member meeting thursday, april 13
11:30 am, ann arbor city club
”Harvesting the Local Foodshed: Four Seasons of Delicious Eating”
with Richard Andres of Tantré Farm
Richard Andres will discuss how to grow a garden for year-round cooking of what you like to eat. Learn what plants can be harvested in the fall with a late summer planting, how to save seeds, what should be planted before winter, how to extend the growing season, and what to do to get your garden ready for the spring. We'll explore creating a dietary palate for all seasons through a local garden harvest, by discussing seasonal planting of cool season produce, warm season produce, and winter vegetable storage with root cellars and cool storage. Growing a garden for what you like to eat means delicious and nutritious salads, soups, stir-fries, fermented vegetables, smoothies, etc. leading to good medicine, good health, and good community.
Richard Andres had an early interest in farming, since he worked as a teenager picking corn and melons for a local farmer. Then he worked as a skilled timber frame carpenter for fifteen years before he bought Tantré Farm in Chelsea in 1993. Since then, he has become a full-time farmer with his wife, Deb, who grew up on a small family farm in Minnesota and taught elementary education for 16 years. Together they produce thousands of pounds of ecologically grown produce for their 350-member CSA, several restaurants, local stores, buying clubs, and two farmers markets. Eleven years ago, they became the owners of the Washtenaw Food Hub, which includes two rentable commercial kitchens, a farm market, and an agricultural educational event space in Ann Arbor. Two years ago they started Honeybee U-pick, an organic strawberry and raspberry u-pick farm in Ann Arbor with an annual Nut Festival in October. Richard and Deb are interested in continuing to enhance a local food culture, where food can be grown, distributed, and used for the purpose of authentic participation and enjoyment to promote a year-round, closed loop of agriculture, community, and culture.
Members, please register here for lunch ($18) and the program, or program only, by April 5. Doors open at 11:30 am; lunch is at noon; the presentation begins at 1 pm.
Non-AAF&G members are welcome for a $5 admission fee. All funds support Ann Arbor Farm & Garden’s annual garden-related grant and scholarship awards. Doors open at 12:30 pm. Please register by April 5th.
A virtual option will be available. All registered participants as of April 5th will receive an email with the Zoom link prior to the program.
with Richard Andres of Tantré Farm
Richard Andres will discuss how to grow a garden for year-round cooking of what you like to eat. Learn what plants can be harvested in the fall with a late summer planting, how to save seeds, what should be planted before winter, how to extend the growing season, and what to do to get your garden ready for the spring. We'll explore creating a dietary palate for all seasons through a local garden harvest, by discussing seasonal planting of cool season produce, warm season produce, and winter vegetable storage with root cellars and cool storage. Growing a garden for what you like to eat means delicious and nutritious salads, soups, stir-fries, fermented vegetables, smoothies, etc. leading to good medicine, good health, and good community.
Richard Andres had an early interest in farming, since he worked as a teenager picking corn and melons for a local farmer. Then he worked as a skilled timber frame carpenter for fifteen years before he bought Tantré Farm in Chelsea in 1993. Since then, he has become a full-time farmer with his wife, Deb, who grew up on a small family farm in Minnesota and taught elementary education for 16 years. Together they produce thousands of pounds of ecologically grown produce for their 350-member CSA, several restaurants, local stores, buying clubs, and two farmers markets. Eleven years ago, they became the owners of the Washtenaw Food Hub, which includes two rentable commercial kitchens, a farm market, and an agricultural educational event space in Ann Arbor. Two years ago they started Honeybee U-pick, an organic strawberry and raspberry u-pick farm in Ann Arbor with an annual Nut Festival in October. Richard and Deb are interested in continuing to enhance a local food culture, where food can be grown, distributed, and used for the purpose of authentic participation and enjoyment to promote a year-round, closed loop of agriculture, community, and culture.
Members, please register here for lunch ($18) and the program, or program only, by April 5. Doors open at 11:30 am; lunch is at noon; the presentation begins at 1 pm.
Non-AAF&G members are welcome for a $5 admission fee. All funds support Ann Arbor Farm & Garden’s annual garden-related grant and scholarship awards. Doors open at 12:30 pm. Please register by April 5th.
A virtual option will be available. All registered participants as of April 5th will receive an email with the Zoom link prior to the program.
Help us grow plants for the June 10 Garden Walk(tm)
If you have a good set-up for growing seedlings and can spare some space, please contact Audrey DeMarois! A plant donation table at the Garden Walk will feature the results, along with perennial splits from member gardens (more on that below).
If you have a good set-up for growing seedlings and can spare some space, please contact Audrey DeMarois! A plant donation table at the Garden Walk will feature the results, along with perennial splits from member gardens (more on that below).
member news
Volunteer now for our 30th annual Garden Walk! Visit Garden Walk Central page
June 10, 2023 will be our first traditional Garden Walk in three years! Planning is well underway, and volunteers are needed both before the event and on Garden Walk day. Visit the Garden Walk Central page in the Member Area for open tasks, map, garden descriptions, and a link to the SignUp Genius volunteer registration form.
Members with gardens, we're asking for plant splits from your Spring cleanup for a plant donation table -- more info in Garden Walk Central!
Nominees sought for open 2023-24 Board positions
In preparation for our May officer election, the Nominating Committee (Carol Polverini, Jean Kluge, Martha Lowry) are making calls to all members for Board positions. Open roles this year are Vice President, Treasurer(s), Programs Chair(s), and Recording Secretary, as well as “apprentice” positions. Visit the Member Area for a full overview. Contact Carol Polverini to learn more.
The Nominating Committee has developed ways that you can be more involved without “breaking the bank” of your time and resources. For newer members who may still be working or have child/elder care responsibilities, we are looking for ways to be more flexible with meeting times both for the Board and member meetings, so don’t let that be a barrier.
Serving on the Board is one of the best ways to understand our organization and get to know each other. The Board works hard, has fun, supports each other in myriad ways, and shares a deep dedication to the mission and the members of Ann Arbor Farm & Garden. Everyone has a skill or talent to contribute, and you’ll find solid support and guidance from fellow Board members. What are you waiting for?!?
By-laws revision recommendations coming for member vote in May
In April, members will receive a document recommending changes to our By-laws. If you have questions after reviewing the changes, please contact Judy Parsons, Parliamentarian. We will vote on the changes at the May 11 annual meeting.
Adopt-a-Park civic project moving forward
As first reported in the January newsletter, we are in the process of working with the City of Ann Arbor to participate in its Adopt-a-Park program. Waterworks Park is a small park between Huron and Liberty streets, with entrances off Seventh and Eighth streets. This project offers several volunteering roles, from hands-on gardening to neighborhood outreach to historical research. Cindy Fink is leading the project, and welcomes your interest. Contact her if you want to know more.
Help spread the word about AAF&G at community events
Getting out in the community to promote AAF&G and our good work is a primary goal for the Marketing Committee, and several opportunities have been identified and scheduled this year. We will have informational (no sales) tables at the Farmer’s Market in Kerrytown on May 20, July 22, and September 9; and at the Native Plant Expo on June 3.
Take a shift (they’re short) and start the conversation! It’s energizing to talk about our mission and important to gain insight and feedback from the public. If you’d like to help, or have suggestions for other relevant local events to explore, please contact Karen Mikus or Martha Lowry, Marketing Committee co-chairs.
New and enhanced Farm & Garden member experience coming soon
Big changes are underway behind the F&G scenes! The Board has approved using an online club membership platform to streamline and manage our operations. All areas – finance, membership, committees, event registration/ticketing, and more – will be administered from this platform.
A fresh new website, revamped and loaded with information, is just the start. With your individual member login, you’ll have access to a photo albums section, discussion forums, document library, and more. An interactive event calendar will tie directly to registration for meetings and events. Annual dues notices and payments will be managed within the system, and you’ll be able to track all of your financial transactions through your member account.
There are many more reasons you’ll enjoy this new experience. Come to the April 13 meeting for a closer look at what’s in store. The system is expected to go ‘live’ in late April, in time to take Garden Walk ticket orders. A full introduction to the system is slated for the May 11 annual meeting.
June 10, 2023 will be our first traditional Garden Walk in three years! Planning is well underway, and volunteers are needed both before the event and on Garden Walk day. Visit the Garden Walk Central page in the Member Area for open tasks, map, garden descriptions, and a link to the SignUp Genius volunteer registration form.
Members with gardens, we're asking for plant splits from your Spring cleanup for a plant donation table -- more info in Garden Walk Central!
Nominees sought for open 2023-24 Board positions
In preparation for our May officer election, the Nominating Committee (Carol Polverini, Jean Kluge, Martha Lowry) are making calls to all members for Board positions. Open roles this year are Vice President, Treasurer(s), Programs Chair(s), and Recording Secretary, as well as “apprentice” positions. Visit the Member Area for a full overview. Contact Carol Polverini to learn more.
The Nominating Committee has developed ways that you can be more involved without “breaking the bank” of your time and resources. For newer members who may still be working or have child/elder care responsibilities, we are looking for ways to be more flexible with meeting times both for the Board and member meetings, so don’t let that be a barrier.
Serving on the Board is one of the best ways to understand our organization and get to know each other. The Board works hard, has fun, supports each other in myriad ways, and shares a deep dedication to the mission and the members of Ann Arbor Farm & Garden. Everyone has a skill or talent to contribute, and you’ll find solid support and guidance from fellow Board members. What are you waiting for?!?
By-laws revision recommendations coming for member vote in May
In April, members will receive a document recommending changes to our By-laws. If you have questions after reviewing the changes, please contact Judy Parsons, Parliamentarian. We will vote on the changes at the May 11 annual meeting.
Adopt-a-Park civic project moving forward
As first reported in the January newsletter, we are in the process of working with the City of Ann Arbor to participate in its Adopt-a-Park program. Waterworks Park is a small park between Huron and Liberty streets, with entrances off Seventh and Eighth streets. This project offers several volunteering roles, from hands-on gardening to neighborhood outreach to historical research. Cindy Fink is leading the project, and welcomes your interest. Contact her if you want to know more.
Help spread the word about AAF&G at community events
Getting out in the community to promote AAF&G and our good work is a primary goal for the Marketing Committee, and several opportunities have been identified and scheduled this year. We will have informational (no sales) tables at the Farmer’s Market in Kerrytown on May 20, July 22, and September 9; and at the Native Plant Expo on June 3.
Take a shift (they’re short) and start the conversation! It’s energizing to talk about our mission and important to gain insight and feedback from the public. If you’d like to help, or have suggestions for other relevant local events to explore, please contact Karen Mikus or Martha Lowry, Marketing Committee co-chairs.
New and enhanced Farm & Garden member experience coming soon
Big changes are underway behind the F&G scenes! The Board has approved using an online club membership platform to streamline and manage our operations. All areas – finance, membership, committees, event registration/ticketing, and more – will be administered from this platform.
A fresh new website, revamped and loaded with information, is just the start. With your individual member login, you’ll have access to a photo albums section, discussion forums, document library, and more. An interactive event calendar will tie directly to registration for meetings and events. Annual dues notices and payments will be managed within the system, and you’ll be able to track all of your financial transactions through your member account.
There are many more reasons you’ll enjoy this new experience. Come to the April 13 meeting for a closer look at what’s in store. The system is expected to go ‘live’ in late April, in time to take Garden Walk ticket orders. A full introduction to the system is slated for the May 11 annual meeting.
what's happening in aafg & around town
Delicious Eating” -- Richard Andres, Tantre Farms
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The Great Lakes Chapter of the North American Rock Garden Society is arranging a bus trip to Benedict’s Nursery in Nappanee, Indiana on Saturday May 13, 2023. Cost is $40/seat ($20 bus ride and $20 annual membership to GLC). Sign-up required by March 30, 2023. Contact GLCTreas@umich.edu for more info or call 734-717-3279. |
The mission of Ann Arbor Farm & Garden is to promote and support local gardens, the benefits of horticulture, and community beautification through grant and scholarship awards, related educational programs, and service opportunities.
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Ann Arbor Farm & Garden is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.
P.O. Box 354, Dexter, MI 48130
P.O. Box 354, Dexter, MI 48130