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Learn how to save seeds for next year’s food garden

May16

“Seed is the first link in the food chain. Seed is the ultimate symbol of food security. Free exchange of seed among farmers has been the basis of maintaining biodiversity as well as food security. This exchange is based on cooperation and reciprocity.”From Seed Freedom: A Global Citizens Report,coordinated by Navdanya

1236462_657749657569146_1000651918_nOur Kitchen Table food garden coaches will facilitate a free workshop “How to Save Seeds,” 6 to 8 p.m. Monday May 23 at Garfield Lodge, 334 Burton St. SE, Grand Rapids MI 49507.

The workshop will address the importance of saving seeds and methods for saving different varieties. Participants will will not only learn a variety of ways to save seeds but will also discuss the importance of non-GMO/heirloom seeds.

This is the fourth in a series of four food gardening classes that OKT is offering this year. The series will repeat, same time, same place, in June as follows:

  • June 6: How to Plan Your Food Garden 1
  •  June 13: How to Plan Your Food Garden 2
  •  June 20: Composting & Vermiculture
  • June 27: How to Save Seeds

Free composting class Monday May 16!

May13

compostlogo2On Monday May 16, OKT is hosting a free Composting and Vermiculture class from 6 to 8 p.m. at Garfield Park Lodge, 334 Burton St. SE 49507. Come and learn about the true nature of compost and how to end up with the rich humus that your garden needs.

What is compost?   The term “compost” is overused and not clearly defined by those using it.  Commercial industries, backyard gardeners and community gardens say that they are composting but that’s not always the case. Commercial compost you buy at the garden shop or big box store is not regulated—and can even contain toxic industrial wastes. True composting results in fluffy humus that’s rich in carbon.  While similar to potting soil in texture and color, it is much healthier for your garden.

In addition to standard composting methods, this class will also share the basics of vermiculture—using worms to speed and enhance the compost process.

This is the third in a series of four food gardening classes that OKT is offering this year. Next Monday May 23, OKT will share “How to Save Seeds.” The series will repeat, same time, same place, in June as follows:

  • June 6: How to Plan Your Food Garden 1
  •  June 13: How to Plan Your Food Garden 2
  •  June 20: Composting & Vermiculture
  • June 27: How to Save Seeds

Herbs from your garden ARE medicine

May13
hbc-as09-mullein5-dc

Native to our area, mullein’s leaves remedy respiratory congestion while its flowers address back pain.

Last night, Detroit food justice and media activist, Lottie V. Spady facilitated OKT’s Women of Color Cook, Eat & Talk: Herbs from Your Garden as Medicine. After sampling delicious sauteed dandelion greens and sipping freshly brewed herbal teas, the group assembled to hear Lottie explain how the earth gives us herbs to meet our various physical and medical needs. She became interested in their natural powers when caring for her elderly mother before she passed. After completing formal herbal studies, Lottie began work with  Exhalation Integrative Wellness Center and the Urban Apothecary, a pop-up shop. She creates herbal products under the Detroit Elixir & Salve Company brand and  blogs at Earthseed Detroit. Lottie touched on food justice, the indigenous roots of herbal medicine and some basic remedies growing right in our neighborhoods.

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Earth Day Spring Tree Tour on Friday

Apr20

Tiny OKT Tree Finder_Page_3Earth Day Spring Tree Tour
Friday April 22
6 – 7:30 p.m. Garfield Park Lodge
334 Burton St. SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49507

As part of OKT’s food justice mission, OKT urban forester, Laura Casaletto, will again lead the free Earth Day Spring Tree Tour through Garfield Park. During this foraging adventure,  participants will munch leaves and nibble flowers, for example,  spruce tips, the nectar inside tulip tree flowers, black locust flowers, Japanese knotweed shoots, redbud blossoms and perhaps entire linden trees!  “We’ll certainly find something nice underfoot to add to your Mother’s Day breakfast in bed,” Laura says. “And, you’ll get a little booklet to help you recall what you learned.”

After the outdoor tour, the group will gather back in the lodge for foraged refreshments and a brief dialogue on other in-season, urban edibles that grow in our area.

Water No Get Enemy

Apr4

www3_8086_400x400A new month, a new week begins. Still, the people of Flint face what is becoming an “old” reality: their water is poisoning them. According to the Mayo Clinic, in babies and children lead poisoning causes slowed growth, developmental delay, learning difficulties, irritability, loss of appetite and weight loss, sluggishness and fatigue, abdominal pain, vomiting and constipation and hearing loss. Studies have shown that lead poisoned children may be more likely to become involved in criminal behaviors as adults.

Adults may experience high blood pressure, abdominal, joint and muscle pain, constipation, numbness and tingling of the extremities, headache, memory loss, mood disorders, reduced and abnormal sperm, miscarriage and premature birth and declines in mental function.

Take a few minutes to listen to this great song, Water No Get Enemy,  from Fela Kuti. Consider the facts and create the intention that our public water throughout the state is safe for children and adults.

T’o ba fe lo we omi l’o ma’lo
If you wan to go wash, na water you go use
T’o ba fe se’be omi l’o ma’lo
If you wan cook soup, na water you go use

T’o ri ba n’gbona o omi l’ero re
If your head dey hot, na water go cool am
T’omo ba n’dagba omi l’o ma’lo
If your child dey grow, na water he go use

If water kill your child, na water you go use
T’omi ba p’omo e o omi na lo ma’lo

Ko s’ohun to’le se k’o ma lo’mi o
Nothing without water
Ko s’ohun to’le se k’o ma lo’mi o
Omi o l’ota o

Water, him no get enemy
Omi o l’ota o
If you fight am, unless you wan die
I say water no get enemy
If you fight am, unless you wan die

Omi o l’ota o
I dey talk of Black man power
I dey talk of Black power, I say
I say water no get enemy

If you fight am, unless you wan die
I say water no get enemy
I say water no get enemy
Omi o l’ota o
Omi o l’ota o

Support Team OKT at the ACCESS Hunger Walk!

Mar14

logo1How? Sign Up to Walk or Be a Sponsor!

On Sunday, May 1, 2016, the 39th Annual Access Hunger Walk 2016 will bring more than one thousand walkers and volunteers — rain or shine! Over the past 38 years, tens of thousands of walkers have raised more than $5.6 million in response to local and worldwide need. Funds are distributed for pantry assistance, emergency meals, special project grants for innovative programs addressing hunger and poverty in Kent County and international development programs. One of the recipients in Kent County is the Southeast Area Farmers’ Market! OKT manages the market.

How can you help?

  • Walk with us: Join Team OKT today! You can reply to this email or register directly on the ACCESS website.
  • Sponsor Team OKT: Check out the sponsorship levels on the ACCESS website.

The walk starts off with a 2 p.m. check-in at Park Church, 10 E Park Place. The walk starts at 2:30pm.

If you have any questions, email Stelle at OKTable1@gmail.com.

OKT Collaborating with others on “Healthy Happenings” calendar.

Mar3

Every spring, OKT has created an annual community calendar to let people know about our free events. This year, we invited several area agencies and organizations to include their events that relate to healthy eating and living. The calendar isn’t quite complete yet but here is a first draft with most of the upcoming events listed. Watch for the updated version on the OKT website and around town.

Combined community calendar O V

Do you want to grow a food garden?

Mar2

Deanna 2Have you ever wanted to grow a food garden but didn’t know where to start?
OKT has gardening resources for you if you:

  • Live within our four target neighborhoods (SECA. Baxter, Eastown or Garfield Park).
  • Are pregnant or have children eight-grade or younger.
  • Have challenges that limit your access to healthy food.
  • Have health challenges that can be addressed by growing your own food.

OKT offers educational workshops, free soil testing, gardening tools, starter food plants, garden coaches and compost. We are recruiting gardeners for the 2016 growing season through the end of April. If you are interested, drop us an email oktable1@gmail.com or give us a call 616-206-3641.