We got so much done in May! We hosted Health Hub plantings and cook-outs, built a lot of infrastructure for the Garden Network and harvested 428 pounds of food at the Maglio Farm. Thank you to all the supportive community members and volunteers that have made invaluable contributions! Scroll down to learn more. Watch for opportunities to get involved! Click the tiles below for program-specific updates or just scroll down to read it all.
health hubs
garden network
Kilbourn garden
maglio farm
shared harvest
urban waters
ground corps
HEALTH HUBS
Last month in our Community Garden Health Hubs, we hosted major garden builds, plantings and cook-outs. Along with garden leaders, volunteers, and our Ground Corps, we built five garden beds, a new compost structure and new platforms for rainwater tanks. Thanks to Tricklebee Cafe who donated lunch for all the workers!
At Thurston Woods Community Garden, Ground Corps built a much anticipated rainwater structure and three new ADA accessible beds. Neighbors were excited to see this new addition and impressed with the speed of the Ground Corps crew.
We also hosted a planting and cook-out event at Scooter’s Garden of Hope. Thanks to Chef Martin of Unsalted Life for his creative healthy cooking lessons and delicious food!
Upcoming Health Hub Yoga Sessions
We’re excited to announce that we will be hosting weekly yoga sessions at our Community Garden Health Hubs throughout the summer. Emily McDoniels of SoulShine Yoga will be leading all sessions. Sessions will rotate between Peace Park Community Garden, Uptown Crossing Community Garden and Hilltop Community Garden. Follow the link below to see all times and dates.
Want to participate in Health Hub programming?
If you live near one of our Community Garden Health Hubs and would like to participate in healthy outdoor programming, fill out this form to let us know what types of activities you’d like to see in the gardens. We would love to see you there!
GARDEN NETWORK
There’s so much going on in the Garden Network. Last month, we added another garden to the network, prepared our huge urban farm at 26th and Clybourn for planting and collaborated with Walnut Way to do the same at their location. We also made infrastructure updates to a number of gardens including, Mulberry Urban Eden, Solomon Community Garden, Historic Walnut Hill and the Young Farmers Garden at Mary Ryan Boys & Girls Club in Sherman Park. Check out the pictures below from this eventful month.
New Garden Alert
Yet another new garden joined the network this month. Welcome, St. Mark AME Church to the Milwaukee Grows Garden Network! We look forward to growing together!
Compost Crusader Discount
We are excited about a new collaboration with Compost Crusaders! Compost Crusaders is offering discounted compost to gardens or partners affiliated with Groundwork Milwaukee. Compost will be discounted from $35 per yard to $30 per yard for orders of 3 yards or more.
Garden Network Volunteer Opportunities
We’ll be hosting volunteer work days at the below times on a weekly basis. View our sign-up page for specific times and locations.
KILBOURN GARDEN
Each Thursday at Kilbourn, we host a volunteer workday to keep the garden looking fresh throughout the season. Thanks to all the volunteers who have helped us to keep the space tidy so far this season. If you’d like to come help out, follow the link below and sign-up for a ‘Weekly Kilbourn Workday’ time slot.
Maglio Farm
The sun is out and the hoop house sides are rolled up at the Maglio Farm. We’re entering peak production months and need all the help we can get!
The last of the winter greens were ripped out, and as of this Saturday, June 5th, all beds are planted with new summer crops. Get ready for the bounty - peas, tomatoes, cucumbers, and more. Join us for weeding, harvesting, or for this month’s garden workshop!
May Harvest
COMPOST WORKSHOP
This month’s workshop is on composting. Learn to turn your organic waste into super soil with Samson Srok. Follow the link to register in advance.
shared harvest
June is here! That means we’ve kicked off our Shared Harvest programming. If you’re a backyard gardener and would like to donate your extra garden produce to local food pantries, sign-up for Fresh Food Connect and our volunteer couriers will come pick-up your donation once a week. To sign-up, download the Fresh Food Connect app from the app store and create an account.
Urban Waters
Adopt-a-River Annual Spring Clean-Up
Groundwork Milwaukee has partnered with Milwaukee Riverkeeper to adopt a section of Lincoln Creek between Hopkins and Sherman. In April, we collaborated with Milwaukee Riverkeeper to lead the annual clean-up kickoff! We filled 15 contractor bags with trash, and removed street signs and tires from the creek. A huge thank you to our tremendous volunteers who brought energy and joy to the event. We appreciate you! Thank you to all the community members who stopped to let us know the space was looking great. We look forward to our continuing stewardship of this tributary with Milwaukee Riverkeeper!
Please, come join us on June 26th from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. for our next clean up event. Find more details below.
Prairie Planting at Lakeshore State Park
A huge thank you to everyone who participated in our prairie planting extravaganza with the Friends of Lakeshore State Park! We transplanted 1,052 prairie grasses and flowers along the Hank Aaron Trail. We couldn’t have done it without all your help, thank you!
Milwaukee River Water Monitoring in Estabrook Park
This year, Groundwork Milwaukee is partnering with Milwaukee Riverkeeper to monitor the quality of our waterways. We monitored our section, near Estabrook Park, with the help of Rebecca from Milwaukee Riverkeeper in May. These were our first samples of the season.
Seeking Youth Water Monitors
We are looking for a youth group that may be interested in monitoring with us the last week of August. Reach out to jacelia@groundworkmke.org for more information!
GROUND CORPS
Welcome, Bree!
In May, Bree joined Groundwork Milwaukee as the Ground Corps Crew Leader. In her short time with us, she has already brought a ton of energy and support to our field operations. Welcome to the team, Bree!
