ALL THE NEWS: Blog, Donations, Grower’s Support, Donations, Volunteers and the Adopt A Tomato Project.
BLOG: look up www.oursharedharvest.blogspot.com for all the news, instructions and contact information. This letter will be posted there, too.
Donations. 4Imprint gave us $500 worth of small eco-friendly shopping bags with the Shared Harvest Logo. Cheryl Cina coordinated the gift. We are handing these out to with information on donating fresh produce to gardeners and donors at Farmer’s Markets, Associated Bank and Fernaus. We have one to every vendor at the Saturday farmer’s market. I was surprised to learn that almost every one of the craft vendors had a large garden (goldmine!). The produce vendors were pleased to get the information as well. I was surprised how many smiles came out for the bags! 4Imprint also donated the dirt for the Christine Anne Garden (thanks Vicki Schroeder).
Growers: I will be meeting with Jim Schieck and several of the produce farmers who lease from him this Thursday. We are probably going to be picking up excess produce several times a week as the crops mature.
Donations: Farmer’s market vendors and individual donors gave lettuce, rhubarb, green onions, and green garlic (same idea as a green onion, but garlic). We were approached by vendors who have cheese products and meat products who may wish to donate. Of course, we said yes, thank you.
Volunteers: Michelle Bernard from Salvation Army and Friday Morning Rotary will cover the Wednesday (Live at Lunch) market. Oshkosh & Southwest Rotary will cover the Tuesday (Festival Foods) and Saturday (Oshkosh City Hall Markets). Thanks to Michelle, Jack Klein, Kathy Murphy, Peg Schiek, Glen Steinbrenner and Rich Kern, Sue Panek, Cecil & Sue Streeter for volunteering and other scheduling hours . Thanks to Winnbago County Master Gardener Volunteers Lillian Hansche, Linda Loker, Ann Murphy and Tom Weber for volunteering to help build, prepare and maintain the Christine Ann Vegetable Garden.
Adopt A Tomato Project: Pat Manske, a friend of Paul Fowler’s has been selling plants along highway 45 for many years. She donated about 100 tomato plants to be adopted by patrons of the the Oshkosh Area Community Pantry Project and private gardeners who agree to donate the fruits to Area Pantries. The Langkau family of Oshkosh, adopted six plants this afternoon. Nick Schneider, UWEX and Winnebago County Agricultural Agent and his friend Hannah are fostering another 100 or so tomatoes that will soon be up for adoption.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR SATURDAY AND TUESDAY MORNING MARKETS:
I am hoping that everyone will fill comfortable taking on three shifts at the various markets over the summer. As usual, the second shift will be responsible for taking down the tent (and taking it to my office or Robbins) and delivering the produce to the Oshkosh Area Community Pantry on Jackson Street.
Ken Friedman
Oshkosh Rotary Southwest
