May 2017 Monthly Meeting

THE MAY MEETING is at the Wakeman Center.

On Tuesday, May 16, Jamie Tara O'Gorman will speak on Island Grown Initiative's Gleaning Program.

About the Gleaning Program:
Food waste is a huge problem nationwide - 40-50% of the food we grow is never eaten. On the island there are at least 20,000 pounds of potential crop waste each year, so the Island Grown Initiative (IGI) gleaners are working to capture this quality produce and redirect it. They partner with programs providing meals and groceries to those in need, and organizations serving elderly, disabled, low-income, and marginalized community members. In the schools, they bring fresh produce to the cafeterias and facilitate educational gleaning field trips.

Jamie Tara will provide a general introduction to the history and purpose of gleaning. She will describe how the IGI Gleaning Program works on the Vineyard and its collaboration with Island Grown Schools. She will also outline volunteer opportunities and, hopefully, sign up some Garden Club members as volunteers!

For More Information
You can go to Island Grown Initiative’s web site, www.igi.org, or to Facebook Island Grown Gleaning. 

About the Jamie Tara O'Gorman:
Born and raised in rural Nova Scotia, Jamie grew up with an appreciation for the outdoors.  She came into the local food movement shortly after moving to the Vineyard, when she worked as a farm helper at Native Earth Teaching Farm.  With Island Grown Initiative, Jamie has been the Gleaning Program Leader since 2011 and has overseen the recovery of about 125,000 pounds of farm surplus produce.  She is now also working to revive an old homestead farm in Chilmark (Quanaimes Gardens) where she grows food for wholesale and a small CSA.
NOTE:  Although the address is 67 David Avenue, the best way to get to the Wakeman Center is via Helen Avenue.
IMPORTANT:  
Until June, all meetings will be held at the WAKEMAN CONSERVATION CENTER in Vineyard Haven.  
Parking at the Wakeman Center is limited.  Please carpool.  
For more information about getting to the Wakeman Center, click HERE.
Upcoming Meetings:
The Program Committee have completed plans for monthly meetings our meetings for 2017.  Check HERE to see who else will be speaking in 2017.
 
* PLEASE NOTE:  
Our meetings are open to the public; there is a meeting fee of ten dollars for non-members. 
Any updates and weather-related scheduled changes will be noted here and messages sent via email to members.
2017 Program Committee:
Members:  Chair: Anda Woodward, with Karen Kolb, Kathy Kitsock, Tracie Clark, and Mary Lou DeLong.