So, we'd like to share with you the changes and developments going on at the garden this year, that were started, tentatively over the past few years, but have really started to take shape.
There are a few main focuses at the B.E.E. Community Farm. The first, is the development of our native orchard. We are learning the benefits and purposes of the plants that grow around us here in Birmingham. We are learning about the "weeds", and studying what they bring to the ecosystem. We are studying the health and medicinal benefits, and how to harvest and use them. We are planting trees, flowers and bushes that specific birds, butterflies, bees and other pollinators like. We are learning which insects are helping us control the aphids, which ones are feeding on our plants, and who to attract that feast on mosquitos!
It is amazing the system that is already in place in our ecosystem. And what is more amazing, is that this system has worked for hundreds of thousands of years. It only makes sense that we learn FROM nature, and we learn to live in harmony with it.
This leads to our next major focus, which is developing this space into a community food forest. We are working to establish more perennial plants in the garden. We already have quite a few fruit trees, and we have been learning how to care for those, and what we can plant with them to further encourage healthy growth.
If you'd like to read more about this, here's a great article:
The basic idea of a food forest is a low-maintenance sustainable system based on a forest eco-system, and incorporating fruit and nut trees, shrubs, herbs, vines and perennial vegetables.
The third element that composes B.E.E. Community Farm is the community. We have families at the garden that have their own plots. We have new picnic tables, we have collected some tools and gloves for people to use when they come out, we have more rain barrels. We are working to develop education in the garden and host classes, workshops and events to invite the community around us to join in, and work together to develop this for our friends and family, our neighbors, ourselves. A place to gather, relax, grow food, real food, reclaim our health that we seem to have lost! Let's return a little love and care to the Earth that provides us with food, water and air.
There are a few main focuses at the B.E.E. Community Farm. The first, is the development of our native orchard. We are learning the benefits and purposes of the plants that grow around us here in Birmingham. We are learning about the "weeds", and studying what they bring to the ecosystem. We are studying the health and medicinal benefits, and how to harvest and use them. We are planting trees, flowers and bushes that specific birds, butterflies, bees and other pollinators like. We are learning which insects are helping us control the aphids, which ones are feeding on our plants, and who to attract that feast on mosquitos!
It is amazing the system that is already in place in our ecosystem. And what is more amazing, is that this system has worked for hundreds of thousands of years. It only makes sense that we learn FROM nature, and we learn to live in harmony with it.
This leads to our next major focus, which is developing this space into a community food forest. We are working to establish more perennial plants in the garden. We already have quite a few fruit trees, and we have been learning how to care for those, and what we can plant with them to further encourage healthy growth.
If you'd like to read more about this, here's a great article:
The basic idea of a food forest is a low-maintenance sustainable system based on a forest eco-system, and incorporating fruit and nut trees, shrubs, herbs, vines and perennial vegetables.
The third element that composes B.E.E. Community Farm is the community. We have families at the garden that have their own plots. We have new picnic tables, we have collected some tools and gloves for people to use when they come out, we have more rain barrels. We are working to develop education in the garden and host classes, workshops and events to invite the community around us to join in, and work together to develop this for our friends and family, our neighbors, ourselves. A place to gather, relax, grow food, real food, reclaim our health that we seem to have lost! Let's return a little love and care to the Earth that provides us with food, water and air.
PAST EVENTS
2014
2nd Annual Community Garden Gathering
Join the Community Garden Coalition and Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens as they host the 2nd annual Community Garden Gathering at B.E.E. this year! Sunday, October 26th, from 1 to 5. This event will feature education on composting, herbs and honeybees, as well as children's activities, games, refreshments, urban chickens and more! Best of all it is free ! Come and help us celebrate the changing seasons, get to know your neighbors, and enjoy some tasty treats and family fun!
Come out and support us at the Birmingham Botanical Garden's Earth Day 2014, "Growing Community Roots", hosted by the Community Garden Coalition for Birmingham and Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens! B.E.E. will be there with chickens and a chicken tractor, hopefully a preview of what is to come to B.E.E. in the very near future! The event is from 11-4, and it is free, with great music, free popcorn and drinks and lots of Urban Agriculture activities! We hope to see you there!!!
visit: www.cgcbham.org for more info!
visit: www.cgcbham.org for more info!
Monday, April 21st, 2014
6:30 - 9:00
Come fertilize your mind!
_watch trailer!
Nosh, Sip and Socialize as a warm up to a new and inspiring documentary on urban farming.
Your $5.00 donation to the Community Garden Coalition for Birmingham helps support local community gardens.
Arrive at 6:30 and grab a local brew or glass of wine and mingle with the community at large. Showtime is 7:30.
You'll be running for your shovel by the end of the film!
*Get your Earth Day at The Gardens, "Growing Community Roots" t-shirts early, pre-sale price only $15!
Community Garden Coalition For Birmingham and Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens
6:30 - 9:00
Come fertilize your mind!
_watch trailer!
Nosh, Sip and Socialize as a warm up to a new and inspiring documentary on urban farming.
Your $5.00 donation to the Community Garden Coalition for Birmingham helps support local community gardens.
Arrive at 6:30 and grab a local brew or glass of wine and mingle with the community at large. Showtime is 7:30.
You'll be running for your shovel by the end of the film!
*Get your Earth Day at The Gardens, "Growing Community Roots" t-shirts early, pre-sale price only $15!
Community Garden Coalition For Birmingham and Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens
2013
Community Garden Bike Tour October 26th, 9am
Join the Community Garden Coalition and Stan Palla, the executive director of the Alabama Bicycle Coalition on an 11 mile bike tour including 3 community gardens in the Avondale neighborhood, 3 community gardens in the Norwood neighborhood, and Jones Valley Teaching Farm. The tour starts and finishes at Freshfully in Avondale, a supporter of the CGC. We will finish just in time for lunch at their new cafe!
The cost of the tour is $30, which includes a organic cotton t-shirt. All proceeds from the event go to support the CGC so that we may continue to help the greater Birmingham area grow fresh food and learn about healthy eating!
If you are unable to attend the bike tour, but would like to support the CGC, t-shirts may be purchased individually for $20 by emailing info@cgcbham.org
We hope everyone will celebrate National Food Day in Birmingham this October 26th by taking part in this fun event for the whole family!!
For more information visit, to order tickets or purchaase a shirt: www.cgcbham.org
Composting Class
Come out for a class on Composting, taught by William Cureton (a..k.a. Captain Compost) on June 22nd, at 10am. The class should last 1 to 2 hours, will be held at the Ecofarm, and you will learn about composting, lasagna layering, and no-till method! The cost of the class is $20, and you will receive a 50lb bag of his compost for attending! Call with questions! MUST RSVP at beecommunity@yahoo.com, or call 205-886-4789.
Opening of the East Lake Farmers Market and the Annual Strawberry Festival this Saturday, May 3rd from 8-Noon! Rain or shine!Mmmm strawberries! Fresh, ripe, delicious. Join us opening day and enjoy some free strawberry shortcake! Experience the smooth sounds of Marvin McCombs and Wayne Brown’s jazz guitar and piano. Sample Chef J.R. Jacobson’s strawberry salad and strawberry syrup at the cooking demo. At the kids booth we’ll have fun activities like strawberry painting and dipping. Deb Wakefield from the Bay Area Food Bank will be available to educate folks about SNAP.
We have it all at the market! In addition to all the strawberry treats, experience all of our weekly offerings of the market – meet your local farmers plus some new vendors. Purchase delicious fresh produce. Peruse the booths of local artists, purchase some delicious homemade pastries, strawberry jam and strawberry lemonade. And best of all, meet your neighbors and celebrate spring!
Join the event on Facebook!
Add the market to your calendar and don’t forget to tell your friends and neighbors to join us every Saturday through October 11, 2014. See you at the market!
We have it all at the market! In addition to all the strawberry treats, experience all of our weekly offerings of the market – meet your local farmers plus some new vendors. Purchase delicious fresh produce. Peruse the booths of local artists, purchase some delicious homemade pastries, strawberry jam and strawberry lemonade. And best of all, meet your neighbors and celebrate spring!
Join the event on Facebook!
Add the market to your calendar and don’t forget to tell your friends and neighbors to join us every Saturday through October 11, 2014. See you at the market!
This Wednesday, April 23rd at 6:30 come out and support the Community Garden Coalition For Birmingham, support this awesome restaurant who is dedicated to connecting local farmers with the community and enjoy some great local food!
Get tickets now:_
Get tickets now:_
Earth Day at The Gardens returns on April 27, 2013 from 11 – 4 p.m. in the Formal Garden in front of the Conservatory. This year, the annual celebration will partner with Community Garden Coalition for Birmingham to focus on the growing local and national interest in community gardening. Displays and demonstrations will feature topics such as: vegetable garden design, raised bed construction, composting, trellising, rainwater irrigation and beekeeping. Focus will be maintained on health and wellness and the benefits of good nutrition. The event is free to the public.
This year’s musical entertainment will be provided by John Scalici’s eclectic and multicultural Juka Tribe. Their music, which draws inspiration and influence from hip-hop, rock, African, and Middle Eastern music, is socially conscious but not forced or overtly political. With influences as diverse as Howlin’ Wolf and Fela Kuti, the band will recall the sounds of acts like Beats Antique.
Admission is free.
Also taking place in Blount Plaza at 1 p.m. will be a Get Into The Gardens demonstration, "Easy Container Gardening: Planting Peppers."
Meet and Greet!!
Community Garden Coalition for Birmingham is hosting a Meet and Greet February 27th, from 6:30 to 8:30pm at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. We are working to connect the gardening efforts throughout the Birmingham area, and create a network of support! Please contact us if you are interested in attending, spaces limited!
Green Resource Center for Alabama presents at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens:
Lunch and Learn
"Sustainable Living 101"
January 23, February 13, March 27 | 11:30 - 12:30 p.m.
Free
To Prune or Not to Prune | Fred Spicer | January 23 | Strange Auditorium
Spring Into Cleaning with Recycling | Dana Gray and Alan Gurganus | February 13 | Ireland Room
Four Legged Gardening | Sallie Lee | March 27 | Strange Auditorium
http://www.hon.org/workshops
Backyard Sustainable Gardening Worshops in Nashville, TN
http://www.spiralridgepermaculture.com/events/
backyard mushroom class, and other classes in Summertown, TN
http://georgiaorganics.org/goevents/
Lots and lots of awesomeness going on in Atlanta! We are way behind the curve here people! Checkout the classes they are offering!
2012
Botanical Gardens Documentary film series - FREE!!!
Dirt! The Movie
August 19, 2 p.m.
“Dirt! The Movie” is an insightful and timely film that tells the story of the glorious and unappreciated material beneath our feet. Inspired by William Bryant Logan’s acclaimed book Dirt: The Ecstatic Skin of the Earth, “Dirt! The Movie” takes a humorous and substantial look into the history and current state of the living organic matter that we come from and to which we will later return.
Watch the trailer...
http://vimeo.com/35904848
August 25, 6:15pm - ALABAMA PREMIERE!!!
So very excited to finally show the movie in Alabama! The screening will take place on Saturday, August 25th at 6:15pm at theAlabama Theatre in Birmingham as part of the Sidewalk Film Festival, along with a ton of other great movies (see more info here). EA director Andrew Beck Grace and lots of folks featured in the movie will be in attendance. Should be a great party! Join the event on Facebook, and tell all your friends! Looking forward to seeing you soon!
A LIMITED NUMBER OF ADVANCED TICKETS FOR THE SCREENING CAN BE PURCHASED HERE!
So very excited to finally show the movie in Alabama! The screening will take place on Saturday, August 25th at 6:15pm at theAlabama Theatre in Birmingham as part of the Sidewalk Film Festival, along with a ton of other great movies (see more info here). EA director Andrew Beck Grace and lots of folks featured in the movie will be in attendance. Should be a great party! Join the event on Facebook, and tell all your friends! Looking forward to seeing you soon!
A LIMITED NUMBER OF ADVANCED TICKETS FOR THE SCREENING CAN BE PURCHASED HERE!
Past media coverage:
Videos:
CBS 42: There will be a spot on the news tonight about Community gardens in Birmingham, featuring a few of our gardens (including B.E.E. Community) in honor of Earthday!
http://www.cbs42.com/mediacenter/local.aspx?videoid=4028272
B.E.E. is working at the EcoFarm that was established by the Jefferson county department of health and the Southern Environmental Center. We believe in the original vision of the EcoFarm, on many aspects, and we are working towards this vision while implementing a Community Garden as well!
Thank you for your generous donations of time, materials and support!
Donating:
Massey Mercantile - seeds, buckets
Robert Webb - pallets
Hunter Bruce - compost thermometer
Paul Eitson - bathouse
Tom Forsee - leaf compost
Jones Valley Teaching Farm - woodchips
Paul Eitson - organic pest and disease control advice
Loan:
Jamal Bashir - mower, weedeater
Andy Olds - tractor mower
Doug Shaddix - tractor mower, weedeater
Past Volunteers:
Scott and Virginia Duncan, Mammie and Charlie Settles, Tom Forsee
Lindsay Whiteaker, Anna McCown, Asher Morton-Maystein, Ellen Crotty, Lisa and Chris Binegar, Laura Rogers, Tyler, Tonnia Maddux
Holly Morgan, Valarie McCay, Courtney Edwards, Lindsey Best
Karyl Panion and Olivia, Robert Web, Rachel and Steven
A special thanks to the Community Garden Coalition for everyone's generous support of time and resources:
Andy, Doug, Gail, Jamal, Asher, Anna, Lindsey
and to Lissa and Laurie for the great connections and advice
and to Beverly Taylor with the Birmingham News for publishing BEE's first article!!!
Worday this Saturday, August 18th from 10am to 2pm
We will be having a workday at EcoFarm this Saturday! Many different things to do! Areas to clear, ground to clear, compost, etc! We will also be discussing family plots and fall planting!
Bring your gloves, weedeaters, mowers, machetes, lopers, pruners, hand shovels, or anything else that might be useful!
Anything you can or want to do, we can use your help!
Bring your gloves, weedeaters, mowers, machetes, lopers, pruners, hand shovels, or anything else that might be useful!
Anything you can or want to do, we can use your help!
Workday this Saturday, September 29th, from 10am to 2pm
We will be having a workday at EcoFarm this Saturday! All levels of experience welcome! Bring tools, gloves, water, and come join in the fun!
Workday this Saturday, November 10th, from 10am to 2pm
We will be having a workday at Ecofarm this Saturday! All levels of experience welcome! Come to work or just to visit this beautiful space!
