Today at the garden

Today at the garden Shindo and Chris to of our Summer Youth Employees from SYEP, helped to add more succulants to the Vertical Succlant Pockets on our fence. [see the evolution of these pockets in photos]. I noticed that the peppermint has started to grow some roots out of the side of the potato sack, which leads me to believe that they are enjoying their new potato sack home. I'll keep you updated on the health of the plants in our pockets throughout the summer.

Last week we were able to complete the installation of the drip system on the entire south lot. Today, our youth employees and garden volunteers will likely finish the north lot. On Friday, we'll be adding about 6 more succulant pockets to the fence. When that section of fence is completed, we'll be adding more to other parts of the garden that are in need of a wind barrier.

The youth employees are keeping the garden open every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10-4pm. Feel free to stop by and visit the garden or join us for our next work day on Friday from 1-4pm.

Skill Share Update

This Monday at the skill share Christopher lead a group of 10 in talking about how the nutirition that humans and plants need intersect. This include information about how to have a healthy diet, soil and healthy plants. In true skill share fashion, members of the group shared what they knew about the subject too!

Beginning August 4th, we will be starting a peer led support group for individuals who are interested in addiction recovery that will meet each Wednesday at 1pm. In the fall we will be adding two additional peer led support groups for trauma care and vetrans.

Individuals who participate in 6 skill shares or support groups recieve a $10 gift card to Safeway. For more information about skill share rewards, check in with our new youth employees who will bive you a skill share reward card and will stamp your card each time you participate in a skill share.

Our summer skill share schedule is:

Mondays 12-1 Cooking and Nutrition

Mondays 2-2:30 Garden Skills

Wednesdays 1 Addiction Recovery Support

Fridays 2-3: Health Skills and Stress Reduction

More about the Laulima Organic Garden in Maui

Read this post to learn how we are bringing a bit of Maui to the Hayes Valley

Mural project planned.

This summer we are going to be working on a mural that will go on the grey shed located where we store our tools and have a little garden office. You can see the design above that we have planned. The design is modeled of of images of vintage fruit crates. Each individual diagonal panel will be a space where people can put a design or words of their choice. Together the mural and all the designs will come together in the same way that we hope to connect people who live on the streets or in stable or marginal housing. The design is also simple enough that people of any artistic level, or age group, can be a part of the painting. Let us know if you are interested in helping with the mural. Soon we'll be posting a work date where we can complete enough of the mural that it can be finished by our regular volunteers. Above is a picture of Ilyse, the garden member who designed the mural at the Hayes Valley Neighborhood Association Meeting where we presented the garden mural design to rave reviews.

Special Thanks - Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence

A special thank you goes out to the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence for their $300 grant to help the Growing Home Community Garden acquire a bicycle powered smoothie machine. The funds came from the Sisters Pink Saturday Pride event.

You can learn more about our bicycle powered smoothie project in the post: Bringing Maui to Hayes Valley. We have now raised 60% of our goal, with $200 left to raise. Click here if you'd like to help us reach our goal.

Mental Health 101: Anxiety

Our Seeding Resillience program has begun and we are working to provide more awareness about mental health and to learn skills to become more fully functioning. Each Friday from 2-3 we offer a skill share for folk to learn about health skills and stress reduction. While you may be aware that stress is something that many people in cities deal with, regardless of employment status, you might not know much about anxiety.

Severe and generalized anxiety affects 5-20% of individuals in the United States, and is classified 13 different ways by mental health professionals ranging from Post Traumatic Stress Dissorder (PTSD) to phobias to panic attacks.


Common symptoms include: worry, restlessness, difficulty concentrating, irritability, sleep problems, feeling "keyed up" or "on edge," or becoming easily fatigued. Physical symptoms can also include muscle tension.

Providing skill shares where people can talk about how they respond to anxiety, worry and fear is one way that people with stable housing can find commonalities with others who are marginally housed or homeless. While not everyone knows what it feels like to have severe or chronic mental health issues, or to have to struggle each day to acquire the basics, everyone at some time or another has felt afraid or worried.

We're hoping that by creating a safe space for people to talk about how they respond to their fears and worries and work on self care and harm reduction will help people become healthier and better connected to their community.

In addition to the Friday Health and Stress Reduction skill share (from 2-3pm) we are also working on creating a book club, PTSD care opportunities, art therapy skill shares and peer lead support groups talking about addiction recovery and vetrans issues.

If you're interested in becoming more involved, leading a group or just want to learn more, email megan.rohrer@sfdph.org.

For those who are out of town or who want to learn more skills right now, check out these skills and techniques for whole body (physical, mental, emotional, spiritual) self care for ideas about how to reduce stress and anxiety. And like all things that are suggestions on health issues, check with your doctor and give more weight to the methods that are a better fit with your life, body and ability.

Play Golf for the Homeless

Learn more about this event here.

garlic spray recipe

I noticed today at the garden that our succulants have a acquired some tiny black bugs. After doing some research about some organic solutions for protecting the plants I discovered this recipe for garlic/pepper spray that we'll use to try to take care of the bug problem. We'll report back to let you know if it works. But for those who are interested, here is the recipe:

1: liquify 2 garlic bulbs and 2 hot peppers in a blender 1/2 to 2/3rds full of water. Strain the solids and add enough water to the garlic/pepper joice to make one gallen on concentrate. Use 1/4th cup of the concentrate per gallon of spray. Don't forget this step or you can burn/kill your plants!

2: For added strength, add 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil or horticultural oil to each gallon of water in the sprayer.

To make garlic spray: simply omit the pepper and add another bulb of galic. Garlic/pepper spray can be used to control insects. Garlic spray by itself is a good fungicide.

From Maui to Hayes Valley

The road to Hana in Maui is famously beautiful, it's known for its winding roads, waterfalls and fantastic views. Last Saturday, I drove for three hours on the road to Hana in order to get a smoothie at the Laulima Organic Garden. Owned by the same family that owns the Cafe Gratitude resturants in San Francisco, this 13 acre farm has an apprentice program and a farm stand that sells produce and food to locals, but it's most remembered for its bicycle powered smoothies.

This farm is the location that inspired me to become involved in San Francisco's urban farming movement. The farm is such a beautiful, educational and delicious space that it helped me to realize the way that gardens can provide substantial mind, body and spirit care for the homeless in addition to helping to fill hungry bellies.

So, when I learned that the Growing Home Community Garden was dedicated to Eric Bayer who was known for feeding smoothies to the homeless, I remembered the Laulima. Now, were working on getting a bicycle powered smoothie machine to GHCG where folk can pedal their way to a healthy drink.

Stay tuned to hear about our progress. If you'd like to support our bicycle powered smoothie project, please click on the donate link above. Your gift will enable us to bring a little bit of Maui to Hayes Valley!

To get you excited, here are a few more photos of the Laulima farm:

Volunteer Waiver

All garden volunteers are required to sign a waiver. Individuals who are under the age of 18 should have their parents or guardians sign the waiver and turn it into the garden staff (located at the shed) prior to working in or at the garden.

Download, print or view our waiver:
Waiver - (pdf)

Introducing Megan Rohrer

Email: megan.rohrer@sfdph.org
Office Phone: 415-503-2196
Cell: 415-827-2587
Fax: 415-503-2099

Megan Rohrer serves as the Program Manager for the Growing Home Community Garden (GHCG). With more than nine years experience in community organizing and working with the homeless in San Francisco, Megan is formally trained as a pastor.

A candidate for the Doctorate of Ministry degree at the Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, Megan's dissertation project studies methods of organizing individuals living in poverty in San Francisco's Tenderloin district.

As the Executive Director of Welcome, a communal response to poverty, Megan's Urban Share Community Gardening Project created 6 community gardens across the Bay Area, including the well known Free Farm. Megan also regularly goes on retreat to live on the streets and utilize the services for homeless and hungry individuals in the Tenderloin.

Megan also has special training in the areas of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) care called Somatic Experiencing through the Foundation for Human Enrichment and in Reiki through Care Through Touch.

Notes on the Legal Issues of Urban Agriculture

- Notes from the 7/12/2010 meeting hosted by the Sustainable Economies Law Center (SELC)

Please remember that these are merely notes from a meeting, they should not be considered legal advice!

Helpful link for individuals interested in urban agriculture in San Francisco:
SF Agriculture Zoning and Licensing Information

Zoning Laws:

• zoning laws were created to protect people from waste and commercial dumping
• current zoning is based on the assumption that people drive cars, and could be revised to encourage more public transportation
• zoning codes are a part of the municipal code, which also include health, election and other info
• zoning codes are divided into residential, commercial, industrial and mixed use spaces
• cities are required to have general plans with describe both the current and future situations
• zoning code is on the city planning websites and general planning. There you can search for information about urban agriculture and animals.

Some Zoning Changes that Can be Useful for Urban Agriculture:

1. Cities: helping to facilitate and convert concrete spaces into urban agriculture
2. Private Agreements: a) encouraging the creation of backyard and front yard gardens (your own or someone elses); b) correcting zoning issues to enable individuals to sell food grown in their own yards (similar to changes that enable the creation of home daycare facilities)
3. Private Covenants and Neighborhood Associations: There are three types: a) 2 or more landowner who restrict language us in a deed; b) people in a neighborhood that is considered a neighborhood or homeowners association; c) leasing restrictions on property use. In these cases, association agreements can be amended. The burden is on the person who has a complaint about property use to prove that the use of the land is restricted. Most leases have a clause that prohibit selling. However, many leasers are amenable to urban agriculture when it can be shown that a group of tenants are in favor of it; the gardeners assume liability risks; and issues like how to pay for the water separately is taken care of. (again, this can be handled similar to in home childcare)

Rooftop & Wall Gardens:

• zoning and green roofs typically are not thought of as edible spaces. Seattle has a great model for zoning laws that address this issue.
• there are height regulations to think about (particularly for rooftop gardens)
• make sure to have the structure of the building checked by an engineer. There is very little cost difference in adding rooftop gardens to the design of a building that is in construction, but trying to add them after the building has been constructed can sometimes cost more than three times the cost of the building.
• Roof access is very important. For frequent use of the roof you cannot rely on a ladder and need to have either stairs or elevator access.
• building regulations, insurance and fire codes are also important to think about

Animals

• most dense areas have animal limits and placement rules
• the rules are typically overly restrictive because they were written in a time when there was less sanitation
• to find out the codes for your city, check out the online city codes and search for animal restrictions.
• you should also check with your neighbors, because even if there are not restrictions in your area neighbors can file a nuisance complaint which could jeopardize the ability to have animals

Testing

• there are currently no regulations that require testing (accept for on city property) this is because there no standards for soil tests - other than lead levels
• however, it is a good practice to always get the soil tested before planting. This is easily done through universities.

Employment Laws

• This is a big issue, particularly because of the current economy and the emphasis on fining urban agricultural sites for their violation of labor standards.
• you cannot be a volunteer on a commercial farm.
• you cannot replace paid labor with interns.
• independent contractor relationships, if they go to a judge will look beyond the contract to the nature of the relationship.
• labor laws are a little outdated as they related to urban agriculture
• Washington state just changed their laws to allow volunteers in commercial urban agriculture sites, similar law changes are needed in California, because this enables people to learn skills and just do something they love by getting involved in gardens.

Volunteers

• There are both federal and state laws to follow.
• In California, state laws are more restrictive than federal laws
• volunteers cannot be used for commercial interests
• it is the intent of the volunteer (rather than the employer) that is the most important in the agreement.
• if someone becomes dependent upon the food that is given in exchange - they are not actually a volunteer because they are considered to have an economic relationship with the group.
• it may be possible for people to get shares of the food if they are considered part owners or buying shares

Interns

• interns are supposed to be a burden on the site that is hosting them
• you have to be able to prove that they are not simply replacing an employee
• they have to be gaining a skill
• work study does not make it ok for an intern to do work that is considered employment
• interns should not be creating an economic gain for the commercial or non-profit site

Independent Contractor

• there is a right of control test. ie you would not tell a plumber who comes to your house how to fix something. So, an independent contractor should be someone who provides a service, but you do not control their work. Hear the courts will look beyond language to the real relationship.

Legal Use of Food:

• Consume it yourself. It is only when you are giving or selling food to others that this becomes and issue.
• If you donate the food to charity, you are exempt from the liability laws involve food distribution.
• If you pay volunteers in food, this is an issue. (see above)
• even if it is not long term project, you may still need a temporary food event license to even have food sampling
• Selling food - there are lots of food health codes and requirements including: the calibrating of scales, food handling and sellers licenses, food permits, inspections,
• food preparation requires permits (ie cooking the produce into something else - such as tomatoes to tomato sauce) additonal cooking permits are needed for events
• farm stands are very legally defined - public health laws and policy should be checked locally
• farmers market information can be found here, and farmers market concessionare info can be found here

Insurance and Liability

• this type of insurance can be expensive
• selling food is not a task that can be done by volunteers
• there are tax exemption issues with selling food, you need to show that selling food is a part of the core mission of your work and is not a commercial operation (ie you can't act like a business and be considered a non-profit)
• non-profits may want to create a for-profit subsidiary that sells food
• asking for donations could be a way of getting around this and being less commercial looking
• there is additional liability insurance needed if the food is being transported off the site from where it was grown
• selling for the purpose of teaching employment skills can be argued as something that does not violate non-profit status, but you have to have proper scale of your operation so that amount is reasonable and not overly commercial

Liability Insurance Policies

• liability companies will want to know what you are growing
• group should have volunteer accident and death policies in addition to their general liability
• there are special farm plans
• if you get an outrageous quote and are not using farm equipment, you can ask for an appeal and have an appraiser visit your site to get a rate adjustment

Policy Issues

• Berkeley and Oakland have food policy councils. Oakland has collaboratives to be a part of HOPE to create strategies for Oakland
• Statewide - The California food and justice coalition is developing local policies working on grassroots action
• National - REAL (respect, eat, act live) is working on the food movement, systemwide food reform and hope to create a national dialogue

Model Policies

• See http://www.healthyplanning.org/
• Kansas City just approved urban agriculture in residential districts and selling from your home garden
• Some cities have open space districts, everything sold has to be grown on the garden
• Some cities have urban agriculture districts which overlay on top of other districts
• The SF Planning Dept is working on updating zoning code and the general plan to encourage urban agriculture. There is currently an executive directive from the mayor (but zoning code rules still overide this). A draft is expected in July with a timeline for September implementation.
• The San Francisco Urban Agriculture Alliance is looking at policy issues in San Francisco including the use of public land and what could be used for urban agriculture.

Other Laws and Information

• The Williamson Act was created to allow urban spaces to decrease taxes as much as 75% for individuals who allowed their vacant lots to be used for agriculture. California set aside a fund to replace the taxes lost by the county, but this fund is now broke and counties will like seek to end this law.
• It is likely that if immigration law passes that there could be a path to citizenship created for people who work for a certain amount of time in agricultural jobs. This could create possibilities for the urban agriculture community to work with other justice groups and create more green jobs.

Today at the garden: harvest & drip

Today at the garden I took pictures of some of the produce that is growing to give you a view of someone of the beautiful plants that are now in bloom. If you see plants here that you cannot identify, then you should join us for our weekly garden skill share, Mondays from 2-2:30 where we learn about plants, how to take care of them and when to harvest them.

Next Monday, the 19th at noon, for our cooking & nutrition skill share we will be harvesting garlic from the garden and learning different ways to use garlic in cooking.

Until then, check out the plants and people from our garden below.
Potatoes from our potato tower.

Yonat helps to clear away the ivy. Ivy is very invasive and will try to take over other plants. If we don't stay on top of removing it regularly, it will take over!

Vai works on installing drip lines.

Seeding Resilience Project Begins!

Seeding Resilience is the Growing Home Community Garden's (GHCG) new project to increase access to mental health services and increase employment opportunities and skills. A two year innovation project with major support provided by the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA), the Seeding Resilience project is 75% focused on the GHCG (Octavia & Lily) and 25% on Urban Agricultural leaders in San Francisco to build a citywide network of support for mental health consumers.

Outcomes of the project include:

• 3 weekly skill share opportunities for individuals to learn about: 1) cooking & nutrition; 2) garden skills; and 3) health skills and stress reduction
• 4 educational opportunities for urban agriculture leaders to increase their awareness, create collaboration opportunities and employment opportunities for mental health consumers
• regular support groups, workshops and events on topics recommended by garden members and skill share participants
• information about the learnings of the project that will be made available so that the successful parts of the project can be reproduced in other locations

Stay tuned for more information about the project and to learn how you can get involved.

evolution of the succulant pocket vertical fence garden

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Today's Planting, Harvest and Supper - July 5, 2010

Today we continued our vertical succulent pocket project. We added three more potato sacks to the fence and then spent 4 hours filling the outside of the sacks with two garbage bags full of succulents. It's amazing how many succulent clippings it takes to make a vertical garden. But, all the work was worth it because throughout the whole day passers by stopped walking as they saw them and said "ohhh," "ahhh," "wow," "love the garden" and "thanks for what you're doing in our neighborhood!" See Day One of This Project


While 4 of us worked on the succulent pockets, other volunteers planted some more radishes, bush beans and more broccoli. And as we do each workday, garden members and visitors were able to enjoy the garden harvest.
When I left at the end of the day, there were 4 pounds of produce left that I got to take home and enjoy, including: broccoli, carrots, fava beans and radishes.
After turning it into stir-fry and adding some brown rice, my partner and I shared a lovely meal - and there is enough for lunch tomorrow.

More Vertical Gardening on the Fence

Last Friday, we put potato sacks from the local food pantries on the fence to create some more vertical garden pockets. Our hope is that these pockets will block the wind from blowing in our shed. We will be making more of these garden pockets today (Monday, July 5th from 1-4pm). Come join us if you are able.
The succulents for these and our other vertical garden pockets came from a neighbor who lives two block from the garden and needed to trim back his roof garden.