We are so grateful for all the community support we had for the Goodness Grows Family Fun Fest. This year brought more special guests than ever before. Miss Peg was here with crafts from the Green Team. F5RS (Frisky Ferrets, Fuzzies, & Feathered Friends Rescue & Sanctuary) brought friendly therapy rabbits from their amazing Bunnies in Baskets program. Angels for Animals volunteers were here with cute dogs and kittens. Funky Punky Cotton Candy donated special bags of cotton candy, complete with Fun Fest labels. The Youngstown Phantoms Hockey Team sent their fantastic mascot and the slap shot inflatable. In addition to all that, guests enjoyed a magic show, games, face painting, the Bake Walk, wagon rides, food, and more! Everyone seemed to enjoy their time celebrating Goodness Grows. We appreciate all who came out to support our program. All of you help us to keep growing goodness right here in North Lima!
Our staff and clients spend the summer working hard. Out back, we have two large fields, plus a smaller potato field, and plenty of raised beds of various shapes and sizes. We have raised beds out front, along with flower beds we tend. Our newly covered back greenhouse has berry bushes to care for and the front greenhouse has our hydroponic system. As you can imagine, this means much time is spent planting, harvesting, watering, and weeding. So much weeding! In addition to this work, we make jam, pack up CSA shares, get supplies ready for markets, clean, build, organize, cook, host mission groups, volunteer at Whispering Pines, stuff and sew catnip toys...the list goes on! Summer keeps us hopping, but everyone is enjoying keeping busy and accomplishing so much. Hard to believe it is August already!
Grace Presbyterian, First United Methodist, Trinity United Methodist, Middleburg Reformed, City Church, and Southminster Presbyterian mission groups traveled from towns and cities in Pennsylvania, New York, Michigan, and Ohio to spend time with us this summer. We appreciate each and everyone one of these hard working folks! These groups gave up some of their summer vacation to come here and help our organization and others, like the Rescue Mission, Second Harvest, the Walnut Grove playground, and more. We had everyone from young kids right up to retired age men and women working here to improve our property and keep things growing like they should be. No task was too big or too small, and they often did those tasks with laughter and song...and always with a smile! We thank all of them for their caring hearts, compassionate spirits, and helping hands. From building benches and raised beds, to berry picking and jam making, to cleaning and weeding (So. Much. Weeding.), everything was fun when shared with these special groups.
CSA Time
Tomorrow will be the 6th of our 14 CSA pick-up days. We are almost to the half-way mark! So far, subscribers have gotten a hanging basket, Jungle Jam, fresh pesto, zucchini bread, local eggs, McMaster's corn, Dillon's blueberries, our own lettuce, herbs, tomatoes, beets, radishes, beans, onions, and much more. Each week also includes some recipe ideas to turn to for help when you just don't know what to make. (And haven't we all been there?!?!) We pledged to provide at least six items per week, for both full and mini (sized for one person) subscriptions. Some weeks, like this week, we even have eight or nine items. We hope our subscribers are enjoying the fresh and local deliciousness and we thank them all from the bottom of our hearts for supporting our non-profit mission!
Coming Up in September
In addition to our normal events, we have a couple of special September shows that we are pretty excited about. On September 8th, we will be in Hartville at the Heart & Home Marketplace at Maize Valley Winery's Sunflower Festival! Expect 100 local makers, bakers and growers! Enjoy live local music, and Maize Valley's own wine and craft beer...and pick up some Jungle Jam! Then, on the 15th, we will be in Canfield at the 49th Annual Fall Market, sponsored by the Junior Women's League of Canfield. This event features arts, crafts, antiques, produce, seasonal decor, and even dog rescues...over 200 vendors. Stop by our table for a free sample and buy some jam to start your fall right!
CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE & FACEBOOK PAGE TO LEARN MORE!
Goodness Grows is a faith-based 501(c)3 non-profit operating out of Common Ground Church Community. Our mission is to cultivate personal, social, and community growth through gardening, education, and opportunity for people of all abilities. We are working to improve people's lives through social and therapeutic gardening practices. We would love for you to join us!
Create. Cultivate. Thrive.
Email: kitty@goodnessgrows4all.org
Website: www.goodnessgrows4all.org/
Location: 2310 West South Range Road, North Lima, OH, USA
Phone: 330-549-9408
Facebook: facebook.com/GoodnessGrows4all/
Twitter: @GGrows