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Abstract: Take the Money and Run: Funding loosely planned projects
Sometimes money is there for the taking if you can convince someone that your idea is worth an investment, even if you are unsure it will work. This story is by one professor and three rural librarians who believe in the library’s power to improve communities through education about healthy eating, ecosystems, and sustainable local agriculture. The story begins with high hopes and a loose plan around rural education and library gardens. A narrative is slowly emerging from a rocky and uncertain beginning. It is crafted with dirt, a book bike, insects, and vegetables, and we will watch the plot unfold over the summer.
Librarian 1: Our library is committed to health programming, and healthy food is only one facet. We have partnerships with University Extension and the public schools’ community gardener. We have built raised beds and have just bought a Charlie Cart that we are using to expand our programming about healthy foods and sustainable agriculture. Classes will include salsa-making and fermentation. Gardening is so much more fun when it is done in the community. We are reaching young people through our partnership with the schools. We are working with the YMCA to provide breakfasts, lunches, and snack times, and their intern is going to do programming. Our town does have a farmer’s market, but the library has greater reach, especially to underserved people.
Story 2: We were one of the founding members of our community garden, and we have a well-used seed library and extensive gardening collection. The gardeners share their produce and learn from each other about how to cook unfamiliar vegetables. The garden fosters fellowship and cooperation. We also hold storytimes at the Farmer’s Market, giving the parents time to shop. The new grant is being used to purchase a book bike that will bring the library to the Farmer’s Market and other events. We are lucky - our library board supports our many health initiatives, such as bringing in a health aide twice a week. Our patrons are so appreciative.
Story 3: Our small garden and related programming are growing! Last summer two grandparents and their 5-year-old granddaughter came every Thursday to care for their garden plot. This year the granddaughter has adopted her own small plot and filled it with strawberry plants. The new grant has been used to build 3 new raised beds and a pergola for programming, and our Extension partner has another grant to build a shed. So far this year we have hosted one well-attended program led by local Master Gardeners. Another fun story is that a library volunteer donated 750 seed packages that she grouped thematically (e.g., “Hagrid’s garden”) which we will use as inspiration for summer book talks.
Conclusion:
In the fall we will be on the downside of the harvest season. This summer we will document progress and collect stories in photos and observations. The presentation will cover creative funding, partnerships, and progress in this ongoing project.
Librarian 1: Our library is committed to health programming, and healthy food is only one facet. We have partnerships with University Extension and the public schools’ community gardener. We have built raised beds and have just bought a Charlie Cart that we are using to expand our programming about healthy foods and sustainable agriculture. Classes will include salsa-making and fermentation. Gardening is so much more fun when it is done in the community. We are reaching young people through our partnership with the schools. We are working with the YMCA to provide breakfasts, lunches, and snack times, and their intern is going to do programming. Our town does have a farmer’s market, but the library has greater reach, especially to underserved people.
Story 2: We were one of the founding members of our community garden, and we have a well-used seed library and extensive gardening collection. The gardeners share their produce and learn from each other about how to cook unfamiliar vegetables. The garden fosters fellowship and cooperation. We also hold storytimes at the Farmer’s Market, giving the parents time to shop. The new grant is being used to purchase a book bike that will bring the library to the Farmer’s Market and other events. We are lucky - our library board supports our many health initiatives, such as bringing in a health aide twice a week. Our patrons are so appreciative.
Story 3: Our small garden and related programming are growing! Last summer two grandparents and their 5-year-old granddaughter came every Thursday to care for their garden plot. This year the granddaughter has adopted her own small plot and filled it with strawberry plants. The new grant has been used to build 3 new raised beds and a pergola for programming, and our Extension partner has another grant to build a shed. So far this year we have hosted one well-attended program led by local Master Gardeners. Another fun story is that a library volunteer donated 750 seed packages that she grouped thematically (e.g., “Hagrid’s garden”) which we will use as inspiration for summer book talks.
Conclusion:
In the fall we will be on the downside of the harvest season. This summer we will document progress and collect stories in photos and observations. The presentation will cover creative funding, partnerships, and progress in this ongoing project.