Official Publication of Square Foot Gardening Foundation
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Harvest of News
In this Issue:
- Square Foot Gardening with Kids now available on Amazon
- How to Become a USDA Certified Organic Grower
- 15 Ways to Attract Clients to a SFG Business
- 7th Bi-Annual National Farm-to-Cafeteria Conference
- Quote of the Month: Oscar de La Renta
- Elizabeth Hicks, CI, Class Photo
- Sow it Forward Garden Grant Application Deadline Extended
- Upcoming Events
A Square Foot Garden is more than just a perfect place to
grow vegetables—it is an ideal environment for sharing and learning with kids
of all ages. This book teaches you how.
For two generations, Mel Bartholomew’s top-selling Square
Foot Gardening books have made his revolutionary system for growing
vegetables available to millions of people. In Square Foot Gardening with
Kids, Mel reveals all of the tips, tricks, and fun projects he has used
over the decades in one of his most cherished pursuits: teaching youngsters to
build and grow their own kid-sized SFGs. Because of its simple principles and
fast payoff, Square Foot Gardening is perfect for children.
How to Become a USDA Certified Organic
Grower
Square Foot
Gardens are a natural way to grow healthy food. Most people know that food
grown in a Square Foot Garden is supposed to be free of pesticides and
fertilizers. And most people use their Square Foot Gardens just to feed their
own families; they’re not interested in selling for profit. However, there are
other Square Foot Gardeners who have developed thriving businesses selling
their products at farmer’s markets, roadside stands, health food stores,
specialty grocers and restaurants.
In most
cases, becoming “certified organic” is not really necessary. There are a lot of
steps involved to becoming certified by the USDA as an organic grower. This
includes completing an application, submitting fees, and submitting to inspections.
It is not for everybody, and it is not required
in order to sell your produce. However, you may feel that it would benefit you
if you have a large SFG operation and you plan to do high-production growing
for profit over the long-term.
Are you
interested in becoming a large-scale production, certified organic famer? There
are certain advantages to having the “certified organic” label on your produce.
Chiefly, produce with the certified organic label will bring a higher price at
market. According to USDA statistics, organic sales reached $35 billion in the
US in 2012.
Also this
label lets people know that they food they are purchasing from you:
- Has been grown without pesticides
- Has been grown without chemical, manmade fertilizers
- Does not contain GMOs (genetically modified organisms)
- Is natural, wholesome, and healthier
- Is free of contaminants
This website
of the United States Department of Agriculture lists the steps to become
“certified organic.”
Here are the
benefits, according to USDA:
“Becoming certified organic helps farmers:
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Financial assistance
to offset the cost of certification is available too:
“Once
you are certified, the USDA Organic Certification Cost-Share Programs can
reimburse you up to 75 percent of your certification costs.” (USDA.gov)
The content
of this newsletter is Copyright January 2014 by Square Foot Gardening
Foundation. All Rights Reserved.
15 Ways to Attract Clients
to a Square Foot Gardening Business
- Word of mouth – ask happy clients to refer others
- Home parties
- Gardening classes – advertise in local papers, on the Internet, in garden clubs, on library bulletin boards and at local nurseries and garden centers
- Display gardens
- Farm / garden tours
- Give out business cards
- Give speeches at various events
- Farmer’s Markets
- Business cards
- Website
- Get involved in local community events, community gardens, groups
- Let all your friends and family know what you do
- Street / yard sign
- Community bulletins / town newsletters
- Local radio interviews
Do
you have other ideas? Please send them in to share with others!
7th Bi-Annual
National Farm-to-Cafeteria Conference
Austin, Texas, April
15-18th, 2014
People
engaged in the “farm to cafeteria” movement will converge on Austin, Texas
April 15-18, 2014 at the Austin Hilton for the 7th National Farm to
Cafeteria Conference.
This
conference offers over 40 workshops showcasing networking opportunities,
entertainment options, Austin’s local food culture, and general information on
the state of the movement.
If you’d like to attend but are short on funds, they are offering a limited number of scholarships for the price of the conference fees. You have to apply for scholarships before January 31, 2014 and the sooner you apply, the better your chances.
More than
1,000 attendees from all 50 states of the USA are expected to attend.
Pre-conference events begin April 15th, and include field trips, half- and full-day courses and a reception.
Held biannually, the next conference will not take place until 2016.
The Farm-to-Cafeteria movement looks to end childhood obesity and strengthen local food systems.
Conference rates (excluding special events and pre-conference events) are:
- Early bird rate (deadline March 4): $350
- Regular rate: $400
- One day rate: $170
- Half-day rate (Friday only): $80
Click here to access the online scholarship application
Note: If you choose to apply for a scholarship, DO NOT REGISTER for the conference until you are notified if you are approved. Notification of scholarships will take place before 2/28/2014.
Elizabeth Winslow
Email: conference@farmtoschool.org
Phone: 512-568-1815
Media Contact:
Chelsey Simpson
Email: chelsey@farmtoschool.org
Phone: 405-684-7608
Sponsorship:
Jaime Lockwood
Email: jaime@farmtoschool.org
Phone: 267-324-8583
Quote
of the Month
“Gardening is how I
relax. It’s another form of creating and playing with colors.” ~Oscar de la
Renta
Photo: Elizabeth Hicks getting ready to instruct class
Elizabeth Hicks, CI, Held Extension & Community College SFG Classes
From Elizabeth, "Just thought I would let you know I taught my first class at the County Extension Office for Masters Gardeners and had about 40 people there. I have 2 other classes set for the community college. I have enclosed a pic getting ready for the class.
Thank you
Elizabeth Hicks, Certified Instructor, SFGF"
Sow it Forward Garden Grant Extended Deadline
"This is to
let you know that we're extending our Sow It Forward garden grant application
by one week to midnight, January 12th. Although many
have managed to submit their applications, we know that several haven't either for technical
reasons or because of inclement weather (many schools in the Northeast were
closed Thursday and Friday because of snow and teachers haven't been able to
access files).
The new deadline is now reflected on our website, but the automated messages applicants receive when they save a draft of their application or submit is still showing the old deadline of January 5th. We'll correct those as soon as we can.
While I have your attention, I'd like to suggest a few tips for those of you still having trouble:
The new deadline is now reflected on our website, but the automated messages applicants receive when they save a draft of their application or submit is still showing the old deadline of January 5th. We'll correct those as soon as we can.
While I have your attention, I'd like to suggest a few tips for those of you still having trouble:
- If you're having logging in it could be that a message from us with your log in link got caught in your email spam folder.
- If you're getting an "invalid URL" message from our system when you try to save a draft of your application or submit it, it's because you've entered something in a URL field that our system doesn't recognize as a URL. For example, "myfacebookpagename" will not work in the facebook field, you need to type in the whole URL, i.e. www.facebook.com/myfacebookpagename If you want, you can also just leave those fields blank as they're optional and don't play any role in how we score our applications.
- If you think you saved a draft but can't locate it, it most likely means that you didn't manage to save one. When you save a draft, you receive two confirmations, one that pops up on your screen and the other sent by email instantaneously.
- If you are starting an application from scratch, we recommend saving an empty draft before entering all your information into the online form. The only things our system requires for saving a draft is that you check all five of the boxes at the top of the application and that you fill out the "name of your project" field. Once you've done that, you can click "save a draft" and your application will be in our system and easy for you to find again for completing later.
I'll do my best to offer tech support
to any of you requiring it this week, but I recommend that you not leave your
questions to the last minute as I will have limited availability next weekend.
The best way to reach me is by email (roger@kgi.org)."
Thanks for your interest in our grants program,
Roger Doiron
KGI
Thanks for your interest in our grants program,
Roger Doiron
KGI
Announcements
and Upcoming Events
Mel’s book,
Square Foot Gardening with Kids, is now available. Don’t forget your copy – get
several for family and friends! Click here to learn more or pre-order
Our OFFICIAL ONLINE CERTIFICATION CLASSES to become a certified SFG Instructor Upcoming Dates are: January 7, 14 & 21 (3pm EST); Feb 5, 12 & 19 (7pm EST); March 6, 13 & 20 (12pm EST) Click here to register or learn more; Click here to sign up for a FREE trial
Live Radio show “Get fit with SFG” on www.ftns.co
Learn about how to get fit with Amie Guyette Hall on her web show, Fitness Radio! http://www.ftns.co Amie features SFG every Monday at 10:20am PST
The Lyceum of Monterey County, 1073 Sixth Street, Monterey, CA – December 5th through January 30th
Ages: Family / All Ages
Dates: 6 Thursdays - Dec 5, 12 & Jan 9, 16, 23, 30
Hours: 3:30pm - 5:00pm
Instructor: Lynn Hamilton
Fee: $60 (half off additional family members)
Learn more
FREE Square Foot Gardening Classes, Georgetown, Texas. An ongoing class held throughout the year, taught by certified instructors. Learn more
Orlando, Florida, Harry P. Leu Gardens, “Basics of Square Foot Gardening,” January 14, 2014, taught by Ed Thralls; Learn more
Picayune, Mississippi, SFG Classes February 22, 2014, from 10am-11:30am; taught by Brenda Myers, Certified SFG Instructor – Learn more
Minnesota – Pat and Connie Lahr, Certified SFG Instructors and Gardening World Wide Square Foot Gardening Community Education
Class Dates:
March 4, 2014 - St. Michael, Minn.
March 10, 2014 - Buffalo, Minn.
March 11, 2014 - Howard Lake, Minn.
March 13, 2014 - Monticello, Minn.
March 18, 2014 - Delano, Minn.
April 10, 2014 - St. Louis Park, Minn. 7 p.m.
Learn more
Zion Library, Illinois, Dunesland Garden Club, March 11, 2014, Square Foot Gardening class taught by Anne Marie Kowalski – Learn more
Western Nevada College, Carson City, Nancy & Ken Clarke, certified SFG Instructors offer Square Foot Gardening Classes, 4/12/2014 - 4/26/2014 Learn more
Western Nevada College, Fallon, Nancy Clarke instructor, Fee: $51.00
Our OFFICIAL ONLINE CERTIFICATION CLASSES to become a certified SFG Instructor Upcoming Dates are: January 7, 14 & 21 (3pm EST); Feb 5, 12 & 19 (7pm EST); March 6, 13 & 20 (12pm EST) Click here to register or learn more; Click here to sign up for a FREE trial
Live Radio show “Get fit with SFG” on www.ftns.co
Learn about how to get fit with Amie Guyette Hall on her web show, Fitness Radio! http://www.ftns.co Amie features SFG every Monday at 10:20am PST
The Lyceum of Monterey County, 1073 Sixth Street, Monterey, CA – December 5th through January 30th
Ages: Family / All Ages
Dates: 6 Thursdays - Dec 5, 12 & Jan 9, 16, 23, 30
Hours: 3:30pm - 5:00pm
Instructor: Lynn Hamilton
Fee: $60 (half off additional family members)
Learn more
FREE Square Foot Gardening Classes, Georgetown, Texas. An ongoing class held throughout the year, taught by certified instructors. Learn more
Orlando, Florida, Harry P. Leu Gardens, “Basics of Square Foot Gardening,” January 14, 2014, taught by Ed Thralls; Learn more
Picayune, Mississippi, SFG Classes February 22, 2014, from 10am-11:30am; taught by Brenda Myers, Certified SFG Instructor – Learn more
Minnesota – Pat and Connie Lahr, Certified SFG Instructors and Gardening World Wide Square Foot Gardening Community Education
Class Dates:
March 4, 2014 - St. Michael, Minn.
March 10, 2014 - Buffalo, Minn.
March 11, 2014 - Howard Lake, Minn.
March 13, 2014 - Monticello, Minn.
March 18, 2014 - Delano, Minn.
April 10, 2014 - St. Louis Park, Minn. 7 p.m.
Learn more
Zion Library, Illinois, Dunesland Garden Club, March 11, 2014, Square Foot Gardening class taught by Anne Marie Kowalski – Learn more
Western Nevada College, Carson City, Nancy & Ken Clarke, certified SFG Instructors offer Square Foot Gardening Classes, 4/12/2014 - 4/26/2014 Learn more
Western Nevada College, Fallon, Nancy Clarke instructor, Fee: $51.00
Dates:
4/12/2014 -
5/3/2014
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Days: Saturday Sessions:
4
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Times: 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM Learn more
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Frederik
Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park, 1000 East Beltline Ave NE, Grand Rapids
Charter Township, MI 49525, (616)
957-1580. Two classes:
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Square Foot Gardening
Part 1 2014
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Grow more food in less space with much less effort. Learn how
to create the perfect soil, build raised beds, and use the square foot
technique to achieve a bountiful harvest using organic methods. INSTRUCTOR:
Dr. Richard Peters
Tuesday, March 4 7-8:30pm Fee: $20 members, $27 non-members Applies toward MSU Extension Master Gardener education credit
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University
of Tennessee Gardens, Crossville -
Square Foot Gardening
Saturday, April 5, 2014
9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
What: Join Master Gardener Fred Mullen as he shares the techniques and tips to
successful Square Foot Gardening.
Where: UT Gardens-Crossville, 320 Experiment Station Road, Crossville, TN
Price: Free
To register: Call 931-484-0034 or email gwisdom@utk.edu
Denver Urban Homesteading, Denver, Colorado, March 8, Square Foot Gardening Classes by Regina Chilton- Parris Learn more
Ongoing GROUP classes for 2014 with discounted rates “Introduction to SFG” by Jim Teahan, Certified SFG instructor. Jim offers various groups-only packages featuring classes in Salt Lake City, UT, throughout the state of Utah, and one package is offered in Utah, southern Idaho, and southern California. Learn more
Square Foot Gardening
Saturday, April 5, 2014
9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
What: Join Master Gardener Fred Mullen as he shares the techniques and tips to
successful Square Foot Gardening.
Where: UT Gardens-Crossville, 320 Experiment Station Road, Crossville, TN
Price: Free
To register: Call 931-484-0034 or email gwisdom@utk.edu
Denver Urban Homesteading, Denver, Colorado, March 8, Square Foot Gardening Classes by Regina Chilton- Parris Learn more
Ongoing GROUP classes for 2014 with discounted rates “Introduction to SFG” by Jim Teahan, Certified SFG instructor. Jim offers various groups-only packages featuring classes in Salt Lake City, UT, throughout the state of Utah, and one package is offered in Utah, southern Idaho, and southern California. Learn more
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