HCSWCd Urban Agriculture News

SWCD Urban Agriculture Program - In the News

June 28, 2018

HAMILTON COUNTY SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT DECLARES ONGOING SUCCESS OF THE SUMMER PRODUCE DONATION PROGRAM

(Noblesville, IN)…… The Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District (HCSWCD) partnered with local organizations to grow over 200 dwarf tomato and pepper plants for the summer produce donation program. This generous contribution adds to the community’s continuous effort of supplying Hamilton County residents who are experiencing food insecurity with nutritious food. The plants were delivered to seven local food pantries.
“These plants will continue to grow in their 2-gallon containers and HCSWCD will provide free technical assistance via text messaging throughout the year, said Andrew Fritz, HCSWCD Urban Agriculture Conservationist.
This is the 2nd year that the summer produce donation program has been in operation and its success is largely due to the integral role played by the HCSWCD partners and volunteers. HCSWC would like to thank these individuals for their substantial and ongoing efforts.

For more information about the summer produce donation program, call (317) 773-2181 or email [email protected].

May 28, 2018

HAMILTON COUNTY SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT AND THE FARMERS BANK CONTINUE SUMMER PRODUCE DONATION PROGRAM

(Noblesville, IN)…… The Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) and The Farmers Bank are relaunching an annual program that encourages the public to donate fresh produce for county food pantries. 2017 was the inaugural year which successfully provided over 400 lbs. of produce to people experiencing food insecurity. Every Monday from July 2 – September 24 (excluding Labor Day), the public may drop off produce donations to the Sheridan branch of The Farmers Bank (987 South White Avenue) between 9am – 4:30pm. Every Wednesday from June 27 – September 26 (excluding Independence Day), the public may drop off produce donations to the Noblesville branch of The Farmers Bank (16940 Clover Road) between 9am – 5pm. All donations will stay local and be given to food pantries in Sheridan and Noblesville. People are welcome to donate produce they have grown themselves or that they have purchased at farmers markets or grocery stores.

The convenient locations of both branches will make it easy for people to drop off donations while running errands or on their lunch hour. No donation is too small—even smaller donations of a few tomatoes or a few ears of corn all add up and make an impact on local food insecurity.

For more information about the summer produce donation program, call (317) 773-2181 or email [email protected].

HAMILTON COUNTY SOIL AND WATER RECEIVES $38,000 CLEAN WATER INDIANA GRANT

Noblesville, IN (January 29th, 2018) – Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District is pleased to announce it has received funding to continue their urban agriculture program via a $38,000 Clean Water Indiana Grant through the Indiana State Department of Agriculture.

The Urban Agriculture program was started in 2016 and supported through 2017 with grants from the National Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts and Legacy Fund- a Central Indiana Community Foundation affiliate. The program builds on the success of the urban conservation program and supports backyard and community gardens across Hamilton County. Technical assistance is provided to help county residents start new vegetable and fruit gardens and improve their existing gardens. Comprehensive education and outreach programs are focused on alleviating food insecurity in the county and connecting residents with local food. Donations of fresh vegetables to local food pantries are supported by pairing businesses, community gardens, and service organizations with food pantries. The Hamilton County Garden Network was created to support and connect the growing number of community gardens across the county.

“The urban agriculture program has really developed and gained steam over the last year and a half and this grant will help us keep moving forward and continue providing valuable assistance to Hamilton County residents.” said Claire Lane, Urban Conservationist.

More information about the services provided by the Soil and Water Conservation District, including info on the Urban Agriculture program and Hamilton County Garden Network can be found online at www.hamiltonswcd.org. Request a free on-site urban agriculture or urban conservation site visit by calling 317-773-2181.

The Clean Water Indiana program is administered by the Indiana State Department of Agriculture and provides grants for conservation projects and capacity building through Indiana’s Soil and Water Conservation Districts. More information is available at www.in.gov/isda/2379.

Urban Agriculture Program Awarded Grant From Legacy Fund

We were recently awarded a $15,000 grant from Legacy Fund – a Central Indiana Community Foundation affiliate. This grant will help us maintain staff to continue our urban agriculture program. This initiative supports Hamilton County urban, home, and community gardeners with technical assistance and conservation as well as building community and partnerships.

Grant Award Press Release

Indianapolis Star

In June 2017, Maureen Gilmer with the Indianapolis Star wrote two articles about food insecurity in Hamilton County. One article highlighted the work being done by two of our community partners--the Carmel United Methodist Church Food Pantry and the Good Samaritan Network of Hamilton County. The second highlighted the programs that SWCD urban agriculture have launched in order to help alleviate food insecurity in Hamilton County. We appreciate the Star's help in publicizing how urban agriculture can help with local food insecurity. You can read the articles online here:

How Hamilton County gardeners are helping feed their hungry neighbors: http://www.indystar.com/story/news/local/hamilton-county/2017/06/01/how-hamilton-county-gardeners-helping-feed-their-hungry-neighbors/102348166/
More than 40 food pantries serve Hamilton County: http://www.indystar.com/story/news/local/hamilton-county/2017/06/01/how-hamilton-county-gardeners-helping-feed-their-hungry-neighbors/102348166/

Indiana Public Broadcasting/WFYI

Urban Ag Program Featured on Public Radio
In November 2016, our urban agriculture program was featured in a statewide radio news story by Jill Sheridan of Indiana Public Broadcasting/WFYI. The story highlighted food insecurity across Hamilton County and Indiana and the District’s unique approach to combating this issue through connecting gardens to pantries to increase donations of fresh vegetables. You can read or listen to the story online here: http://www.wfyi.org/news/articles/garden-to-pantry-indianas-fight-against-hunger-evolving

Garden to Pantry: How Indiana's Fight Against Hunger Is Evolving

The NACD eResource

Every Acre Counts - Hamilton County SWCD

HCSWCD Awarded NACD Grant

The HCSWCD greatly appreciates the support of the National Association of Conservation Districts for their $50,000 grant to use which is allowing us to launch our urban agriculture program. Thank you, NACD!