HOT Urban Gardening Coalition

PAST EVENTS – Aug 2010 and forward . . .

August 2010

• On-going: Brainstorm for year with UGC and Board
• On-going: Prepare for school garden clubs
• 8/14 (Sat) – Crop Mob at 1012 Houston St. 8am–12pm. Bring Tools.

• 8/14 (Sat) – Garden Demonstration at Family Fitness Fun Day at the YMCA. 12pm-5pm.
• 8/19 (Th) – Local Farmer Food Festival. 5pm-7pm. 3500 Franklin Ave.
• 8/19 (Th) – UGC Monthly Meeting. 6pm. Waco Central Library – 1717 Austin Ave.

• 8/21 (Sat) – Crop Mob at Columbus Avenue Community Garden – Jefferson & 12th St. Starting at 7:30am.  Call Trey Crumpton if you want to help! Cell (817) 706-7139.
• 8/23 (Mon) - Edible Lawns Investor Meeting – Common Grounds Coffee – 1123 S. 8th St. 6pm.  Call Lucas Land for more information, (254) 466-1710.

September

• On-going: School garden clubs.
• On-going: Start planning for MLK 2011.
• On-going: Planning for Downtown Farmers Market.
• 9/2 (Th): Local Farmer Food Festival. 5pm-7pm. 3500 Franklin Ave.

• 9/4 (Sat) – Crop Mob at Calvary Baptist Community Garden – 19th & Homan St. Starting at 9:00am. Call Ray Small if you want to help! Cell (847) 687-0148.

• 9/6 (Mon):  Sweet Sorghum Festival at Homestead Heritage – 608 Dry Creek Road.  10am – 5pm.

• 9/11 (Sat): Lake Shore Baptist Day of Service and Garden Work Day. 8:30am-12:30pm. 5801 Bishop Drive. Breakfast and Lunch will be provided. Call Charles Conkin for more information, (254) 772-2910.

• 9/11 (Sat): Butchering Workshop with Edible Lawns. 9-11am. 713 N. 15^th Street. Call Lucas Land for more information: (254) 466-1710.

• 9/13-14 (M/Tu): Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance Conference – in Austin, TX.
• 9/16 (Th): UGC Monthly Meeting. 6pm. Waco Central Library – 1717 Austin Ave.

• 9/21 (Tu):  Fall Foraging Workshop with Slow Food Austin. In Austin.  7:00-8:30pm.
• 9/23 (Th):  1st Fall MLK Organizational Meeting.  Baylor Student Union Building (the Bill Daniels Student Center – #25 on Campus Map) – Service-Learning Office (1st Floor).  6pm.

• 9/24-26 (F/Su): Renewable Energy Roundup and Green Living Fair – in Fredricksburg, TX.
• 9/26 (Su): Garden Interest Meeting at University Baptist Church. 12pm. 1701 Dutton Ave.
• UGC Board Meeting.

October

• On-going: School garden clubs.
• On-going: Planning for MLK 2011.
• On-going: Planning for Downtown Farmers Market.
• 10/2 (Sa): Crop Mob at Calvary Baptist Community Garden – 19th & Homan St. Starting at 9:00am. Call Ray Small if you want to help! Cell (847) 687-0148.

• 10/5 (Tu): Farmers Market State-wide Working Group in Austin. 10:30am – 3:30pm. Contact Bethel if you are interested in carpooling and learning more about farmers markets around TX.
• 10/8-10 (F/Su): Baylor’s Hungry for Justice Conference. Urban Gardening Break-out Session (on Saturday).
• 10/9 (Sa): Monthly Crop Mob at UGC-partner gardens throughout the city (Lake Shore Baptist, WHRI) – in conjunction with Baylor’s Hungry for Justice Conference. 3:00-5:00pm.
• 10/9 (Sat): “Urban Farming – the Ultimate Backyard Experience” – Schertz, TX. 8:00am-4:00pm.
• 10/14 (Th): Power of Prevention Coalition Meeting. 11:45am-1:00pm. Collins Street Bakery.
• 10/14 (Th): McLennan County Hunger Coalition Meeting. 11:45am-1:00pm. Caritas.
• 10/16-19 (Sa/Tu): Community Food Security Coalition Conference – in New Orleans, LA.
• 10/16-17 (Sa/Su): Ride for Relief. Bike ride around Texas to benefit WHRI.

• 10/17 (Su): Children’s Garden Fair. Carleen Bright Arboretum. 9001 Bosque Blvd. 2-5pm. Live music, worm composting, scavenger hunt and more – all FREE! Sponsored by McLennan County Master Gardeners.

• 10/23 (Sa): Here and There Interactive Art Show – hosted by Waco Arts Initiative and Project (254). 10:00am – 3:00pm. Common Grounds – 1123 S. 8th St. Support sustainability through the arts by making art and helping fundraiser for three local and three global organizations (including the Urban Gardening Coalition). Don’t miss out on the art auction, community mural, screen printing and portrait stations that will help benefit innovative economy in your neighborhood and around the world. Stick around for music by Ethan Durelle at 7 pm. Suggested donation $2, $4, $5. For a flyer, click here: Here and There Interactive Art Show.

• 10/28 (Th): UGC Monthly Meeting. 6pm. Mayborn Museum. 1300 University Parks Dr.

• 10/30 (Sa): Better Block Project. 10:00am-5:00pm (and later!) In the streets of Colcord and N. 15th. The Better Block Project is similar to one in Dallas Oak Cliff. The streets will be filled with vendors, activities, newly painted buildings, etc. to promote economic development and a revitalized neighborhood. The Urban Gardening Coalition and World Hunger Relief Farm will be hosting farm stands – if interested in selling produce from your garden, please contact Katherine Moncrief at WHRI (urbangardening@worldhungerrelief.org or 799-5611) – or tell Bethel.

• 10/30 (Sa): Straw Bale Open House (in McGregor). 2-6pm. Building demonstrations, refreshments and live music.

• 10/30 (Sa): Baylor’s Steppin Out Community Service Day at Lake Shore Baptist Garden and Midway Intermediary Green Classroom.

November

• On-going: School garden clubs.
• On-going: Planning for MLK 2011.
• On-going: Planning for Downtown Farmers Market.
• 11/6 (Sa): Fall Farm Day at World Hunger Relief Farm. 9am-4pm.
• 11/6 (Sa): Crop Mob at Calvary Baptist Community Garden – 19th & Homan St. Starting at 9:00am. Call Ray Small if you want to help! Cell (847) 687-0148.

• 11/14-20 (Su-Sa): National Hunger and Homeless Awareness Week in Waco – sponsored by the McLennan County Hunger Coalition and the Heart of Texas Homeless Coalition.

• 11/18 (Th): MLK Day Planning Meeting. 9am. Baylor Service Learning Office. Hammering out the details for the day. Meeting for organizers – however, if you’re interested in attending and available, RSVP to Bethel (vista@worldhungerrelief.org).

• 11/18 (Th): UGC Monthly Meeting. 6pm. At the Mayborn Museum – 1300 S. University Parks Drive. Ask to be directed towards the Community Room in the Discovery Center Wing – that’s where we’ll be!

• 11/26-28 (Fr-Su): Homestead Heritage’s Fall Craft Fair. 9am-9pm. Explore the Homestead and its many workshops for candlemaking, soapmaking, leathercrafting and more.

• UGC Board Meeting.

December

• On-going: School garden clubs.
• On-going: Planning for MLK 2011.
• On-going: Planning for Downtown Farmers Market.

• 12/1-2 (Wed-Th): Farmers Market Workshop hosted by the Heart of Texas Workforce Development. Register online here.

• 12/3 (Fr): Foxfire Friday – Soapmaking with Jessica Bullock. 5pm. At Hope Fellowship – 1721 Sanger Ave. Participants will learn hands-on how to make soap their own homes. Please RSVP your attendance to Bethel Erickson (vista@worldhungerrelief.org).
• 12/4 (Sa): Groundbreaking at the Hewitt Community Garden. 10am-2pm. 600 S. First St, Hewitt. Bring a shovel and a strong back and help double-dig some garden beds!
• 12/4 (Sa): Crop Mob at Calvary Baptist Community Garden – 19th & Homan St. Starting at 9:00am. Call Ray Small if you want to help! Cell (847) 687-0148.
• 12/4-11 (Sa-Sa): Edible Austin’s Eat Local Week benefiting Urban Roots. Edible Austin Eat Local Week will kick off on December 4 at the Austin Farmers’ Market with the City of Austin’s proclamation and with support from other Central Texas communities. Check website to see a growing list of participating restaurants and markets, featuring locally-sourced entrées and locally-made products. Events include: an Edible Book night at Book People, Urban Farm Bicycle Tour, Drink Local Coffee Night, and more!

• 12/16 (Th): UGC Monthly Meeting. 6pm. At the Mayborn Museum – 1300 S. University Parks Drive. Ask to be directed towards the Community Room in the Discovery Center Wing – that’s where we’ll be!
• 12/18 (Sa): Garden Work Day at the Hewitt Community Garden. 600 S. First St, Hewitt. Finish building raised beds, mulching pathways and turning compost in preparation for the MLK Day of Service.

January

• On-going: School garden clubs.
• On-going: Planning for MLK 2011.
• On-going: Planning for Downtown Farmers Market.
• 1/6 (Th): Last MLK planning meeting before MLK Day of Service.
• 1/8 (Sa): Beyond the Backyard Garden Workshop: Planting a Winter Garden (Special MLK growing edition). 10am-12pm. At the World Hunger Relief Farm – 356 Spring Lake Road.  To register, contact Bethel Erickson (vista@worldhungerrelief.org).
• 1/8 (Sa): Keep Waco Beautiful’s Chipping of the Greens. At the Paul Tyson Field Parking Lot, on Lake Air Drive, just past the horse barn area of the Coliseum. 10:00am – 3:00pm. Recycle your old Christmas greens.
• 1/17 (M): MLK Day of Service. 12-3pm. At Gardens around the City (see website for complete listing of gardens and activities). To register to volunteer, fill out the registration form at the Baylor Campus Kitchens MLK website and select which site you would like to volunteer for.  Contact Bethel (vista@worldhungerrelief.org) for more information.
• 1/20 (Th): UGC Monthly Meeting/MLK review meeting. 6pm. At the Mayborn Museum – 1300 S. University Parks Drive. Ask to be directed towards the Community Room in the Discovery Center Wing – that’s where we’ll be!
• 1/28-30 (F/Su): Texas Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association Conference – Killeen, TX.
• 1/28 (F): Foxfire Friday – Rootbeer and Ginger Ale Brewing with Gabe the Lost Boy. 5pm. At Hope Fellowship – 1721 Sanger Ave (the big green house!) Participants will learn hands-on how to make rootbeer and ginger ale in their own homes. Please RSVP your attendance to Bethel Erickson (vista@worldhungerrelief.org).

February

• On-going: School garden clubs.
• 2/3 (Th): Seeding Indoors at Cottages Retirement Gardens.
• 2/5 (Sa): Crop Mob at Calvary Baptist Community Garden – 19th & Homan St. Starting at 9:00am. Call Ray Small if you want to help! Cell (847) 687-0148.
• 2/5 (Sa): Waco’s 1^st Annual Health Improvement Event. 9Am – 6pm. At the Waco Hilton. UGC will be a vendor, promoting natural lifestyles alongside a number of other local businesses.

• 2/15 (Tu): Power of Prevention Meeting at the Public Health District – 225 W. Waco Dr. 11:45am – 1:00pm. Bring your own lunch. For more information contact, Ashley Williams (AshleyW@ci.waco.tx.us).
• 2/15 (Tu):  Farmers Market Permit Ordinance Public Hearing before the City Council.  6pm.  At the City Operations Building – 1415 N 4^th Street. For more information, contact Felix Landry (Waco City Planner) at FelixL@ci.waco.tx.us.
• 2/17 (Th): UGC Monthly Meeting. UGC Board/Officer Elections. 6pm. At the Mayborn Museum – 1300 S. University Parks Drive. Ask to be directed towards the Community Room in the Discovery Center Wing – that’s where we’ll be!
• 2/18 (Fr): Foxfire Friday – Dairy Madness! 5pm. At Hope Fellowship – 1721 Sanger Ave (the big green house!) Learn how to make yogurt and a simple quick cheese.
• 2/26 (Sa): Beyond the Backyard Garden Workshop. Rainwater Harvesting with Mary Lou (she has 30 rain barrels in her backyard!) 10am-12pm. This workshop is FULL – we’ll try to arrange another rainwater workshop in the Fall.

• 2/26 (Sa): Herb Container Workshop at Bonnie’s Greenhouse. 10am-12pm. Workshop includes container, soil, plants, and handouts. Workshop costs $40. Call to register as class size is limited. (254) 799-7909

March

• On-going: School garden clubs.
• On-going: Planning Harvest Celebration. Promote UG Scholarship.

• 3/5 (Sa): Sedum Container Workshop at Bonnie’s Greenhouse. 10am-12pm. Workshop includes container, soil, plants, and handouts. Workshop costs $40. Call to register as class size is limited. (254) 799-7909

• 3/5 (Sa): Crop Mob at Calvary Baptist Community Garden – 19th & Homan St. Starting at 9:00am. Call Ray Small if you want to help! Cell (847) 687-0148.

• 3/10 (Th): Mike Shoup from the Antique Rose Emporium will be speaking at Bonnie’s Greenhouse. 2pm. Workshop is free. For more information, call Sandra at (254) 799-7909

• 3/12 (Sa): Beyond the Backyard Garden Workshop. Garden Bed Preparation – Methods (including No-till) and Hands-on Digging (learn how to work with a rototiller, build a no-dig bed, double-dig – all in Bethel’s Wedding Garden Patch.) 10am-12pm. At the World Hunger Relief Farm – 356 Spring Lake Road. Potluck to follow.

• 3/17 (Th): Monthly UGC Meeting. Plan Global Youth Service Day/Harvest Celebration. 6pm. At the Mayborn Museum – 1300 S. University Parks Drive. Ask to be directed towards the Community Room in the Discovery Center Wing – that’s where we’ll be!
• 3/18 (Fr): Foxfire Friday – Herbs! 5pm. At Hope Fellowship – 1721 Sanger Ave (the big green/gray house!) Learn how to make herbal salves and tinctures as well as which herbs are good for what. Led by Elise Voyvodic.

• 3/19 (Sa): Habitat for Humanity Garden Dig. 9am-12pm. The Urban Gardening Coalition is partnering with Habitat for Humanity for our first Habitat Dig – installing a garden with new Habitat homeowners. Please consider donating tools or time to help us install the garden! At the home of the Gutierrez–de la Fuente family.
• 3/19 (Sa):  Waco Mushroom Collective.  3pm at the World Hunger Relief Farm. For those interested in discussing the logistics behind small home consumption or possibly bridging into commercial production.  We’ll chat with a local spawn producer and design upcoming gatherings to distribute the goods.  Please RSVP your attendance to Neil R. Miller – neil@worldhungerrelief.org.

April

• On-going: School garden clubs.
• On-going: Planning Harvest Celebration.
• 4/1 (Fr): Family Herbalist Course. Hosted by the Waco Herb Pharm. Pre-registration is a must as space is limited. A 3-month course for the herbal health of your family.
• 4/2 (Sa): Spring Farm Day at the World Hunger Relief Farm. 9am-4pm. Farm tours, hayrack rides, milking demonstrations, local vendors, music, and speaker – Bethel Erickson! Come and enjoy fun for the whole family.
• 4/6 (We): Harvest Celebration planning meeting. 9am. Cafe Cappucino – 100 N. 6^th Street. Join as we wrap up planning for the Harvest Celebration.
• 4/9 (Sa): Garden Groundbreaking/Beyond the Backyard Workshop: Double-digging Revisited. Please join us at St. Luke’s AME in East Waco for their garden groundbreaking – using the double-digging method of bed preparation. 11am-1pm (note time shift). 117 E. Church St. Please RSVP your participation to Bethel (vista@worldhungerrelief.org). Steppin Out volunteers will also be helping!
• 4/9 (Sa): Baylor’s Steppin Out Community Service Day. 11am-3pm. Contact Drew Vincent (drew_vincent@baylor.edu) to have Baylor volunteers come to your garden to help with major weeding, seeding or other projects.
• 4/15 (F): Harvest Celebration (as part of the Global Youth Day of Service). 3:30-5:00pm. At Lake Shore Baptist Church and Garden. 5801 Bishop Drive. Celebrate youth and their work in gardens around town! Bring your whole family to garden activities with the Master Composters, cooking demonstrations, art activities, Zumba!, canned food sculptures, and good food from the garden! Contact Bethel Erickson for more information on volunteering and participating – vista@worldhungerrelief.org.
• 4/16 (Sa): Beasts and Blooms at the Cameron Park Zoo. Join UGC and many other community partners in celebrating Earth Day at the Zoo! Lots of good info and activities. 9am-5pm.
• 4/21 (Th): UGC Monthly Meeting. 6pm. At the Mayborn Museum – 1300 S. University Parks Drive. Ask to be directed towards the Community Room in the Discovery Center Wing – that’s where we’ll be!
• 4/23 (Sa): Funky Chicken Coop Tour in Austin. Check it out. Carpool with friends.
• 4/29 (Fr): Spring Onto Summer Food Drive – “Hunger doesn’t take a Summer Vacation.” Coordinated by the McLennan County Hunger Coalition and local food pantries. For additional information contact: shepherds.heart@yahoo.com
• 4/29 (Fr): Foxfire Friday – Kombucha. 5pm at Hope Fellowship – 1721 Sanger Ave. (the big blue-green-gray house)  Learn how to ferment tea for a delicious, refreshing, and sparkling beverage adventure. Samples will be provided (including Bethel’s famous blueberry bucha) – and mother scobies will be available for donation. Led by Bethel. Please RSVP your attendance to Bethel – vista@worldhungerrelief.org.

May

• On-going: School garden clubs.5/1 (Sa): 2^ndAnnual Austin Community Garden Tour. 10Am – 4pm. Please join the Coalition of Austin Community Gardens and Sustainable Food Center in celebrating the growing number of community gardens in Austin. The Community Garden Tour is a free open house style garden tour where you can visit each of these unique places, talk to the gardeners there, learn how to get involved, and maybe even get inspired to start your own.

• 5/13 (Fr):  Urban Gardening Scholarship Applications are due.  Please submit all applications to Bethel.
• 5/14 (Sa):  Heart of Texas Farmers Market.  7am-2pm.  At the Extraco Events Center/HOT Fairgrounds parking lot.  Open Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.  May – September.
• 5/14 (Sa): Beyond the Backyard Garden Workshop. Composting Basics.  10am-12pm.  at the World Hunger Relief Farm.  Join us to learn more about composing – both in your backyard and with worms. Led by the Heart of Texas Master Composters.

• 5/19 (Th): UGC Monthly Meeting. 6pm. At the Mayborn Museum – 1300 S. University Parks Drive. Ask to be directed towards the Community Room in the Discovery Center Wing – that’s where we’ll be!
• 5/21 (Sa):  Heart of Texas Farmers Market.  7am-2pm.  At the Extraco Events Center/HOT Fairgrounds parking lot.  Open Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.  May – September.

• 5/21 (Sa):  Master Gardeners Plant Sale.  9am-3pm.  4605 W. Waco Dr (in the vacant lot by Mocek’s TV).
• 5/25 (We):  MLK Planning Meeting at Cafe Cappucino (100 N. 6th St).  9am-10am.  Join us as partners start discussing MLK Day 2012.
• 5/27 (Fr): Foxfire Friday – Canning and Preserving. 5-7pm. At Hope Fellowship – 1721 Sanger Ave. (the big green/gray house!) Learn how to preserve some basic foods – to extend all those lovely things you grow into seasons beyond their time. Led by Mary Hudson. Please RSVP your attendance to Bethel – vista@worldhungerrelief.org.
• 5/28  (Sa):  Heart of Texas Farmers Market.  7am-2pm.  At the Extraco Events Center/HOT Fairgrounds parking lot.  Open Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.  May – September.

• 5/28 (Sa):  Health Fair at Bledsoe Miller.  9am-1pm.  UGC is partnering with the Grandparents as Parents Program at the Methodist Children’s Home for a booth.

• 5/28 (Sa): Garlic Festival at Vanderpool Gourmet Gardens. 2pm-9pm. 1973 Old Ranch Road, China Spring. Enjoy samples of numerous varieties of heirloom garlic, listen to local music, and learn more about growing garlic.

• CANCELLED (Sorry!)  Foxfire Friday - Wild Foraging around Waco. Led by Gabe (Root Beer Workshop) – identifying wild edibles that can be foraged around the city. Bring your own knowledge of what can be identified and how to harvest and use wild edibles.

June

• On-going: Start summer school garden clubs.
• On-going: Planning Summer Youth Employment.
• 6/5-12:  Waco Mushroom Collective Mushroom Kit Sale.  Out at the World Hunger Relief Farm.  Call WHRI (254-799-5611) or email Neil (neil@worldhungerrelief.org) for more details or to reserve your kit today!
• 6/7 (Tu):  Community Garden Tour with Coryell County Extension Agents.  Starting at the MHMR Garden at 1:30pm and continuing on to the St. Luke’s AME Garden, Baylor Campus Garden, and Hewitt Community Garden.  Contact Bethel for more inforamtion.
• 6/14 (Tu):  Downtown Farmers Market Meeting.  2:30pm at the Waco Chamber of Commerce.  Join us in discussing the next steps and directions for re-locating/ramping up  a market in Downtown Waco.  We need your voice!
• 6/16 (Th): UGC Monthly Meeting and Year-End Community Potluck in the Park. 6pm at Cameron Park (at Lovers Leap – take Park Lake towards the river).  Rather than having a traditional meeting, we’ll gather and eat and enjoy one another’s company – and award one HS senior or college student with the Urban Gardening Scholarship.  Please RSVP your attendance to Bethel.
• 6/17 (Fr):  Foxfire Friday -DIY Household Cleaners and Personal Care Potluck. 6:00-8:00pm (note time change!) Join us to discuss creative ways to make laundry detergent, dish soap, window cleaner – and even items like deodorant, shampoo, etc. Bring your own recipes and learn from those who’ve been saving money be making their own. Workshop will be lead by a variety of folks – so bring recipes and ingredients and be prepared to swap.  Please RSVP your attendance to Bethel.

August 2011

• 8/18 (Th):  August Monthly Meeting.  6pm.  Brazos River Plaza Community Room – 715 Elm St, East Waco.  Join us for our monthly meeting – to discuss all things gardening in the Heart of Texas.
• 8/19 (Fr):  Waco Time Exchange Potluck and Orientation.  6:30-8:00pm. At 922 Franklin Avenue.  This orientation will cover how to register and navigate the online time bank application. Bring a potluck meal or beverage to share.  For more information, contact Fernando Arroyo at 254-307-1728 or email wacotimeexchange@gmail.com.  (What is a time bank: At its most basic level, time banking is simply about spending an hour doing something for somebody in your community.
• 8/20 (Sa):  Beyond the Backyard Garden Workshop. 10am-12pm. School Gardening. Come share lessons and stories of what has and hasn’t worked with kids in the garden. Or come learn about different lessons to engage young folks in the garden.  Suggested $5-10 donation for attending.  And please bring a potluck dish for a meal afterwards.  Location:  1526 N. 11^th Street (at the corner of 11^th & Indiana – one block off Colcord).  Please RSVP your attendance to Bethel – ugcbethel@gmail.com.
• CANCELLED 8/30 (Tu):  Bed Building at the UGC Training Farm in North Waco.  3:00-5:00pm (yes – it’s hot! Bring water!) Volunteers from Baylor’s Greek Life will be volunteering to start prepping the land for our North Waco Training Farm.  The Training Farm is located at the corner of 11^th Street and West Ave. – it’s an acre vacant lot – can’t miss it.
• 8/31 (Wed):  Breakfast at the Baylor Campus Garden.  8:00am. Join Baylor Campus Kitchens and the Garden Crew for coffee, juice, and bagels – as Aramark presents BUCK with a large paper check.  Garden located at the corner of 9^th and James.
• Foxfire Friday

September 2011

• 9/9-11 (Fr-Su):  A Place at the Table – Service and Reflection at Lake Shore Baptist Church.  The Urban Gardening Coalition will be participating in events at LSBC.
• 9/11-13 (Su-Tu):  Farm & Food Leadership Conference.  San Antonio, Texas.  Learn about the latest developments in agriculture and food, and get the tools you need to help make a difference, at this 5th annual conference.
• 9/15 (Th):  September Monthly Meeting.  6pm.  Brazos River Plaza Community Room – 715 Elm St, East Waco.  Join us for our monthly meeting – to discuss all things gardening in the Heart of Texas.
• 9/17 (Sa):  Beyond the Backyard Garden Workshop.  Backyard Chicken Raising.  10:00am-12:00pm.  At the UGC Headquarters – 1526 N. 11th Street.  In this workshop, we’ll be discussing basic chicken health, coop design, chicken-keeping regulations, and other fun facts about keeping chickens in the city.  Suggested $5-10 donation for attending.  And please bring a potluck dish for a meal afterwards.  Location:  1526 N. 11^th Street (at the corner of 11^th & Indiana – one block off Colcord).  Please RSVP your attendance to Bethel – ugcbethel@gmail.com.
• 9/21 (We):  McLennan County Master Gardener Open House!  2-4pm at the Texas Agri-Life Extension Offices – 420 N. 6th Street.  Join the Master Gardeners as they celebrate 15 years in McLennan County!
• 9/25 (Su):  Greenhorn Documentary showing at Tierra Madre Farm in Austin.  6:00pm potluck, followed by 7:30pm documentary showing. If interested in Carpooling, let Bethel know!

October 2011

• POSTPONED – 10/15 (Sa):  Beyond the Backyard Garden Workshop.  Home Chicken Harvesting.  10:00am-12:00pm.  At the UGC headquarters – 1526 N. 11th Street.  A follow-up to Backyard Chicken Raising, except this time you’ll learn the basics of “harvesting” your chicken crop at home.  This is a great workshop if you raised your own chicks and discovered a pesky rooster in the mix – and your stew pot is calling.  Be prepared for some hands-on experience.  Suggested $5-10 donation for attending.  And please bring a potluck dish for a meal afterwards.  Location:  1526 N. 11^th Street (at the corner of 11^th & Indiana – one block off Colcord).  Please RSVP your attendance to Bethel – ugcbethel@gmail.com.
• 10/16 (Su).  Children’s Garden Fair at the Carleen Bright Arboretum.  2-5pm.  Hosted by the McLennan County Master Gardeners.  All sorts of kid’s gardening activities!  Bring the family!
• 10/20 (Th):  October Monthly Meeting.  6pm.  Brazos River Plaza Community Room – 715 Elm St, East Waco.  Join us for our monthly meeting – to discuss all things gardening in the Heart of Texas.
• 10/21 (Fr):  Waco Time Exchange Community Potluck.  6:30pm.  In the front yard of WTX organizer, Fernando Arroyo – 2325 Parrott Ave.  Please bring a dish and find out more ways to build community through trading skills.
• 10/22 (Sa):  Calvary Community Garden:  Bed-building and Irrigation installation.  8am – until finish.  At Calvary Baptist Church – 18th & Homan & Bosque.  Join the Calvary Community Gardeners as they expand from 3 raised beds – to 20!  All skill levels are needed – especially if you have experience working with drip irrigation.  For more information, contact Pastor Jim Coston, jcoston@cbcwaco.com
• 10/22 (Sa):  Keep Waco Beautiful’s Compost and Mulch Sale.  9am-1pm.  In the Cameron Park Zoo’s Overflow Parking Lot.
• 10/22 (Sa):  School Gardening Conference (Austin):  Get Growing and Keep Going!  All day conference on school gardening hosted by the Austin School Gardening Network.  Registration is $30 and well worth all the resources and knowledge you’ll gather.
• 10/24-26(M-We):  Youth Service America’s Youth Service Institute in Philadelphia.  Jonathan and Bethel will be in Philadelphia for the week, networking with other folks and visiting urban farm and garden projects.
• 10/24 (Mo):  World Food Day.  Local events in conjunction with the McLennan County Hunger Coalition and the Food Planning Association.
• 10/29 (Sa):  Fall Farm Day at the World Hunger Relief Farm.  9am-4pm.
• 10/29 (Sa):  Baylor’s Steppin Out Community Service Day.  Plan a community garden work day – and get some extra help on major garden projects (like building a 4-bin pallet compost system or digging new garden beds or whatever).

November 2011

• 11/6 (Su):  Waco Downtown Farmers Market 1st Vendor Meeting.  2pm.  At the site of the WDFM – 400 S. University Parks Drive.
• 11/10 (Th):  Lights on After-School Event.  6-7:30pm at University High School.  This event will highlight the numerous after-school programs around Waco – including after-school garden clubs.  The George E. Wolfe, Jr., Memorial Urban Gardening Scholarship will also be awarded as part of the formal ceremony.
• 11/11 (Fr):  Waco Downtown Farmers Market Secret Chef Fundraiser Dinner.  Invitation only.
• 11/15 (Tu):  The Future of Efficient Water Use in Waco (Workshop).  10am-12pm.  At the South Waco Community Center – 2815 Speight.  Anyone concerned with water use (especially agriculturally) should attend this workshop.  Free and open to the public.  For more details and to find out who is presenting:  Waco Water Workshop.
• 11/12-20:  National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week.  Stay Tuned for many upcoming events that highlight what is being done in our community to overcome issues of hunger and homelessness – including a celebration of local food at the Downtown Farmers Market on Saturday, the 19th.
• 11/17 (Th): November Monthly Meeting.  6pm.  Brazos River Plaza Community Room – 715 Elm St, East Waco.  Join us for our monthly meeting – to discuss all things gardening in the Heart of Texas.
• 11/19 (Sa):  Waco Downtown Farmers Market Kick-Off!!!!  9am – 1pm.  Celebrate with the community as we kick-off the opening of the Waco Downtown Farmers Market.  400 S. University Parks Drive.  The WDFM will take place every Saturday from 9am -1pm.  And feature local agricultural producers and handmade goodness.
• 11/25-27 (Fr-Su):  Homestead Heritage’s Fall Craft Fair. 9am-9pm. Explore the Homestead and its many workshops for candlemaking, soapmaking, leathercrafting and more.  Cost:  pay for parking (or ride your bike for free!)
• 11/26 (Sa):  Waco Downtown Farmers Market.  9am – 1pm. 400 S. University Parks Drive.  Every Saturday.  And feature local agricultural producers and handmade goodness.
• 11/28 (Mo):  MLK Day Planning Meeting.  9am.  At World Cup Cafe – 1321 N. 15th.

December 2011

• 12/3 (Sa):Waco Downtown Farmers Market.  9am – 1pm. 400 S. University Parks Drive.  Every Saturday.  And feature local agricultural producers and handmade goodness.
• 12/10 (Sa):  Waco Downtown Farmers Market.  9am – 1pm. 400 S. University Parks Drive.  Every Saturday.  And feature local agricultural producers and handmade goodness.
• THERE SHALL BE NO DECEMBER MONTHLY Meeting!  Please join us for the Benefit Concert at Common Grounds!
• 12/16 (Fr):  UGC Benefit Concert at Common Grounds.  2-8pm.  1123 S. 8th Street (near Baylor Campus).  Come enjoy a cup of hot coffee or hot chocolate, listen to some seasonal tunes, and wear your favorite winter Christmas sweater (Bethel may be planning an ugly Christmas sweater contest) – and SUPPORT THE URBAN GARDENING COALITION this holiday season!!!  All proceeds will support our after-school garden programs and efforts to establish the North Waco Training Farm.
• 12/16 (Fr):  Foxfire Friday – Knitting!  6pm.  At Common Grounds (see event above).  Why not combine two great events into one?!  Come and knit with us while we listen to local music and celebrate the coming holidays!  All are invited – those who know how to knit and those interested in learning.  Please bring your extra/unwanted yarn to share/swap with others.  And needles as well.
• 12/17 (Sa):  Waco Downtown Farmers Market.  9am – 1pm. 400 S. University Parks Drive.  Every Saturday.  And feature local agricultural producers and handmade goodness.

January 2012

• 1/7 (Sa):  Waco Downtown Farmers Market.  9am – 1pm. 400 S. University Parks Drive.  Every Saturday.  And feature local agricultural producers and handmade goodness.  Featured community organization:  Animal Birth Control Clinic.
• 1/7 (Sa):  Winter Vegetable Gardening Workshop.  10am-12pm.  At the World Hunger Relief Farm – 356 Spring Lake Road.  Although this workshop is specifically designed to train folks helping in gardens across Waco on the 2012 MLK Day of Service, we invite the rest of the community to learn more about planting winter crops and season extension.  Register for the Workshop via Eventbrite.
• 1/7 (Sa):  Chipping of the Greens – hosted by Keep Waco Beautiful.  10am-3pm.  At the Paul Tyson Field Parking Lot – on Lake Air Drive (just past the horse barn area of the Coliseum).  Bring your fresh Christmas Tree and have it recycled into a bag of fresh mulch for your garden – and receive a bonus native Texas sapling.
• 1/9 (Mo):  Final MLK Day Partner and Garden Meeting.  9am.  World Cup Cafe – 1321 N. 15th Street.  Join us for a cup of coffee as we hammer out the last of the details for the MLK Day of Service!
• 1/14 (Sa):  Waco Downtown Farmers Market.  9am – 1pm. 400 S. University Parks Drive.  Every Saturday.  And feature local agricultural producers and handmade goodness.  Featured Community Organization:  McLennan County Master Gardeners!
• 1/14 (Sa):  Garden Work Day at the Calvary Community Garden (corner of 19th and Homan – in North Waco).  The Calvary Community Gardeners will be prepping the land for the MLK Day of Service – digging trenches and adding soil and compost to their garden beds before the big planting day on the 16th.  If you want to lend a hand, please contact Jim Coston – jcoston@cbcwaco.com
• 1/16 (Mo):  MLK Day of Service in the Garden!  12pm-3pm at gardens are the Waco area!  Join us in a garden near you to share a meal and serve your community.  For more details and a complete listing of the garden sites, click here.  To register yourself, your friends, and your families – visit the UGC’s Eventbrite page.
• 1/19 (Th):  UGC Monthly Meeting.  6pm.  Brazos River Plaza Community Room – 715 Elm St, East Waco.  Join us for our monthly meeting – to discuss all things gardening in the Heart of Texas – and especially to recap all the happenings on MLK Day.
• 1/21 (Sa):  Waco Downtown Farmers Market.  9am – 1pm. 400 S. University Parks Drive.  Every Saturday.  And feature local agricultural producers and handmade goodness.
• 1/27 (Fr):  Foxfire Friday – Soap Making.  6pm.  At UGC Headquarters – 1526 N. 11th Street.  Come learn how to make soap with goat’s milk, beeswax – and just plain old castile.  Participants will learn hands-on how to make one batch of soap.   Limited to 20 participants – so register now on Eventbrite!
• 1/28 (Sa):  Waco Downtown Farmers Market.  9am – 1pm. 400 S. University Parks Drive.  Every Saturday.  And feature local agricultural producers and handmade goodness.  Featured Community Organization:  Family Abuse Center!
• 1/28 (Sa):  Texas School Health Association’s Annual Conference (Austin).  Bethel Erickson-Bruce and Jessica Theimer (Agri-Life Extension) will be leading a workshop at 11am on school gardening and parent engagement.

February 2012

• 2/4 (Sa):  Waco Downtown Farmers Market.  9am – 1pm. 400 S. University Parks Drive.  Every Saturday.  And feature local agricultural producers and handmade goodness.  Featured Community Organization:  Good Neighbor House!
• 2/11 (Sa):  Waco Downtown Farmers Market.  9am – 1pm. 400 S. University Parks Drive.  Every Saturday.  And feature local agricultural producers and handmade goodness.  Featured Community Organization:  McLennan County Master Gardeners – presenting 2 mini-workshops on rose pruning!
• 2/16 (Th):  UGC Monthly Meeting.  6pm.  Brazos River Plaza Community Room – 715 Elm St, East Waco.  Join us for our monthly meeting – to discuss all things gardening in the Heart of Texas.  We will also electing new Board members at the this meeting.
• 2/17-19 (Fr-Su):  Texas Organic Farmers and Growers Association Annual Conference (Mesquite, TX).
• 2/18 (Sa):  Waco Downtown Farmers Market.  9am – 1pm. 400 S. University Parks Drive.  Every Saturday.  And feature local agricultural producers and handmade goodness.  Featured Community Organization:  Big Brothers, Big Sisters!
• 2/18 (Sa):  TSTC Vegetable Gardening Workshop - Part 1.  Classes held 9am to noon. Registration deadline is February 11*.  (Registration and advanced payment is required).  Register at www.waco.tstc.edu/continuinged or contact Tammy Turner at (254)867-3062 to find out more information.
• 2/25 (Sa):  Waco Downtown Farmers Market.  9am – 1pm. 400 S. University Parks Drive.  Every Saturday.  And feature local agricultural producers and handmade goodness.  Featured Community Organization: Straw to Bread (Kenya) – and special music from local musician Holly Tucker!
• 2/25 (Sa):  TSTC Vegetable Gardening Workshop - Part 2.  Classes held 9am to noon. Contact Tammy Turner at (254)867-3062 to find out more information.

March 2012

• 3/3 (Sa):  Waco Downtown Farmers Market.  9am – 1pm. 400 S. University Parks Drive.  Every Saturday.  And feature local agricultural producers and handmade goodness.  Featured Community Organization:  Family Abuse Center!
• 3/2 (Sa): TSTC Vegetable Gardening Workshop - Part 3.  Classes held 9am to noon. Contact Tammy Turner at (254)867-3062 to find out more information.
• 3/10 (Sa):  Waco Downtown Farmers Market.  9am – 1pm. 400 S. University Parks Drive.  Every Saturday.  And feature local agricultural producers and handmade goodness.
• 3/10 (Sa): TSTC Vegetable Gardening Workshop - Part 4.  Classes held 9am to noon. Contact Tammy Turner at (254)867-3062 to find out more information.
• 3/12-16 (Mo-Fr):  Waco ISD Spring Break.
• 3/17 (Sa):  Waco Downtown Farmers Market.  9am – 1pm. 400 S. University Parks Drive.  Every Saturday.  And feature local agricultural producers and handmade goodness.
• 3/22 (Th):  UGC Monthly Meeting.  6pm.  Brazos River Plaza Community Room – 715 Elm St, East Waco.  Join us for our monthly meeting – to discuss all things gardening in the Heart of Texas.
• 3/24 (Sa):  Waco Downtown Farmers Market.  9am – 1pm. 400 S. University Parks Drive.  Every Saturday.  And feature local agricultural producers and handmade goodness.  Featured Community Organization:  Straw to Bread (Kenya)!
• 3/31 (Sa):  Waco Downtown Farmers Market.  9am – 1pm. 400 S. University Parks Drive.  Every Saturday.  And feature local agricultural producers and handmade goodness.  Featured Community Organization:  McLennan County Health Department and Fun Run!

April 2012

• 4/7 (Sa):  Waco Downtown Farmers Market.  9am – 1pm. 400 S. University Parks Drive.  Every Saturday.  And feature local agricultural producers and handmade goodness.
• 4/14 (Sa):  Waco Downtown Farmers Market.  9am – 1pm. 400 S. University Parks Drive.  Every Saturday.  And feature local agricultural producers and handmade goodness.
• 4/19 (Th): UGC Monthly Meeting.  6pm.  Brazos River Plaza Community Room – 715 Elm St, East Waco.  Join us for our monthly meeting – to discuss all things gardening in the Heart of Texas.
• 4/20-22 (Fr-Su):  Global Youth Service Day.
• 4/21 (Sa):  Waco Downtown Farmers Market.  9am – 1pm. 400 S. University Parks Drive.  Every Saturday.  And feature local agricultural producers and handmade goodness.
• 4/28 (Sa):  Waco Downtown Farmers Market.  9am – 1pm. 400 S. University Parks Drive.  Every Saturday.  And feature local agricultural producers and handmade goodness.

May 2012

• 5/4 (Fr):  Foxfire Friday:  Dumpster Diving.  6pm.  Meet in the Common Grounds parking lot.  Find a friend with a truck – or very large trunk space – and learn the art of dumpster diving (as well as helping to recover office supplies for the UGC and donate other reclaimed products that still have life).
• 5/5 (Sa):  Waco Downtown Farmers Market.  9am – 1pm. 400 S. University Parks Drive.  Every Saturday.  And feature local agricultural producers and handmade goodness.
• 5/12 (Sa):  Waco Downtown Farmers Market.  9am – 1pm. 400 S. University Parks Drive.  Every Saturday.  And feature local agricultural producers and handmade goodness.
• 5/17 (Th):  UGC Monthly Meeting.  6pm.  Brazos River Plaza Community Room – 715 Elm St, East Waco.  Join us for our monthly meeting – to discuss all things gardening in the Heart of Texas.
• 5/19 (Sa):  Waco Downtown Farmers Market.  9am – 1pm. 400 S. University Parks Drive.  Every Saturday.  And feature local agricultural producers and handmade goodness.
• 5/26 (Sa):  Waco Downtown Farmers Market.  9am – 1pm. 400 S. University Parks Drive.  Every Saturday.  And feature local agricultural producers and handmade goodness.