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Taproot Collective, 20 First Street, Rochester, NY (2024)

11/02/2024

Thanks University of Rochester EcoReps for all your hard work, trimming perennials and w**ding around the farm last weekend! EcoReps is a student-led program at the University of Rochester that promotes environmental sustainability through a variety of educational and leadership opportunities ♻️ They’ve helped around the farm before, and we were so happy to have them back! Btw, applications are open for their Spring program 👀

11/01/2024

🔔 2024 Annual Meeting Notice: Join us on Wednesday, November 13, 6pm - 7pm, online, for our annual meeting, in which we will review 2023-2024 program achievements, financials, and 2025 goals! Register through the following link -> https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJEpdOGhrT8iGdb2tDzhPNn-QQY69crSYNb4

10/31/2024

40+ community gardens received supplies through our annual Fall Giveaway this year (almost double what we did in 2023)! We gave each garden seed garlic, flower bulbs, bagged compost, straw mulch, and handy garden tools, and those materials will help gardeners prepare their growing spaces for Winter and next Spring 🌱

10/22/2024

Help us put First Market Farm to bed for the Winter! Activities will include removing dead plants, planting bulbs for Spring, spreading compost, and laying down mulch.

When: Saturday, November 2, 12pm - 2pm

Where: First Market Farm, 20 1st St, Rochester, NY 14605

Register through the link -> https://unitedwayrocflx.galaxydigital.com/need/detail/?need_id=1000770

10/20/2024

We're partnering with our friends at 441 Ministries Beechwood, Inc to make some year-end improvements to their community garden, and here are two ways you can get involved:

When: Saturdays, October 26 and November 2, 10am - 1pm

Where: Beechwood Community Garden, NW Corner of Parsells Ave & Stout St

What: Everything from pulling w**ds and saving seeds to building new beds and creating a pollinator garden.

Sign up for any or all volunteer opportunities through the following link -> https://docs.google.com/document/d/13-hKQff7gNo2vslFmZYDTvPVobETpbg50f553tXwKog/edit?usp=sharing

10/19/2024

Thank you, volunteers, for helping us revitalize the pollinator garden at First Market Farm! It already looks so much healthier, and we can't wait to see it all come to life in the Spring! Additionally, we are so excited about how the paths you installed will improve both the farm's accessibility and visibility.

10/18/2024

For our FINAL 🥹 community garden workshop of 2024, let's reflect on the growing season, our gardens, and past workshops. Each season is full of learning, and stories are great teachers, so come and tell us about your garden! Your feedback will also help us plan workshop topics for 2025! We'll even have some treats to share.

When: Saturday, November 2nd, 2pm-4pm.

Where: 20 1st St, Rochester, NY 14605.

Email [email protected] to RSVP.

10/17/2024

The City of Rochester is developing its first ever Community Food Systems Plan, and they need YOUR input!

Join them for a public meeting on Wednesday October 23 from 6-7:30PM at the Thomas P. Ryan Center Community Room located at 530 Webster Avenue. At the meeting, they’ll share findings from their analysis of Rochester’s food system, discuss what they’ve heard from the community, and gather your feedback on how to reduce barriers and increase access to healthy affordable food in all city neighborhoods. Light refreshments will be provided, and children and families are welcome!

Can’t attend the public meeting on October 23? Join them for a virtual meeting on October 28 from 6-7:30PM! The virtual meeting will present the same information as the in-person meeting and will include several opportunities for participant input. Register for the virtual meeting at: www.tinyurl.com/RocFoodPlanMtg

Photo credit: Oh!Davidson Creative

10/16/2024

Our annual Fall Material Giveaway is THIS Friday 🥳. Each registered community garden will be able to pickup seed garlic, flower bulbs, prepared compost, straw mulch, and garden tools!

Community gardeners, registration will remain open through the week. Register your community garden today -> https://airtable.com/appuGhejfXIJhmgrZ/pagXQAmEbgd9zic2V/form

Giveaway Date & Time: this Friday, October 18, 5pm - 7pm

Giveaway Location: First Market Farm, 20 1st St, Rochester, NY 14605

10/10/2024

Interested in local, collaborative food systems work? Common Ground Health is hiring a full-time Food Policy Coordinator, who will work closely with the Rochester Food Policy Council and community partners to design and implement strategies that promote healthy communities in Rochester! Interested? Learn more about the job and its benefits through the link -> https://media.cmsmax.com/ravk3pgz5ktlujs1r08ci/Food%20Policy%20Coordinator%20Job%20Posting.pdf.

10/09/2024

Asimi and Steph had a blast learning from The Food Project, a Boston-based organization that works to bring community-control and collaboration into food systems! Together with educators and growers from around the country, Asimi and Steph shared ways for engaging and empowering youth through growing food.

Now, they are ready to dig deeper into The Food Project's curricula to strengthen our Summer youth-employment program and pilot a new program that will engage youth during the academic year.

Much thanks to the team over at The Food Project for all the work they do in supporting youth, food, and community!

10/04/2024

🙏 Thank you 💛

To everyone who has reached out, shared gifts, offered help, and heard our story. Thank you. Community is immensely healing and our gratitude has overwhelmed our sadness.

With your support, we will replant the pollinator garden at First Market Farm (starting tomorrow 😊) and work to deepen our relationship with our neighborhood.

If you want to help sustain this work, here are some ways you can get involved:
- Become a monthly donor -> https://secure.givelively.org/donate/taproot-collective-inc
- Volunteer with us -> https://unitedwayrocflx.galaxydigital.com/agency/detail/?agency_id=108598
- Get involved with a community garden in your neighborhood (we can help you find one)!

09/27/2024

It’s been a hard week at First Market Farm. Last night, someone broke into our office and stole over $4,000 of equipment and supplies, including materials we intended for our Fall Community Garden Giveaway.

It’s disheartening, to say the least, but it doesn’t shake our commitment to the gardeners and growers of Rochester.

Our 10/5 Volunteer Day (and First Market Farm Fall Fest)? Still on!

Our Fall Giveaway? Still on!

You can register for both of these, and donate to support our work and recovery, at the link in our bio.

We’re also so grateful for all the support we’ve received from you since sharing about Wednesday’s garden destruction. It really means a lot to us 💛🙏

09/26/2024

Fall Giveaway registration is OPEN! We are giving out garlic bulbs, flower bulbs, straw mulch, garden tools, and bagged compost to Rochester community gardens 💚 Register your garden through the following link: https://airtable.com/appuGhejfXIJhmgrZ/pagXQAmEbgd9zic2V/form

09/25/2024

Earlier today, men with riding mowers and w**d whackers destroyed the pollinator garden at 20 1st St that Taproot has tended for 7 years. When confronted, they said someone paid them $20 to “do the corner,” refused to leave, and physically threatened a Taproot Board Member. They destroyed over 1,000 square feet of mature garden and landscaping. We’re saddened and upset by this act, but determined to rebuild.

Thankfully, you can help.

If you want to help restore the garden, sign up for our volunteer day on October 5 - and stay for a workshop on planting garlic!

If you’re so moved, consider donating $20 to help us “do the corner” even better than before! Your gift will support garden restoration at Taproot and the services we offer to community gardens across Rochester.

09/24/2024

Join us next Saturday for the First Market Fall Fest! We will host events throughout the day, and you're welcome to any and all!

12-2pm Volunteer Shift 👋 - Prep garden for Winter and revitalize the pollinator garden. Register through the following link: https://unitedwayrocflx.galaxydigital.com/need/detail/?need_id=991716

2-4pm Garlic Workshop 🧄 - Learn about garlic planting and care, and plant some too! RSVP by emailing [email protected].

4-6pm Urban Agriculture Working Group Potluck 🍽 - Share food with friends in the urban ag community!

09/18/2024

As we enjoy the final days of Summer, lets reflect! Over the weekend we shared some ways to do so, and much thanks to the TABS Garden for hosting us!

Admiring our gardens and efforts is important, and reflection is a great step in planning for the next growing season. Here are some takeaways from the workshop:

Amend and mulch your soil! Applying compost in the Fall will prevent it from burning the roots of your plants come Spring, and mulch will help keep moisture and heat (and that compost :)) in your beds.

Pull plants that are done, and if you plan to compost them, we suggest chopping them finely to encourage breakdown. Also, we recommend you avoid adding heavily diseased plants to your compost, which may spread their diseases in your garden.

Prepare to plant bulbs in October or November! Join us for our next workshop to learn about bulb planting, as we will plant garlic around the farm.

09/11/2024

Calling helping hands 👋 Volunteer with us this Saturday from 2pm - 4pm at 20 1st St to w**d and mulch the pathways and revitalize the pollinator garden! Walk up or register through the following link: https://unitedwayrocflx.galaxydigital.com/need/detail/?need_id=986083. Tools, gloves, and water provided :)

09/06/2024

Join us Saturday, September 14th (10am-12pm), to welcome Fall and discuss how we can help our gardens do the same!

The workshop will be at the TABs Garden on 53 Brayer St, and topics will include disease control, soil health, caring for dormant perennials, and harvesting / storing produce. Register or RSVP for this workshop by emailing [email protected].

09/05/2024

We are thrilled to be the beneficiaries of Jaden's Eagle Scout project! He built three raised planters and an outdoor storage bin for First Market Farm. Congrats and thank you, Jaden! These additions will improve the accessibility and productivity of our garden for seasons to come!

08/29/2024

🔔 We've made it to the final week of the Urban Grower Survey, and thank you to all the growers who have shared their experiences! And there's still time if you haven't! Your responses will help contextualize our field research and identify topics for future programs.

Get the survey here 👉 https://tr.ee/M0MljxzM96

08/20/2024

Over the weekend, we enjoyed sharing fresh produce and old seed-saving wisdom at the Miss Merrimac Community Garden! Remember, "save the best and eat the rest!"

If you are looking to dive more deeply into seed saving, we recommend you try the online courses available through Fruition Seeds.

A big thank you to all who joined, and we hope to see you at our next workshop on Saturday, September 14: Fall Prep! These workshops are open to anyone who is or wants to be involved with community gardens in Rochester.

08/14/2024

SAVE THE SEEDS! And join us this Saturday for some tips and tricks about how to do just that! The workshop is from 10am-12pm at the Miss Merrimac Community Garden at 250 Merrimac St, and together we'll learn how to harvest, process, and store seeds for future plantings.

We will bring folding chairs for all, but feel free to bring your own lawn chair too :)

Register or RSVP for this workshop by sending an email to [email protected]

08/08/2024

Join us Saturday, August 17th (10am-12pm), at the Miss Merrimac Community Garden, at 250 Merrimac St, for a seed saving workshop! Together we'll learn how to harvest, process, and store seeds for future plantings!

Register or RSVP for this workshop by sending an email to [email protected].

07/17/2024

Here's a fun word: Totipotency. It refers to an organism's ability to regenerate from any part of itself, and in the world of w**ds, totipotency is one quality that makes some w**ds so difficult to get rid of 😈

We are fascinated by our w**ds and pests, and we enjoyed the opportunity to speak, learn, and grieve about them at the Beechwood Community Garden over the weekend. Thank you to all who joined!

We hope to see you at the next workshop on Saturday, August 10th: Seed Saving. These workshops are open to anyone who is or wants to be involved with community gardens in Rochester.

Taproot Collective