GREEN WARRIORS UNITED
Congratulations to Smiling Hogshead Ranch, who signed a lease with the MTA this past week after two years of organizing, negotiating, and growing in the space at 25-30 Skillman Avenue (at Pearson Place) in Long Island City, Queens. Visit their blog to read about what they grow, how they got started, and upcoming events. Want to check out their space? The Two Row Camp is hosting an overnight camp at the Ranch this Saturday, August 9th, starting at 7 pm with a potluck! Contact smilinghogsheadranch@gmail.com to get the details.
Want to intern with us?
596 Acres is seeking an intern who can work with us 10 hours per week for 10 weeks, September 2 - November 6, 2014. Tasks will include tabling at fun events, putting up signs on vacant lots, helping with follow-up and transcription from the April 22-23 Vacant Acres Symposium, and helping us with our second-ever gala fundraiser (Mapping Matters on October 2 at Galapagos Art Space in DUMBO) and more! Click
here for more details and how to apply.
We lot labeled in Weeksville, Brooklyn and Jamaica, Queens!
Yesterday we headed out to Weeksville, Brooklyn and Jamaica, Queens to label a bunch of lots! The highlight of our adventures was visiting
the five lots that sit on Rochester Ave and Suydam Place in Weeksville which were
planned as open space way back in 1968! We chatted with neighbors who were excited to hear that they could make this park come true. They're going to start talking to their block association about reaching out to their elected officials to get this thing movin'!
Special thanks to
Murray Cox for coming along and taking the beautiful photos at the top and bottom of this newsletter! See them all
here!
NEWS FROM THE ORGANIZING ACRES
Harlem, Manhattan - Leora is the director of a woman's empowerment program that also teams up with GEMS, a non-profit that helps girls who are the victims of sexual abuse and exploitation. After a visit to an urban farm in Harlem last year, girls in the program were eager to get gardening. Leora would like to turn the vacant
lot on 2803 8th Ave near 149th Street into a garden that can be used by the community and maintained by the GEMS team. Want to help? Email or call Leora and let her know you'd like to go door-to-door with her!:
917-337-0147 or leora@goddess-onthego.com.
Brownsville, Brooklyn - Manny has lives in his neighbor for 35 years and says the block he lives on could really use a garden. The corner lot at 511 Liberty Ave might be just the spot! Contact mary@596acres.org or call 718-316-6092 ext 3 to get connect to Manny.
Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn - We spoke to Housing Preservation and Development and found out that while the lot at 821 Willoughby is slated for development in 2017 the plans are vague and this might be a good place to pursue a temporary GreenThumb garden. If you're interested, contact Neha at chhedane@gmail.com or 917-589-3404 to help organize a meeting!
Lots with Access!
Keap Fourth Community Garden is having a workday session TONIGHT, Thursday, August 7th from 6-8pm. Head over to the corner of Keap Street and Fourth Street in Williamsburg, Brooklyn help clean up and sow some Fall greens!
Patchen Community Square (Patchen Avenue at Putnam Avenue, Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn) is having their monthly meeting this Saturday, August 9th at 11 am. Read the latest on their website about the happenings in the garden.
Harlem Valley Garden needs help! Head over to their workday and BBQ happening this Sunday, August 10th kicking off at 10 am at 97 West 134th St (at Malcom X Blvd, Harlem, Manhattan). Join the Facebook event here.
BK Rot is hosting their first meeting at their new site at 1278 Myrtle between (between Dekalb Ave and Cedar Street, Bushwick, Brooklyn) on Saturday August 16th at 3pm. Show up and help this new space get going and give your input! Email sandranurse@riseup.net for more information.
Know a lot that needs a cleaning?
You can request a lot cleanings for any lot in the city through the Department of Sanitation. It doesn't matter if the lot is publicly or privately owned! Read more here.
GREEN FOR YOUR GREEN
We maintain a list of micro grants and resources that can help you make your project a reality AFTER you have access to your lot. Groups working on lots that 596 Acres helped them access have already raised over $150,000 for their growing spaces. Have you received a grant or resources for your community project because you read about them here? Tell us about it! Shoot us at email at organizers@596acres.org and let us know!
yours,
596 Acres
