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MAY 2011 ISSUE: FOCUS ON URBAN AGRICULTURE

Second Annual Kansas City Convoy of Hope

June 11, 2011
10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Swope Park

Develop the skills and abilities needed to become a successful leader in your community. Sign up for our free Community Leadership Program.

Weatherization Program

Weatherization saves energy and keep your home more comfortable year round. Find out if you qualify for free weatherization.

MARC's First Suburbs Coalition offers a low-interest home remodeling loan program to homeowners in Kansas City, Mo., and surrounding communities, including the Green Impact Zone. Learn more>

"The vision and strategies of the Green Impact Zone represent the distinct possibility for viable improvement. Working with and through the residents toward greater capacity to deal with the issues of their neighborhoods is the inspiration that fans the flames of hope, the true engine for a better tomorrow."

Anita L. Maltbia, Director

Visit our website for more thoughts from the Green Impact Zone staff.

Enjoy the benefits of community gardening

Flowers, bushes, vegetables — the choices are nearly limitless. Are you ready for the spring growing season? Gardening with your neighbors can be a great way to meet new people. Being outdoors and getting involved in your community can also help reduce crime. If you would like to meet your neighbors at local gardening spots, the Green Impact Zone® has you covered — they don’t call us Green for nothing!

There are several great spots in our community to give your green thumb a good workout and get a little dirt under your fingernails! Get your children involved, too – they will enjoy helping you out, and your whole family will love eating food you grew yourself. It’ll be fresher than anything at the grocery store. More>

Why should you get involved in urban agriculture?

Did you know the average American eats only one to two servings of vegetables per day — about five times below the recommended amount? The unique phytochemicals in veggies help promote good health.

• More servings, more benefits

Eating fresh fruits and vegetables every day is one of the most important things you can do for your health. Research continues to show that many essential nutrients in fresh produce may protect you from cancer, high blood pressure, heart disease and Type 2 diabetes.

• Growing inspires healthy eating

Gardening not only provides you with fresh fruits and vegetables, it also encourages you to eat them. Once you are blessed with a bushel basket of tomatoes, you will have a newfound interest in finding recipes for tomatoes. What's more, picking fresh produce from your garden is a great way to get children to eat fruits and vegetables. It IS fun for them to pick their own lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers — and then eat them.

If you don’t want to grow your own fruits and vegetables, you can still eat healthier and save money by shopping at local farmers’ markets. When food is shipped across the country, the high cost of fuel is passed on to you in higher food prices. Locally grown food doesn’t have to be shipped long distances, saving you money. Using less gas also improves our air quality.

• Build stronger communities

Many of our communities are plagued with vacant lots and unproductive land. Encouraging gardens can beautify our communities, and having vegetable and fruit gardens can provide residents with healthy food at low costs. Gardening with your neighbors helps build relationships, and by being outdoors and active in your community you can help discourage criminal behavior. Excess food from community gardens can be given away to residents and local charities. More>

Start your own container garden

What you'll need: a container at least 6" deep; seeds; planting soil; sunlight; water; and a little time and patience.

Decide what to plant. Pick fruits and vegetables your family likes to eat so you can save money on groceries.
Pick a container. Find a size that is wide enough to fit all the plants you want to grow, and remember to allow space for roots and sunlight.
Soil is important. You can use regular dirt, but you may not get the best results. Look for good deals on potting soil mixes at discount and closeout stores.
Sun, Sun, Sun. Place your container where it will get at least eight hours of sun a day.
Water. Water in the morning when it's coolest. It's better to water heavily less frequently so that the dirt is fully moistened inside the container.
Have Fun. You'll make mistakes, you'll lose some plants, but you'll be growing great food and saving money while you're at it. Involve your children and make it a family event. More>

More gardening resources

For more information about urban agriculture, contact your local university extension center, community gardening agencies or other Green Impact Zone partners. More>