Dear Friends of Common Ground,
This week, more eager learners explore Common Ground than at the height of the school year: summer campers and school teachers, Congresswoman and college interns, Green Jobs Corps and junior counselors.
All these people are drawn, at least in part, by the bounty of Common Ground's gardens. This month, the harvest starts in earnest, as a trickle of peas and greens gives way to a rush of colorful, tasty produce. Our urban farm bears other fruit, as well: opportunities to reflect on food policy, the fuel for business ventures, a playground for exploration and learning.
We hope that you will join us as we celebrate this harvest -- and mark a date at the far end of this growing season. On Saturday, October 2, Common Ground will host Feast from the Fields, our third annual celebration of sustainability, community, and the fall harvest. Save the date. |
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 Rosa DeLauro Visits Common GroundCongresswoman DeLauro arrived at Common Ground last week full of questions for our campers and students -- and with ideas about how to support healthy school food and sustainable agriculture. The top of the agenda: Increasing reimbursements for nutritious school meals, and easing the paperwork that keeps kids from accessing free lunch. See more. |
 Students Learn to Make Hard Choices Executive Director Reflections |
 Snapshots from Camp
Each day of the summer, a couple hundred eager kids descend on Common Ground for camp. They cook pizza from the garden, make art from found objects, build bird blinds and animal shelters, and go fishing at Lake Wintergreen. They are led, supported, and encouraged by a team of 50 staff -- including 25 teenagers, most of them students at Common Ground High School. Take a look at camp. |
Fulbright Teachers Return & Set Out Two Common Ground teachers take to the road at this month. Keith Lambert, one of 100 Fulbright Exchange Teachers nationally, will trade classrooms with a Hungarian teacher. Tricia Johnson -- as part of her third experience with Fulbright Japan -- just shared Common Ground's work related to Education for Sustainable Development during a week-long trip to Japan. Both are eager to share their lessons back at Common Ground. Check out Keith's Blog, and a photo album from Tricia's trip. |
 Save the Date: Feast from the Fields!
Great local chefs. Organic wine tastings. The peak harvest from Common Ground and local farms. Silent and live auctions (from food tours to Martha's Vineyard). Live music and theater. An incredible opportunity to support our work. All outside, on Common Ground beautiful site. Learn more, and save Saturday, Oct. 2nd (Tickets: $50). |
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Summer Camp Spaces Still Available!
Still eager for summer adventures and fun? We have a few spaces in upcoming camps: Sprouts (ages 4-5), Animal Adventures (ages 7-10), Farm to Feast (ages 8-12) and West Rock Rangers camp (ages 9-13). Learn more, and act fast! |
 Farmers Markets - Wednesdays, Sundays |
Seeking future leaders at Common Ground High School
Do you know a student who wants to change the world? Go to a high school that gets more than 95% of its students into college? Take classes where students start green businesses and work with professional actors? Common Ground may have a few spaces in its entering high school class. Learn more. |
| From Our Friends & Partners |
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In this growing season, many of Common Ground's partners are producing a rich crop of opportunities. We love that we live in a community where so many folks are creating a short path from farm, to kitchen, to table:
- Thanks to CitySeed, more neighborhoods are now how to great farmer's markets. Last weekend, markets opened up in Fair Haven and the Hill. Get a market schedule.
- You can read great seasonal recipes, stories about local farms and kitchen experiments, and an article on urban farms like Common Ground at a great new blog, Tagan's kitchen.
- Do you know kids who need free, nutritious food this summer? It's available, at locations all over the city, through the amazing culinary team at New Haven Public Schools. Learn more.
- Our partners at the CT Northeast Organic Farming Association are hosting a huge range of great learning opportunities this summer -- including a great farm and garden tour (August 7th), their summer conference (August 13th to 15th), and a whole series on organic land care (July 21st, August 3rd, August 8th). Learn more.
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Open Farm!
Every Saturday, from 10-2, we encourage members of the community to join us on our 20-acre site. Visit the animals. Explore West Rock. Ask a question about your garden. More. |
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