Exciting News & Important Dates

Thursday, April 01st, 2010 | Author: Raz

IMPORTANT MEETINGTuesday, June 8th, 6:30 pm at the Oviedo Library, 310 Division Street -  Come hear a special presentation by Mr. Robert Bowden, director of Leu Gardens. He is coming to speak to us and has offered to help us get our community gardens started. Robert has been involved with many community gardens throughout central FL, and most recently played an important role in the successful launching of the community gardens in Sanford.

CITY COUNCIL MEETINGMonday, June 21st, 6:30 pm at City Hall, Oviedo -Join us as we present our business plan to the City Council. Mr. Robert Bowden will be joining us and the more attendees we can have the better chances we have of making an impression on the city council members.

CALLING ALL OVIEDO FARM VOLUNTEERS TO WORK THE METHODIST CHURCH COMMUNITY GARDENS – This is a pilot project we a launching in order to help out with a community garden project already underway. The church garden is a project that Mr. Bob Saunders has taken on by himself, in order to grow food to be donated to a local food pantry. This is a big project for one person so we have offered to help him out. We will be pulling weeds, mulching and building the soil for a healthier harvest. This will be a fun, hard-working, community event. Please come prepared with any or all of the following items:

 shovel, hard rake, newspaper, grass clippings, gloves and a kneeling pad, 3/4″ PVC pipe (we will use this to build drip irrigation)

 The volunteer work days at the Methodist Church Community Gardens are scheduled for:

SATURDAY, JUNE 5TH @ 8:00 am

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9TH @ 6:30 pm

 The church address is:263 King St., Oviedo. The gardens are located on Lake Jessup Rd. 1/2 block north of the church.

Spread the word, bring family members or friends. The Oviedo Farm is growin in the right direction!

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Important Meeting – Tues., June 8th

Sunday, March 21st, 2010 | Author: toffee

announcementOur next planning meeting is scheduled for Tues., June 9, at 6:30 pm at the Oviedo Library.  Please join us.

Meeting agenda:

Mr. Robert Bowden, director of Leu Gardens will be on hand to talk to us about starting our community garden, writing our business plan, and our presentation to City Council in a few weeks.

Thanks to everyone who joined us on Saturday as we helped with The Methodist Church community garden, for which the harvest is donated to help feed the homeless in Oviedo. We have another volunteer day next Wed., June 9th at 6:30 pm. Come join us we could use all the help we can get. We will be mulching, and fertilizing. There are always weeds to be pulled.

Soon to be posted, are pictures taken on Saturday, of the volunteers hard at work. Thanks again. We really accomplished a lot in 2 hours and had fun doing it.

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First Planning Meeting

Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010 | Author: toffee

Invitation to Mar 2nd MtgannouncementOur first planning meeting was a success. With over 30 people in attendance and over half of them volunteering to help take us to the next level, phase 2, and beyond.

I have to admit I was a bit nervous launching my first public address to the community. But once we got rolling I was relaxed and enjoying the enthusiastic response to the presentation.

We will post a video of the meeting soon, so stay tuned!

Please make note of our NEW email address: theoviedofarm@gmail.com

We will be sending emials to those of you who have signed up to help out. We will be assigning specific tasks for you, scheduling a working meeting to clarify and discuss plans to carryout these tasks.

For phase 2 plans and volunteer opportunities see the ”Planning” category sidebar.

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The Talking Farm

Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010 | Author: toffee

The Talking FarmRuth encountered this group in Illinois.  Their mission sounds inspiring;

The Talking Farm’s mission is to operate a sustainable urban agricultural enterprise that provides fresh and locally-grown food, job training and environmental education, and related research.

Here’s a link to their site:

http://www.thetalkingfarm.org/

Inspiring Community Garden

Sunday, February 21st, 2010 | Author: toffee

This is a short (9 min) documentary that chronicles the regular practices and annual plant sale of a community garden in Austin, TX.  It is inspiring and heart-warming.  And we have contacted the Sunshine Community Garden and asked for a better quality version of the film so we could show it to those interested in The Oviedo Farm.  They have graciously offered to send us a copy on DVD and wished us good luck in our endeavors!

Website Meeting

Sunday, February 21st, 2010 | Author: toffee

Possible date for Website Planning and Training Meeting.

If you can’t attend, submit suggestions and concerns via comments below or the Contact form.  Thanks.

Sunday, Feb 21st, 2010. 8:30-11:00pm, at location TBD.

Oviedo Chickens

Saturday, February 20th, 2010 | Author: toffee

ideaOne idea is to provide a safe haven for some of the local chickens in Oviedo.

Do you know the history of the chickens?  Watch this video to learn.

Did you know the Oviedo chickens even have their own facebook page??

Financial Support

Saturday, February 20th, 2010 | Author: toffee

cartThe Oviedo Farm project will need funds to operate.  Especially at the scale we eventually want to grow into – providing a community resource to the citizens of Oviedo.  Sources of financial support could include;

  • Festivals – We will hold harvest time celebrations that will be open to the public twice per year. Through the sale of raffle tickets, bake sales and  the collection of donations the public will have an opportunity to support The Oviedo Farm.
  • Volunteering – We welcome volunteers of all ages and capabilities from within the community and surrounding communities. Volunteer share days with UCF and the like.
  • Donations – We will look to the business community for their support of the farm.
  • Charity – The Oviedo Farm will make donations to local charities in return.
  • Grants – We will seek the aid of available grant money.

If you have ideas for others, please let us know. Also, if you wish to donate (equipment, time, or money), please contact us!

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Mascot

Saturday, February 20th, 2010 | Author: toffee

Oviedo Farm MascotideaOne idea is to have a friendly mascot – especially for the kids’ programs.

What about an earthworm?

Can someone draw a cute mascot like this (borrowed image)?

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Products & Services

Saturday, February 20th, 2010 | Author: toffee

notesThe Oviedo Farm is more than a community garden.  It should (eventually) be able to provide a variety of Products and Services to the local community including;

  • Production – We will grow heirloom varieties that grow well in central FL. By laws will include guides for growing sustainably. This means using only the best quality natural fertilizers and compost materials available. It also means using well and rain water for irrigation.
  • Job Training – Programs will include: Youth Programs for Summer and After School. Volunteer Programs to support community service goals. Skills Training Programs to promote job opportunities.
  • Education –   Adult Classes – organic gardening, composting, food preservation and more.  Youth Classes – tying into public school curriculum on natural life cycles, nutrition & health, and environmental science.
  • Agricultural Therapy –   Engaging the elderly or the special needs members of our community using raised bed frames.

Please comment below if you have other ideas.

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