Thanks Lydia!

The Morven Summer Institute is an intensive and unique four-week (May 16 - June 9, 2011) experience held on the grounds of UVa's historic Morven Farm. Designed for undergraduates with interests in sustainability, design, food systems, and ecology, this interdisciplinary program features courses in Architecture, Interdisciplinary Food Studies, and a one-credit seminar co-taught by a multidisciplinary team of faculty from across the University. Students will arrive at Morven in the morning (transportation is provided) and return to Grounds in the early afternoon. Like Study Abroad, but in Charlottesville, students will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in a distinctive learning environment for a novel environmental education. Alongside coursework, the Morven Kitchen Garden will be both a highlight and focus of the student experience at the Morven Summer Institute."

The Charlottesville Open Garden Project's mission is to connect local gardeners, in order to share resources, experience, knowledge, and passion. We conduct monthly tours of productive gardens in neighborhoods around Charlottesville. On our email list-serv, we ask questions of each other, offer shared resources, relate tales of garden trials and successes, and more.

The property dates back to the late 1800s and has a rich historical evolution from a private home, to a ministry to one of the first private schools in the area born out of the desegregation movement. The magnificent eight acre stone-walled, terraced garden now surrounds what has become the Monticello Area Community Action Agency, known as MACAA, which houses outreach programs such as Headstart, Hope House, CARES and Project Discovery High School.

What’s On Your Plate: A Public Forum on Local Food and the Media next Thursday

The UVa Food Collaborative presents “What’s On Your Plate: A Public Forum on Local Food and the Media”, on Thursday, October 7th, from 4 to 6pm at the new LEED-certified Jefferson Scholars Foundation building at 112 Clarke Court, Charlottesville, VA

There's always a time and place for gardening...and a garden.

The Charlottesville Open Garden Project is pleased to announce the first ever Community Garden Bike Tour of Charlottesville!
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Sunday, October 3, 2010, 1 pm - 6pm
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Registration begins promptly at the Bridge Progressive Arts Initiative, 209 Monticello Road (across from Spudnuts), Belmont
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Featured Gardens:
UVA Community Garden
Hereford College Mini-Farm
Buford Schoolyard Garden Project
PATCH Garden (a project of the Haven)
QCC Farms! Garden of Goodness
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General Admission: $10 | Students: $5 | 16 and under ride for free!
Proceeds benefit the Buford garden, PATCH, and QCC Farms!

This applesauce gets complex flavor from cinnamon, sage, and maple syrup. Leaving the apple skins on before cooking results in a delightful pink hue.

Click here for the recipe search.

Finally...something useful to do with newspapers besides recycling...

USDA Announces Funding to Expand School Community Gardens and Garden-Based Learning Opportunities  

WASHINGTON, Aug. 25, 2010 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that USDA will establish a People's Garden School Pilot Program to develop and run community gardens at eligible high-poverty schools; teach students involved in the gardens about agriculture production practices, diet, and nutrition; and evaluate the learning outcomes. This $1 million pilot program is authorized under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act. A cooperative agreement will be awarded to implement a program in up to five States. To be eligible as project sites, schools must have 50 percent or more students qualifying for free or reduced-price school meals.

It's not too late for fall planting!