New Kensington Community Development Corporation (NKCDC)的动态

Have you heard about Food Forests? ?? In Philadelphia, special trees and plants have started cropping up in empty spaces all over the city providing people with fresh fruits, nuts, mushrooms, herbs and much more! The Philadelphia Orchard Project started back in 2007 and has been working with local community groups and volunteers to plant community orchards all over the city. Food forests are different from urban farms because the crops they grow are perennial - meaning the trees and plants will continue to produce food year after year after year for communities to harvest and enjoy. Roughly one in ten households in the city are classified as ‘food insecure’, meaning they don’t have enough healthy, nutritious food to eat so this idea could help. Philadelphia’s orchards are part of a growing worldwide movement of planting ‘food forests’ in cities. There are currently over 85 food forests in the US, from Seattle to Atlanta, with many more cropping up around the world. Find out more about food forests here: https://lnkd.in/dbA82zEg #PeopleFixingTheWorld #FoodSecurity #FoodFramingSolutions #FoodForests

Closed doors create neglect, open doors create opportunities for quality of life. Dont be a door bitch! ?????? These opportunities are vital as in most homes, even those with beautiful gardens, residents dont ever get outside and thats the ones who dont need assistance to do so. The benefits are well known to all. So start opening doors to reduce the neglect #OTD2030 and not just watching gardeners, being gardeners, not just in the MSU garden, in the community garden (home and outside the home community). When I spoke at a pharmacists conference last year i said that the reasons i hear people arent outside are its too hot, too cold, raining, might rain, a meteor might fall and hit the garden! Its an excuse for poir staffing and absence of person centred care at it doesnt fit routines. Kitchens should be used by residents (guests) and gardens for gardening, play or relaxing; not being wheeled out for 10 minutes to watch whats happening then back to the routines. Congrats to Vegepods and Bunnings though this should be budgeted as essential maintenance. This can also help sustainability and carbon neutrality Uniting Communities but it needs education and a team culture first. A task oriented, silo culture make it impossible. And were just talking about access to outside. Now think what care farms could be like in regional towns and areas? ???????? #dementia

We're sharing an initiative from Soil Association Food for Life today, which may come in handy as an activity to entertain the children during the Easter break. Welcome to the #plantandshare project, which is an opportunity to try your hand at growing, on any scale takes - from a simple pot of cress to a whole allotment. Food and Farming is an important consideration for sustainability and climate awareness, and we are firm believers in sharing the journey of food with children as part of their upbringing and education. When children develop an understanding of where our food comes from and the importance of growing and eating with the seasons (where possible), it helps towards learning how to live more sustainable lives. What's more, children can impart their knowledge and understanding, and influence their families, friends and local communities to get involved too. The Food for Life website shares more details of this initiative and its impact: "Taking place throughout the spring, Plant and Share is all about growing and sharing that love of growing, or produce of growing with friends, family, classmates, teachers, community groups or even someone you've never met before but shares an interest. Running for a month throughout April – May, in 2023 we had an estimated 46,000 people attend a plant and share event across the country, with the highest registrations we’d ever seen across a vast selection of areas, from community gardens, to libraries with an apiary, to community groups growing food from African heritage in Birmingham and Cardiff, and the many schools and early years settings who took over their garden spaces with their grandparents, for Grandparent Gardening Week." Do take a look, and let us know what your children might be growing this year. ?? https://lnkd.in/e7WfEdSn

Today, let's take a moment to honour and celebrate the seniors who enrich our lives and strengthen our community with their wisdom and experiences. Showing gratitude and appreciation is a wonderful way to recognize their contributions. Here are a few simple yet meaningful ideas to express our thanks during Seniors' Week: Send a heartfelt note - Brighten their day with a handwritten card. Spend quality time - Visit, share a meal, or have a conversation. Offer assistance - Help with shopping, gardening, or chores. Share memories - Reminisce and express gratitude for their wisdom. Let's make Seniors' Week truly special with acts of kindness. #SeniorsWeek

'Not my garden, not my weeds...' Now if you've worked with me, you may have heard me say this and for those of you that haven't worked with me yet, you are probably wondering what I'm going on about. You see, us lovely folk in social care like to care and we like to help, quite often to our detriment. Just think for a minute about the amount of times you have taken on work for example which isn't yours to do on top of your work. A few? A lot? Yup, we all do it. Often it's because we want to help or it's just easier if we get on and do it ourselves. Long term this leads to two things- overwhelm for you and a lack of empowerment for the other person/ people. It also means that there is an expectation that you will do it again. So this is where the implementation of healthy boundaries is great and super helpful. Once implemented you will feel free, the overwhelm wont be there and others will be empowered. To be able to do this we need a good starting place and this is where ' not my garden not my weeds ' comes in. It's a really easy question to ask yourself Is it your garden and are they your weeds? If it's a no, move on. You wouldn't weed your neighbours garden at home so why do it at work? You can help others, you can show others and you can encourage others. Its often not always helpful to do things for them. If you do, eventually they will just get more weeds.

We made it to Friday, it’s time to get “CRABBY”… I am a photographer, and lived most of my life in Maryland. Not only that I take photos of the culture and wild habitats, but I’m also immersed in it ecosystem of the Chesapeake Bay. So here is a little run down on our iconic blue crabs. Blue crabs are an integral part of Maryland's identity, with a rich cultural significance that extends throughout the Chesapeake Bay region. Not only are they a popular seafood choice, but they also serve as a crucial indicator of the bay's overall health. The fluctuation in blue crab populations is closely tied to water quality and habitat preservation, making them a key barometer for the bay's ecosystem. In Maryland, blue crabs are more than just a food source – they are a way of life. Crabbing is a cherished tradition, with many residents spending summer days out on the water, pulling up traps and enjoying the fruits of the bay. Crab feasts and crab boils are a common sight, bringing families and communities together to crack open steamed crabs and savor the experience. One of the most iconic elements of enjoying blue crabs in Maryland is the use of Old Bay seasoning. This blend of herbs and spices, originating in Baltimore in the 1940s, is a staple in crab dishes throughout the region. Its unique flavor profile complements the sweetness of crab meat, adding a distinct kick to each bite. Historically, blue crabs have played a significant role in Maryland's economy, particularly in the commercial crabbing industry. The harvest of blue crabs has provided livelihoods for generations of fisherman, who rely on the bay's resources for their income. While challenges such as overfishing and habitat loss have threatened the sustainability of the crab population, conservation efforts have been implemented to protect and restore their habitats. Blue crabs are more than just a seafood delicacy in Maryland – they are a symbol of this region. Whether enjoyed at a crab feast or in a crab cake, these crustaceans hold a special place in the hearts of Marylanders, serving as a reminder of the importance of preserving the Chesapeake Bay's diverse ecosystem. If you ever have an opportunity to visit Maryland, make sure you participate in an authentic crab feast to fully immersed in the local culture. Text and photo copyright ??Beatrix Gregg #bluecrabs #maryland #oldbayculture

Today we celebrate Don’t Step on a Bee Day! Bees are so vitally important for the planet’s ecosystem, and yet they are still under threat like never before. Here are our top five 5 Bee care tips: 1.Don’t step on a bee (of course!) 2. Support your local beekeeper. 3. Plant Flowers! 4. Identify your local bees. 5. Give the lawnmower a rest. Leave the dandelions and daisies to grow for a few weeks to provide food for bees and butterflies. If not the whole lawn, perhaps allow for a little wildflower area for insects and pollinators. #DontStepOnABeeDay #BeeGoodtobees

A simple way to improve the composition of the soil in the garden: summer residents named an affordable universal remedy There are two proven ways to use bay leaves in the garden. https://lnkd.in/esmfKgbY

A simple way to improve the composition of the soil in the garden: summer residents named an affordable universal remedy There are two proven ways to use bay leaves in the garden. https://lnkd.in/eXxCuTyp

Check out this article about Edgewater Food Forest and all the partners who help make it come alive!