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| CFI Newsletter, February 2022
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| Rooted and Rising in Community
CFI recently attended the Ohio Ecological Food and Farming Association [OEFFA] conference in Dayton, Ohio, joining hundreds of other individuals interested in and commited to local and sustainable food to discuss this year's theme, Rooted and Rising. We left the conference inspired by what we learned, by the people we met, and by abundant affirmation that the work we do is critical.
In a session entitled “Transformation of Agriculture Through the Lens of George Washington Carver,” Sustainable Communities Network Director, Jim Embry, asserted 3 key points that are especially resonant as CFI celebrates our 30th anniversary, and as we feel the approach of spring in southeastern Ohio: 1) We can’t know where we’re going until we know where we came from; 2) In order to transform agriculture to a more sustainable, equitable system, future generations need to realize humans are rooted in and dependent on the natural world; 3) To transform our food system we also need to connect agriculture with art and beauty.
As morning birdsong turns raucous, as green returns to the world around us, as we anticipate an explosion of pink and white blooms in the hills, as we plan our gardens and think about coaxing seeds to sprout, as we learn about where we came from and embrace our journey forward -- and as our hearts are heavy with world news -- we return to our roots in community and know that connecting with each other and with the Earth will always be how we rise. Thank you for being on this journey with us.
There is so much in our heads and hearts, and at the same time there is so much coming up! Please read on for updates.
Sincerely,
The CFI team
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| What Else is Growing in the CFI Garden
Check out upcoming events below, including exciting opportunities to get involved. Thank you for growing and sharing with us!
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2022 Cause Connector Campaign
Cause Connector is a charitable site through the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio that allows donors to search for projects serving their local community across the areas of arts and culture, community and economic development, education, environmental stewardship, and health and human services.
CFI’s project to improve our winter food supply is being highlighted during March! Any funds raised will support our project, “Growing Our Winter Food Supply,” and will enable us to contract local farmers to provide fresh, healthy food for those facing food insecurity during the most critical months of the year. Those who would like to play a part in supporting this work can visit www.CauseConnector.org to make a gift until April 8. Gifts of all sizes are welcome.
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Seeking Recipes Testers!
Do you love to cook? We need recipe testers! CFI's Discovery Kitchen is a project that inspires folks to incorporate more local, seasonal food into their diet. We share these recipes with Donation Station recipients to make sure everyone knows how to use the produce we distribute, and we also share recipes with the general public at events and on social media. We're working on putting together a stellar community resource and would love your help! Every Saturday on Facebook we'll post a recipe and a link to a simple form for feedback. All you have to do is make the dish and let us know what you think! We'd also love any photos you take of your kitchen masterpieces. Your participation will be a huge help!
Thank you! Email with any questions!
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COMCorps Application Open
Are you familiar with COMCorps, the AmeriCorps program through Ohio University’s Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine?
Every year CFI hosts COMCorps members for an 11.5 month term of volunteer service. Each COMCorps member serves 1700 hours with their host site, making these individuals an essential part of our team. More significant than the hours they contribute, however, is the growth and development that happens for everyone on the CFI team, COMCorps members and CFI staff alike, through this program. Every COMCorps member brings their own expertise, ideas, and energy to strengthen our work, and by the end of each term they feel like family. We then have the incredible honor of watching them go out into the world, taking their experience at CFI wherever they go. The application is now open, so if you know young individuals who might be interested, feel free to send them our way!
If you’re interested in learning more about this amazing program, Ohio University is hosting a virtual AmeriCorps Service Panel Discussion on March 2, from 6:30-8 pm that is open to anyone. Hear from current service members, host sites, and more about the importance of National Service.
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| Save the Date for our Annual Member Meeting!
Our annual member meeting is quickly approaching and we’re looking forward to gathering outdoors **in person** this year! Mark your calendars for April 1 at 5pm and stay tuned for details.
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Veggie Van Back on the Road
The Veggie Van is back on the road as of February 16th! Ivan and the Veggie Van team are taking fresh produce and recipes to Coolville every Wednesday. We’re in the process of determining what the rest of the season’s schedule will look like, so reach out if you’d like Veggie Van to visit your community!
Want to stay up to date on VV happenings? Sign up for our monthly Veggie Van newsletter! Each newsletter features recipes and information about all things food.
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| What Else?
Donation Station is at the Athens Farmers Market every Saturday all winter long, and we happily accept produce purchased at market! We are also currently accepting seed donations for our upcoming Garden Giveaway event. You can find Donation Station just inside the mall entrance.
There's always more happening at CFI than we have room to share here. Be sure to follow us on social media: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter.
Looking for different ways to help the CFI garden grow? Visit our website for information about our programming and to see how you can get involved.
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