Fostering self-reliant families and healthy, sustainable communities.
April 2019

Dear Friend,

Happy Spring! Gardeners are eager to get their hands dirty here in Trenton (happily, the growing season is about a month longer here than in the suburbs and farms around us). Check out the  Gardening Calendar to see upcoming events and join us at our annual horse plow with Howell Living History Farm on April 9.

The  2018 Annual Report is out, and I’m excited to share it. Last year will go down as a bellwether year in the history of Isles (which I continue to write, between all our work and teaching half time). We moved Trenton towards an IQ-building, lead-free future by 2027, influenced statewide policy and practices to tackle lead threats, prevent violence, and expand solar and electric vehicle access. Let us know what
you think!
 
This diverse, innovative work only happens when friends like you help out. Your valuable, unrestricted funding leverages at least four times more in restricted funding.

This year, we’re “sweetening the pot” for our spring appeal by raffling off jars of our award winning, Trenton-based honey to our spring donors. In addition, a donor agreed to match all donations up to a total of $10k! Help us hit our goal by
Earth Day!  
 
Grow where you’re planted, 
Marty Johnson
2019 Annual Report
"But can we rig a good system, too?"
Marty Johnson asks on p. 3.

"For your life to hit a 180 — man, it’s a great feeling, I loved it.”
Discover success stories from IYI students on p. 5.

"By 2018, we tested more than 550 homes for lead in paint, water and soil, asthma triggers and other health threats – while educating the residents."
Learn more about testing for lead on p.9.

Isles' Horse Plow on April 9, 2019
Isles invites you on April 9 to experience farming the old-fashioned way! Join us as staff from the Howell Living History Farm show us their old-fashioned gardening techniques. Participants include elementary school kids, farm staff and community gardeners who strive to create a stronger future through food.

Double Your Impact this April
Isles’ gardens, clean energy job training, and creation of safe, green spaces are just some of the ways we strengthen the environment. Your support helps us make Trenton cleaner, greener, and healthy.
 
Grow your impact: all donations made between today and Earth Day will be matched up to $10,000, thanks to an anonymous donor.
 
To sweeten the deal, all online donations in April will be entered into a raffle for jars of our award-winning, Trenton-based honey.
 
Help us raise 10k for Earth Day by donating at isles.org/donate.