Join us in-person next Wed 4/9 at 6:30PM for Lightning Talks. RSVP - https://www.meetup.com/spacecoastsec/events/305158694 #buildingcommunity #spacecoast #infosec #cybersecurity
Northey Street City Farm in #BrisbaneAustralia
"We consider the vital connection to the elements of nature to be integral to learning and offer practical skills that can be utilised every day in your own garden space or working environment. Being based in the Magical #Bundjalung Country - the Northern Rivers 'Rainbow Region' of Northern #NewSouthWales, Australia, 'Growing Roots' offers a huge range of functional and cutting edge experimental #permaculture systems for students to explore. From the intensive, highly productive market gardens of ‘The Farm’ at Byron Bay through to Rural #FoodForests, #Agroforestry Systems, #BushTukka Gardens and the Great Wilderness of our Subtropical and Cool Temperate Rainforests, the teachings of nature - and humans creative dance within it - are vast and profound. We utilise the following 12 principles of Permaculture."
Learn more:
https://agroecologymap.org/l/northey-street-city-farm-in-brisbane
#AgroEcology #sustainability #regenerativeagriculture #FoodSecurity #Permakulture #AgroForestry #BushTucker #BuildingCommunity #SolarPunkSunday
#California: Need Help Fixing Your Broken Stuff? Volunteers at the #HumboldtCounty #RepairCafé in #ArcataCA Will (Most Likely) Fix It for Free!
by Isabella Vanderheiden / Wednesday, March 26
"You know that broken lamp that’s been sitting in the corner of your garage for the last decade? You know, the one with the busted pull chain and persnickety cord your college roommate gave you? Yeah, that one. Do you think it might be time to get that thing fixed?
"What if I told you there is a place you can go to have your lamps rewired, your vintage denim mended, your bicycle tires patched, your weed wackers restrung and your great-grandmother’s heirloom necklace soldered — all for free?
"Sounds too good to be true, right? Not so! On Sunday, April 6, volunteers and staff with Arcata’s Recreation Division will host the first Humboldt Repair Café, a free event at the Arcata Community Center where people can take their broken stuff (electronics, clothing, jewelry, furniture, crockery, small appliances, etc.) to be repaired by local fixers. If you can carry it, chances are, they can fix it.
"'The rule is it has to be small enough that you can carry it in by yourself,' volunteer coordinator Wendy Ring told the Outpost. 'We won’t be able to take in refrigerators and things like that. We’ll have a retired electrician to work with smaller electrical appliances. We also have some IT specialists to help people with their computers. We have experts at putting fancy patches on clothes and another person for bicycle repairs. This is our first Repair Café, but we have quite a variety of people!'
"The upcoming event is part of an international movement, which originated in Amsterdam in 2009, to combat '#ThrowawayCulture,' promote #sustainability and teach people practical repair skills. 'We just bring our skills and fix stuff together,' Ring said.
"'The Repair Café movement is trying to change consumer culture and say, ‘No, we can’t just throw things away because they don’t just disappear,’ she continued. 'This is a way of making the things that we have last longer and teaching people how to fix things by watching our volunteers as they’re doing repairs. It’s also community building, which is something that we really need right now.'
"While the event is free, volunteers may request a donation if they need extra materials for repair. In some cases, it may take volunteers a little longer to diagnose the issue and get the parts needed for the fix.
"'If we don’t have the part on hand, we may ask you to come back next month,' Ring said, adding that she hopes to host the event once a month. 'Sometimes, it’s going to be a multi-step repair. We do have some people who have 3D printers who will be able to make parts for people. … We’ll also have little handbells around, and when a repair is made, we’ll ring the bell and have a mini celebration.'
"Asked what she would be taking to the Repair Café, Ring said she has a Kindle that needs fixing, some clothes her dog has chewed on and a jacket with a broken zipper. 'I put a collection of beautiful beach pebbles in my jacket pocket, and I’ve never been able to unzip it,' she said. 'That was a year ago. I can sew a little bit, but I can’t do zippers!'
"Cullen Groom, recreation supervisor for the City of Arcata’s environmental services department, is helping to support the program on behalf of the city, which is allowing the Repair Café to use the community center’s senior room free of charge."
FMI: https://lostcoastoutpost.com/2025/mar/26/repair-cafe/
#RepairCafesCalifornia #SolarPunkSunday #RepairCafes #RepairReuseRecycle #BuildingCommunity
#Tennessee: #NashvillePublicLibrary, #Goodlettsville Branch
Spring #PlantSwap / #SeedExchange
When: Saturday, April 5, 2025 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Where: Goodlettsville
Description: "Do you have too many seeds, seedlings, or plants? Bring your extras and share with the community. Don't forget to checkout seeds from our Seed Exchange!"
Contact: Goodlettsville (615) 862-5862
https://events.library.nashville.org/cal/event/eventView.do?b=de&href=/public/cals/MainCal/CAL-8a3e8e4b-93073382-0194-95829436-00002ce4.ics
#SolarPunkSunday #LibrariesRule #SeedSwap #SeedSharing #PlantSwap #BuildingCommunity #Gardening
#Tennessee: #NashvillePublicLibrary, Green Hills Branch
Vegetable #ContainerGardening
When: Thursday, April 3, 2025 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Where: Green Hills
Description: "Learn how growing plants in containers can expand your gardening options! Discover you can easily and successfully grow a variety of vegetables, flowers, and fruits in containers as varied as pots, tires and satellite dishes."
Contact: Green Hills (615) 862-5863
https://events.library.nashville.org/cal/event/eventView.do?b=de&href=/public/cals/MainCal/CAL-8a3e8e4b-9569b067-0195-b50201f3-00007226.ics
#SolarPunkSunday #LibrariesRule #VegetableGardening #FoodSecurity #BuildingCommunity #Gardening
#Tennessee: #NashvillePublicLibrary #SeedExchange
"The Seed Exchange offers access to local librarians who will support, coach, and cheer you on as you grow your own home, school, church, or community garden. The best part about our Seed Exchange: it’s free! All you need is a library card."
Borrow Seeds
"Use your library card to borrow vegetable, herb, and flower seeds at Main Library and select branches. Find a Seed Exchange location near you. Borrowing seeds is free. All you need is a Nashville Public Library card."
Grow Plants
"NPL’s Seed Exchange offers access to local librarians who will support, coach and cheer you on as you grow your own home, school, church or community garden. We’re also working with local farmers, gardeners and community agencies to offer free gardening workshops throughout the year."
Return Seeds
"Once the season is over, harvest seeds from your garden and return them to the library. We ask that you follow certain protocol when harvesting seeds to share with the Seed Exchange. We want people who take seed to get what was on the label and we want to protect from passing on disease.
"Additionally, we are always looking for #OpenPollinated, #HeirloomSeeds from anyone in the community who is willing to share, a little or a lot.
"Our Seed Protocol [linked below] includes guidelines for properly saving and preparing seeds to share."
https://library.nashville.org/events/seed-exchange
Seed protocol:
https://library.nashville.org/about/policies/seed-protocol
#SolarPunkSunday #LibrariesRule #SeedLibrary #SeedSharing #BuildingCommunity #Gardening
Join me on an epic Lego City Livestream Adventure! 
From blunders to brick-tastic builds, I'll share my behind-the-scenes story. Watch now: https://bricksandbuilds.charleshartmann.com/bricks-blogs-and-blunders-my-lego-city-livestream-adventure/ #LegoLivestream #BuildingCommunity #MOC (My Own Creations)
Consider planting an extra row for the hungry in your garden this spring
If you’re going to plant fruits, vegetables or herbs this spring, why not grow some extra for your local soup kitchen or pantry?
By JESSICA DAMIANO, March 18, 2025
"If you’re gearing up to plant fruits, vegetables or herbs this spring, why not grow some extra to donate to your local #SoupKitchen or #FoodPantry?
"The national #PlantARowForTheHungry campaign, launched in 1995, has been encouraging home and community gardeners to do just that every year to help feed neighbors in need of fresh food.
"The program was spearheaded in 1995 by Anchorage Daily News garden columnist Jeff Lowenfels, who wrote a column encouraging his readers to plant extra crops and donate their harvests.
"After seeing the impact that his column had on local food donations, Lowenfels partnered with GardenComm International, then known as Garden Writers of America, to enlist garden columnists all over the country to promote the cause in their own communities. Since then, more than 20 million pounds of produce, providing more than 80 million meals, have been donated through the campaign by home gardeners.
"'All of this has been achieved without government subsidy or bureaucratic red tape — just people helping people,' according to organizers on the campaign’s website. And there’s no big advertising campaign, either — just garden columnists and their readers spreading the word."
Read more:
https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2025/03/18/gardening-for-the-hungry/
#BuildingCommunity #FoodInsecurity #FoodSecurity #SolarPunkSunday #CommunityGardens
#LovelandCO - Still a green thumb: Loveland high schooler keeps up community garden started when she was 10-years-old
Story by Austin Fleskes, March 22, 2025
"Lauren Dietz was only 10 years old when she signed up for a Thompson School District contest to make an impact in her community. When the fifth grader at New Vision Charter School won, she used the money for a community garden to try and cut down on food insecurity in Loveland.
"That garden is still operating today, and the 15-year-old Mountain View High School freshman has no intention of stepping away from it.
"'I wouldn’t want to pass this off to anybody else,' she said. 'This is a passion project that I love doing and I want to keep doing it.'
"Lauren’s Community Garden offers 10 metal planting plots at the Loveland Youth Gardeners’ farm in east Loveland where residents can plant and grow their own food. Throughout the season, they are given the chance to work with other gardeners and and even get advice from LYG master gardeners to learn more about the ins and outs of growing.
"The free opportunity asks only that the gardeners be able to tend their space at least 30 minutes every other day and volunteer some of their time with the #YouthGardeners.
"Lauren won the Thompson Kids Can Change the World contest in 2021, receiving $250 with the goal of making a positive difference in her community. She said she looked to set up the community garden because she saw the impact of #FoodInsecurity on her community during the pandemic, explaining as she stood near the 10 metal planting plots at the Loveland Youth Gardeners’ farm in east Loveland. She said she saw the contest as an outlet to address that.
[...]
"Residents looking to apply to be part of the community garden this year can do so online at lovelandyouthgardeners.org. The growing season runs from May through October and those looking to apply must do so by May 1."
Full article:
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/still-a-green-thumb-loveland-high-schooler-keeps-up-community-garden-started-when-she-was-10-years-old/ar-AA1BqkCl
#BuildingCommunity #CommunityGardens #FoodSecurity #SolarPunkSunday #Colorado
#LexingtonNC - Lexington community youth garden will kick off 2nd season of growing
By Jill Doss-Raines, Mar 20, 2025
"A Lexington church and a nonprofit group will come together to kick off the second year of a community youth garden project.
"To do this, the project needs youths who want to learn about gardening.
"At 10 a.m. April 5, 2025 Anything For Our Youth Group and First Reformed United Church of Christ will kick off the growing season. This collaborative effort aims to educate and engage young people about sustainable gardening while fostering a sense of community, responsibility and #EnvironmentalStewardship.
"The garden project will provide youth with hands-on experience planting, cultivating and harvesting fresh fruits and vegetables. In addition to learning essential agricultural skills, participants will explore nutrition, food security and #environmental #conservation. The initiative also promotes teamwork, leadership and a connection to nature, values that help build a stronger, healthier community.
"'We are excited to bring this opportunity to the youth of Lexington,' said Tina Royal, director of Anything For Our Youth Group. 'This garden is more than just a place to grow food, it’s a space for learning, collaboration and community building. By working alongside dedicated mentors and volunteers, our youth will gain skills that benefit them for a lifetime.'
"First Reformed United Church of Christ, known for its commitment to outreach and service, has provided space and support for the project.
"'This partnership reflects our mission to serve the community and uplift the next generation,' said Edgar Miller, who is the church community garden organizer and the executive director of the #YadkinRiverkeeper Inc. 'We look forward to seeing the positive impact this garden will have on both the youth and the broader community.'
"Youth participants, volunteers and community members interested in supporting the initiative can participate. Registration is open to youth and families at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1DAkw2z_5rfhbD0KchylZL4nPCf0ZntUBUupBvX1yTaE/edit?usp=drivesdk.
"For more information on how to get involved, please contact afoygroup@gmail.com or visit www.anyforouryouthgroup.org.
"Anything For Our Youth Group is a nonprofit organization based in Lexington dedicated to empowering and supporting local youth through education, mentorship and community engagement.
"The organization’s mission is to provide young people with the resources, opportunities and life skills necessary to succeed and thrive."
Archived version:
https://archive.ph/XK9H4
#BuildingCommunity #FoodSecurity #SolarPunkSunday #CommunityGardens #NatureBasedLearning #Gardening
#Ohio: #PerryVillage #CommunityGarden returning for fifth year
Story by Bill DeBus, March 17, 2025
"Perry Village is preparing for another season of planting at its community garden in Lee Lydic Park.
"Village Councilman Mike Glover provided a couple of updates on the garden during council’s March 13 meeting.
"Village resident Denny Shimko 'graciously volunteered to rototill the garden again this year,' Glover said.
"'He usually does it as early as he can, but definitely by May 1,' said Glover, who also serves as chairman of the village Parks Committee.
"This year, the garden will be divided into 12 plots for individual growers, Glover said. Some of the plots are 20 feet by 20 feet, and others measure 10 feet by 20 feet, he noted.
"In 2024, Perry Village decided to make eight 20-by-20-foot plots available in the garden. All of those tracts were claimed by gardeners, and three people had to be turned away, Glover said during a 2024 council meeting.
"By giving people the option to choose 20-by-20 or 10-by-20 plots, additional spaces were created in the garden to accommodate more growers, Glover said at a council meeting in January.
"This is the fifth year of the community garden at Lee Lydic Park, 3954 Call Road.
"In 2021, Perry Village decided to develop the garden on the site of a sand volleyball court that received little use."
Read more:
https://www.msn.com/en-us/society-culture-and-history/holidays-and-festivals/perry-village-community-garden-returning-for-fifth-year/ar-AA1Bhqs1
#BuildingCommunity #CommunityGardens #FoodSecurity #SolarPunkSunday #PerryVillageOhio
#MonroeCountyMI - Got a library card? You can check-out a free #GardenPlot in Monroe
by Susan Nolan Wisler, March 23, 2025
MONROE COUNTY — "Now that it's spring, it’s time to reserve your community garden plot. Monroe County has several options, including some plots that can be checked-out free with a library card.
Monroe County Library System
"'The #BedfordBranchLibrary and the #BlueBushBranchLibrary both have garden plots that patrons can utilize. It is very similar to borrowing a book, but you 'check-out' a garden plot for the whole growing season. You can find them in our online catalog,' said Barbra Krueger, who works in community outreach for the Monroe County Library System.
"The Bedford Branch, 8575 Jackman Road in #TemperanceMI, has 10 garden beds; four are still available. The Blue Bush Branch, 2210 Blue Bush Road in #MonroeMI, has four beds that are all still available.
[...]
"Today, Blue Bush offers gardeners use of #rainwater collection barrels, a #CompostBin and a #GardenShed, which was purchased by the Friends of the Frenchtown Area Library. Inside the shed are gloves, rakes, hoes and trowels. Blue Bush also has a #SeedLibrary."
Learn more:
https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/local/2025/03/23/community-garden-plots-raised-beds-monroe-county-library-system-munson-park-st-mary-organic-garden/82563173007/
#Michigan #SolarPunkSunday #BuildingCommunity #CommunityGardens #FoodSecurity #LibrariesRule !
#KansasCity #CommunityGarden sale helps locals grow food amid rising grocery prices
Story by Alan Shope, March 21, 2025
"What started as a hobby has become a necessity for Aaliyah Mohammed.
"'I'm retired, so it means a lot to be able to grow my own food,' Mohammed said as she picked out starter plants during Kansas City Community Gardens’ (#KCCG) season-opening sale on Thursday."
Read more:
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/kansas-city-community-garden-sale-helps-locals-grow-food-amid-rising-grocery-prices/ar-AA1BlDmP
#BuildingCommunity #FoodSecurity #SolarPunkSunday #Gardening #Missouri
The Food Farm - Agroecology Map
"The Food Farm is a 16 acre #organic small farm in the Waipara Valley, North Canterbury #NewZealand.
Our property has been designed using permaculture principles and we produce most of our own food.
We help people achieve their food-growing goals. We're based on our organic #permaculture property in North Canterbury, #Aotearoa NZ."
https://agroecologymap.org/l/the-food-farm
#AgroEcology #sustainability #regenerativeagriculture #FoodSecurity #Permaculture #Permakulture #AgroForestry #BuildingCommunity #SolarPunkSunday
#LowerPaxtonTownshipPA - New #CommunityGarden unveiled in Lower Paxton Township
WHTM Harrisburg
Thu, March 20, 2025
Watch:
https://www.yahoo.com/news/community-garden-unveiled-lower-paxton-211240094.html
#Pennsylvania #CommunityGardens #BuildingCommunity #FoodSecurity #Gardening #SolarPunkSunday
Free! Saturday, June 8, 10am - 2pm, Eldredge Lumber and Hardware, 145 Presumpscot St., Portland ME
"Join us for an afternoon of learning and repairing while we reduce waste and promote sustainability in our community. Bring your broken household items such as small appliances, wooden furniture, bicycles, clothes, and more. Our team of skilled #Fixers will teach you how repair them for free!
"Think cozy coffee shop meets your dad’s workshop, meets your grandma’s knitting circle: a bright, bustling and inviting setting that has every tool for the job accessible to you and your expert volunteer. Yarn, nails, sewing machines, saws and hammers, etc. await those excited to take a stand against wasteful manufacturing practices.
"The Repair Café will feature designated workspaces for repairing small appliances, bicycles, textiles, and more. It will also be the home of comfy couches and sitting areas for those wanting to connect with like-minded community members. Need to fix your favorite sweater? Imagine someone guiding you through knitting a patch. Have a broken fan? There’s someone with electrical experience waiting for you at a workbench with all the necessary tools and parts. This is what we imagine the Repair Café can do for the community.
Repair Menu
- Bike repair/maintenance
- Small electrical appliances
- Furniture
- Knife sharpening
- Toys
- Audio/Visual equipment
- Smartphones
- Textiles
- Jewelry
- Lamps
- Vacuums
- Clocks
- And more!
FMI:
https://sustainabilityforme.org/repair-cafe/
#SolarPunkSunday #BuildingCommunity #RightToRepair #ReuseRepairRecycle #MaineRepairCafes #RepairCafesMaine #SouthernMaine #RepairCafes
#NewburyportMA: They can fix it: Annual spring #RepairCafe returning soon
By Jim Sullivan | Mar 20, 2025
NEWBURYPORT — "Folks hoping to get their bicycles fixed, their garden tools sharpened or even their house lamps mended should visit the Newburyport Senior/Community Center on Saturday, April 5, for the Time Trade Network of Greater Newburyport’s annual spring Repair Café.
"Taking place between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., the free event features over 30 local volunteers adept at tinkering with small appliances, textiles, jewelry, bikes, small wooden items and even mechanical clocks.
"Knife sharpening, as well as garden hand tool sharpening along with some expert advice on chair caning will also be offered.
"'We want to encourage people to have their items repaired instead of putting them into the waste stream,' event organizer Elizabeth Marcus said. 'They can also get to see just how easy and fun it can sometimes be.'
"The #TimeTradeNetwork of Greater Newburyport is a group of local volunteers willing and eager to share their knowledge as well as talents with one another.
At the Repair Café, people can bring up to three small, clean items then watch while each is repaired on the spot."
Archived version:
https://archive.ph/aSRM8#
#SolarPunkSunday #BuildingCommunity #RightToRepair #ReuseRepairRecycle #MassachusettsRepairCafes #TimeDollarNetwork #TimeDollars #TimeBanks #RepairCafeNewburyport
#SpringfieldIL #CommunityGarden Seeks Applicants for 2025 Season
March 13, 2025 in Local News |
"The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) seeks individuals or families interested in starting their own garden to raise fruits, vegetables, herbs and flowers in a community setting. The IDOA’s Community Garden is located on the infield of the #IllinoisStateFair Grandstand racetrack and features 200 garden plots. Of those plots, 100 are designated for organic gardening, and the remaining 100 plots are assigned for non-organic gardening. Each plot costs $20 and can be tilled for you for an additional charge. The Department will supply water and #compost free of charge. Those interested in participating in the 2025 growing season are encouraged to fill out a garden application on the IDOA website: agr.illinois.gov/consumers/communitygarden.html Completed applications and payments can be returned by mail or to the front desk of the IDOA at the John R. Block Building, Attention: Community Garden, 801 E. Sangamon Ave., Springfield, IL 62794. If you would like more information about this year’s Community Garden, visit the IDOA website or contact the Department at (217) 785-8300."
http://www.lawndalenews.com/2025/03/community-garden-seeks-applicants-for-2025-season/
#FoodSovereignty #FoodSecurity #BuildingCommunity #CommunityGardens #SolarPunkSunday #Illinois
