/grants-and-awards  

Subaru Healthy Sprouts

Who May Apply: K-12 teachers, educators, coordinators, and parents.  

Details: School or organization must plan to garden in 2012 with at least 15 children between the ages of 3 and 18. The selection of winners is based on the demonstrated relationship between the garden program and education related to environmental, nutrition and hunger issues.

Amount: 50 $500 awards    

Deadline: Nov. 30th, 2011

More Info:  http://www.kidsgardening.org/grants/2011-subaru-healthy-sprouts-award  

Mantis Tiller Grants  

Who May Apply: K-12 teachers, educators, garden coordinators, parents, and interested parties.  

Details: In the past, winners have included schools, churches, correctional facilities, parks departments, youth camps, community gardens, and many others. Applicants must operate a charitable or educational program that is not-for-profit. The tiller may not be used as a prize for fundraising (e.g., auction or raffle).

Amount: 25 programs will each receive a Mantis Tiller/Cultivator with border/edger and kickstand, and their choice of gas-powered 2-cycle engine or electric motor. Total value  $349.00.  

Deadline: March 1st, 2012

More Info:  http://www.kidsgardening.org/grants/2012-mantis-awards-community-and-youth-gardens 

More upcoming events:     

Growing Local Fest - Fundraiser for the "Garden in Every Washington County School" initiative: 2-7 p.m. Sept. 10, Vermont College of Fine Arts Green, Montpelier.  

10th Annual Small Farm Food Fest: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 11, Shelburne Orchards, Shelburne.

Farm To School Community Volunteer Training: 9-10:30 a.m. Sept. 13, Forest Center at the National Historical Park in Wooodstock.  

Celebrating Farm to School: Vermont Farm to School Network Forum: 4-6 p.m. Sept. 19, Randolf Elementary School.    

Healthy City Benefit Bake: 5-10 p.m. American Flatbread Burlington Hearth, Burlington. 

33rd Annual Shelburne Farms Harvest Festival: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 17 Shelburne Farms, Shelburne. 

New England Grassroots Environment Fund 15th Anniversary Celebration: Oct. 22, New Bedford, Mass.

School Nutrition Association of Vermont Fall Conference: Oct. 21-22 at Lake Morley Resort in Fairlee.