EIT Food’s Post

This is an analogy about #volunteerengagement: I have a friend who is a farmer. We visit them twice a year, once in late-June/early-July and then again at the end of the Summer (leaving tomorrow) my wife and his wife are childhood best friends and have stayed close despite a 7 hour drive. Every time I go when we chat - I am learning more about how to care for soil. Not how to care for plants. My friend starting sharing that they decided to invest in their soil a few years back, he shared it would be an investment and expensive but this year he is sharing my fields soak up a lot more water, they don’t get damaged in heavy rain or high wind. His fields are now significantly out producing neighbours fields. I truly believe we, as a society, have missed the mark on supporting volunteerism. Be it with the skimpy investments from govt, society finding is hard to make donations to, or having difficulty building healthy volunteering communities at some organizations. Gov’ts and others are quick to dole out awards and congratulations and wow look at the number of people and hours (I see this as throwing fertilizer on what’s happening). But how is the environment? How’s the soil? Are we planning our crop cycles and giving proper nutrients to ensure healthy growth, are we preparing our fields for biodiversity (be it of ages, races, cultures, languages, experiences, abilities, skills and values). We can look to COVID or even to high inflation and see these have been/are trying times for our volunteer communities- maybe some are giving less time because of having to take another job, maybe worry and fear of exposure is still an issue. When thinking about volunteers becoming part of and belonging in our communities, I think what level of healthly environment can we provide them to help them thrive in the good they eagerly want to provide. #1 is someone to welcome them, greet them orientate them, and introduce them. (Good planting) #2 is someone to know them, train them in a way they will succeed, check in on how they are finding their way and experience and listen to them. (Good growing conditions) #3 someone to advocate for them, share their story and reflect back their value and offer growth in the community. (Good harvest) & #4 someone to ensure that the environment continues to be good, that the time those who give, give continues to be valued, invested in and enriched. (Good soil care) The Canadian Code for Volunteer Involvement (volunteer.ca/ccvi) from Volunteer Canada in partnership with VMPC-Volunteer Management Professionals of Canada has 10 standards where 5 of them speak more to “soil care” than “plant care” and it is a great place for your organization or gov’t to look to see what’s needed to invest in volunteerism in your community. We at the Ottawa Food Bank had the opportunity to audit our community over this past year utilizing the Code and we are excited to share more about that experience in the weeks and months ahead.

🌱 Join Us in Creating a Greener Future! 🌱 We are excited to announce our upcoming project at Ananda Mandala Seva Trust, where we will plant medicinal trees, fruit trees on 4.5 acres in the Sathya Sai District as part of Phase 1 of our initiative. This project aims to provide nutritional and medicinal benefits for children and the elderly in our community while fostering environmental stewardship. Here’s how you can help: We are actively seeking collaborations with individuals and organizations passionate about making a difference. By donating saplings, you can play a vital role in this project—each tree you contribute will not only provide shelter but also nourish hundreds of lives in the years to come. Imagine the impact of your generosity: a single sapling can grow to become a source of shade, fruit, and healing, transforming lives and supporting our community’s health. Join us in our mission to cultivate a thriving ecosystem that benefits all. Together, we can plant the seeds of change and nurture a healthier, sustainable future! 🌿 For collaboration inquiries or to donate saplings, please contact us! 🌿 Sai Kumar P #MedicinalTrees #SustainableFarming #CommunityHealth #EcoFriendly #Agroforestry #PlantATree #GreenInitiative #CommunityEngagement #SupportLocal #NatureForHealth #Reforestation #EnvironmentalStewardship #PlantingSeedsOfChange #HealthyFuture #AnandaMandalaSevaTrust #CSR #CorporateSocialResponsibility #PartnerForChange #SustainableDevelopment #SocialImpact #BusinessForGood #GreenPartnership #EmpowerCommunities #EcoConscious #CorporatePhilanthropy #GiveBack #MakeADifference

The biggest conservation charity in Europe, the National Trust, could go 50% plant-based to help it reach net-zero by 2030 ⁠ ⁠ In recent years, the trust has been taking steps towards becoming more sustainable. This includes reducing single-use plastic, tackling water usage, adopting peat-free gardening and restoring vast areas of woodland.⁠ ⁠ Now, the trust is welcoming a proposal to make the menus at its cafés and other catering outlets 50% plant-based.⁠ ⁠ Find out how National Trust members can vote for the change: https://lnkd.in/e7aNPBy4

🌳 Exciting Announcement: Introducing the Million Tree Campaign in Soon Valley! 🌳 We're thrilled to launch the Million Tree Campaign, a passionate initiative by tree-loving volunteers dedicated to planting one million trees in Soon Valley over the next decade. Our goal is to plant one hundred thousand trees annually, focusing on shady, flowering, and fruit-bearing native species like Dharek, Bakain, Shehtoot, and many more. 🌿 Campaign Details: - Objective: To enhance green cover and biodiversity in Soon Valley. - Funding: Non-political, non-governmental, and solely based on volunteer services and in-kind contributions. - Process: Nurseries will be established in two stages across various villages. Seeds will be collected locally and grown from February to June for optimal germination. - Community Involvement: Volunteers and villagers will nurture these plants until they are ready for permanent planting in July. 👥 How You Can Help: Join us in making a difference: 1. Seed Collectors: Gather seeds from April to June. 2. Nursery Caretakers: Establish and maintain first and second stage nurseries. 3. Plant Caretakers: Adopt and care for plants in your premises or community areas. 4. Contributors: Donate seeds, plants, tools, or provide land for nurseries. 🌱 Together, we can create a greener, more sustainable future for Soon Valley. If you're passionate about conservation and want to get involved, reach out to us to become a volunteer today! #MillionTreeCampaign #Conservation #GreenFuture #SoonValley #VolunteerOpportunity #CommunityEngagement

🌱 Mr. Best's tree planting initiative is generating a lot of buzz! If the initiative is about changing the world "one dollar at a time," it likely means they're leveraging small contributions to make a big impact, perhaps by planting a tree for each dollar donated or by creating a scalable model for tree planting. Such initiatives are often effective because they make it easy for people to contribute and feel like they're part of a larger movement. If Mr. Best and his team are successful, they could set a great example for how small actions can lead to significant environmental benefits. 🤷♀️ Do you think this will inspire more people to get involved in similar projects? 🗣 Remember, every piece of trash we pick up, every tree we plant, and every person we inspire brings us one step closer to a sustainable future. Let’s act now, for tomorrow. #EcoFriendlyAction #NatureNurture #RootsOfChange 💚

At a time when our city & country are supposedly delivering on green targets, healthier futures, food & climate resilience, “greening” and food education, funding for Belfast’s leading community growing & gardening charity - Grow NI - has been pulled. Grow have been operating for years making substantial difference for communities of all ages, backgrounds, faiths & abilities, across different areas of our city. And they are our growing partner for Brink! They are the core of our growing and the heart of our community. There is a grass roots movement of growing and greening happening all around our city, from back alleyways to allotments, from greening derelict spaces to school growing for kids. We all look to what Grow have achieved for us to learn from & with the funding being pulled for them then it hardly demonstrates that council, government or grant funding bodies believe in the strategy documents they publish around greening, growing, gardening, food, community, or physical and mental well being. If you know of someone or some organisation who can fund them please contact me to introduce you to them. If you can spare a couple of pounds then please do see here. Trust me they make a proper difference & we can all learn from them. https://lnkd.in/egNueRZ7 GROW NI We improve mental and physical health & wellbeing, and reducing social isolation through community growing and nature connection. We do this in collaboration with organisations with whom we share common aims and values: Anaka Women’s Collective, Gairdin an Phobail, PPR, Forthspring Inter-Community, The Larder, Newington Housing Association and others. Together, through building individual and community resilience we contribute to tackling some of the big issues of our time: poor health, loneliness, climate breakdown, biodiversity loss.  We are embedded in communities in East, West and North Belfast. All five growing spaces are in areas of high deprivation where people are living with the legacy of the NI conflict. There is a changing demographic in the communities where we work, with new communities including people seeking asylum and with refugee status dealing with migration-related trauma, poverty, exclusion, racism, poor housing, all leading to poor mental and physical health.

Perfect time of year to make those tax exempt, charitable donations. Tax receipts go directly to your email inbox. Thank you in advance for helping save our planet with your kind donation. https://lnkd.in/di9s9vP5 BEEKEEPING PROJECT - Bee the Change: Support Our Hives and Thrive Together! HUSBANDRY is a non profit, natural asset corporation committed to sustainable ecological solutions and practices. Our mission is to promote environmental stewardship while fostering economic growth. Honey bees, as pollinators, play a vital role in agriculture, pollinating a significant portion of the world’s crops, including fruits, vegetables, and nuts. Without their diligent work, many of these crops would struggle to reproduce, leading to diminished yields and increased food prices. However, honey bee populations have been dwindling for several decades, facing numerous threats that continue to intensify. Beekeeping plays a crucial role in enhancing both ecological and societal well-being. By establishing a beekeeping program, we can help increase bee populations, combatting the decline caused by pesticides, habitat loss, and disease. This initiative would foster stronger ecosystems, promote the growth of native flora, and improve agricultural yields, leading to more sustainable food sources. #SupportConservation #NatureConservation #ProtectOurPlanet #SaveOurEarth #EnvironmentalImpact #SustainableFuture #GiveBackToNature #EcoPhilanthropy #NatureLoversGive #YearEndGiving #GivingSeason #EndOfYearGiving #DonateForNature #PhilanthropyForGood #SupportSustainability #FundTheFuture #Impact2024 #HolidayGiving #BeAGreenGiver #LastChanceToGive #GreenDonations #EcoWarriorsUnite #SustainableGiving #ActForNature #PlanetProtectors #WildlifeSupport #CarbonNeutralImpact #BiodiversityMatters #PreserveOurPlanet #NatureNeedsYou

Excited to announce the launch of Eden Greens Urban Farm, a new non-profit bringing fresh, hydroponic produce to Chicago's Southside communities! 🌱 The numbers tell a stark story: Over 500,000 Chicagoans live in food deserts, with the Southside bearing the heaviest burden. In some Southside neighborhoods, residents must travel over 2.5 miles to reach the nearest grocery store with fresh produce - that's about a 30-minute bus ride one way. Our mission is to lighten the burden until these statistics are made to change. Using innovative hydroponic farming techniques, we're growing nutritious, fresh vegetables, greens, and herbs year-round right here in the Southside. Our indoor growing system produces up to 40% more yield than traditional farming while using 95% less water, making fresh food both accessible and sustainable. Through partnerships with local food banks and community organizations, we're working to ensure that zip code no longer determines access to fresh, healthy food. We're just getting started, and we invite you to join us on this journey. Whether you're passionate about food justice, urban agriculture, or community development, there are many ways to get involved: • Partner with us • Support our mission • Share our story Follow us to stay updated on our progress and impact in Chicago's Southside communities. #UrbanAgriculture #FoodJustice #Hydroponics #ChicagoSouthside #SocialImpact #CommunityFirst #Sustainability

Ten years ago, my wife Jane and I embarked on an ambitious dream: to grow sustainable, organic fruit and vegetables on our small community farm in West Lancashire. Our journey started with an idealistic vision of making a positive environmental impact. Little did we know, our farm would evolve into something much more profound. Initially, we focused solely on producing fresh, organic produce. Our transition to wholesale farming kept the farm running, providing quality vegetables to many. However, almost from the beginning, we began receiving unexpected calls from job centres, West Lancs CVS, and various mental health charities. They suggested that individuals they worked with could benefit from spending time on our farm. What started as a trickle turned into a steady stream of volunteers. We noticed remarkable transformations in those who joined us. People who arrived shy and withdrawn began to bloom alongside our crops. They found a sense of purpose, joy, and community through their work here. One particular story stands out: A young man sent by the job centre seemed disengaged at first, absorbed in his smartphone and distant from farm activities. Over time, he became increasingly involved, finding fulfilment in growing, tending the land, and even driving the tractor. One day, he asked if we were paid for him to be at the farm. When I told him we weren’t, he said, “You should be, because this is changing people’s lives, and it’s changed my life.” His words brought a lump to my throat. We realised our farm had grown beyond a simple agricultural project into a sanctuary where nature and nurturing combined to uplift and heal. This transformation wasn’t something we planned, but it has now become the heart of our mission. Today, Burscough Community Farm is not just about growing organic produce. It’s about fostering a space where people find peace, purpose, and a path to better mental health. Our woodlands, meadows, and riverbank offer a serene landscape that inspires and restores. Thank you to everyone who has supported us on this journey. We look forward to continuing to cultivate not just crops, but hope and resilience in our community. If you want to know more about the farm, please visit our website: https://lnkd.in/e_n4BwDr. #OrganicFarming #CommunityImpact #MentalHealth #SustainableLiving #WestLancashire

Join Our Grow-A-Row Program! At Edmonton Meals on Wheels, we believe in the power of community and fresh, homegrown produce. Our Grow-A-Row Program invites local gardeners to dedicate a row of their garden to grow vegetables and herbs for our clients. How It Works: - Plant: Dedicate a row of your garden for Edmonton Meals on Wheels. - Grow: Nurture your plants with care. - Harvest: Gather your produce when it’s ready. - Donate: Drop off your fresh produce at 11111 103 Ave, Edmonton Why Participate? - Community Impact: Provide fresh food to those in need. - Sustainability: Reduce food transportation carbon footprint. - Connection: Join a network of community-minded individuals. - Education: Learn more about gardening and sustainable practices. Get involved and help us grow a healthier community! Together, we can make a difference, one row at a time!