Continuing to Branch Out over Familiar Ground

 At TE, expanding the areas of service we provide just naturally follows from our areas of expertise and interests. For years, Linda has been heavily involved with Food.  In addition to the various school garden projects described here earlier, she’s been on the Planning Committee for the Montgomery County Food Summit that is now in its 4^th year.

Held on November 7^th, this all day event brought together food producers, consumers, gardener and local officials from government such as the health department.  This year’s theme was “Connecting Producers to Consumers ~ From our farms...to our tables”.  Two hundred attendees heard from twenty local presenters, representing all aspects of food production and distribution, on everything from CSA’s to Food Hub models to offering services like EBT and SNAP at Farmers’ Markets. 

We were also treated to a very entertaining and insightful talk by Don Carmody with the Detroit Eastern Market.  Comm. Judy Dodge’s office has spearheaded this event with the goal of increasing the Locally Grown Foods marketplace and growing that economy.  I have been so fortunate to be involved with this up and coming group and this year I was tapped to be the photographer! Check out the great photos!

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/fxvzx8j6e52papa/AABJhYT5-D22ms5Y9RtZv3c3a?dl=0

The other area of growth is school and community gardens.  Think of this TE service area as us working both inside and outside the school building to enhance the learning of everyone – students, teachers and administrators, parents and members of the community.  Greening doesn’t stop at the door and sustainability isn’t just about energy efficiency.  The integrated nature of gardening touches on everything from plant life cycles, why we need to compost food waste (and waste less food!), the living nature of soil, water use, biodiversity and the list just goes on and on.

.

Of course I already have a tremendous amount of knowledge about plants, food and gardening but one can always learn more.  The day after the Food Summit, I attended a School Garden workshop presented by Five Rivers Metro Parks.  What a great group of like-minded teacher participants.  Much to learn, much to do, much to bring to our customers, too!

As winter commences, Linda continues to be connected to the Partners for the Environment’s Food Team, the Montgomery County Food Summit group and the Visioning Team for the future Miami Valley Food Hub.  At TE, we just keep on growing – from improving and greening inside facilities to growing and greening outside the buildings too – imagine gardens growing organic food right on hospital or church grounds, business and college campuses and utilizing retail open spaces as garden sites instead of turf to be mowed and sprayed.  Green has many shades and hues, and so many ways to Grow – Grow Green!