Vallejo People's Garden 

Our Fall Harvest on October 25th was not only a time to celebrate with friends, family, and community on the bounty the VPG has worked to achieve, it was also a fundraiser to raise funds for our outdoor classroom. At our Fall Harvest was Irma Widjojo, writer of our local newspaper, Vallejo Times-Herald. She asked VPG's Garden Coordinator, Vilma Aquino, how much the VPG would need to build the outdoor classroom. Without really knowing the exact amount, Vilma replied $3,000. We didn't raise that amount at the Fall Harvest but at the end of the day, when Vilma was checking her emails, she opened up an email from an organization she and VPG volunteer, Darren Goon, had written a grant to. It read: 'Dear Ms. Aquino, I am pleased to inform you that the Garden of Success Outdoor Classroom was selected to receive a $3,000 grant from Strong Foundation...' Can you believe it!!! Thank you Strong Foundation !!!

EXTRA EXTRA. Read all about it. Our Fall Harvest Celebration made front page news on our local Vallejo Times-Herald. http://www.timesheraldonline.com/ci_19195670 Homepage of Vallejo Times-Herald Garden Event Raises Money on Vallejo Times-Herald Article on Vallejo Times-Herald

Come join us at our Fall Celebration Tuesday, October 25, 2011 from 4-7pm Vallejo People's Garden 1055 Azuar Avenue, Mare Island , CA 94592 * Halloween Costume Contest (adults included!)--prize for best costume *Children's garden and art activities *Mexican food and bake sale--a fundraiser for the future workshop gazebo *Autumn workshop on plant dyes using local plants from the Vallejo neighborhood, taught by Katharine Jolda of Felt the Sun For directions, click here: http://youtu.be/gALiu_6lAgo

A wheelbarrow! Heartfelt thanks to our friends Cagwin & Dorward for donating this beautiful wheelbarrow. It will be put to good use!

Within six months of our first year, we've harvested over 1,000 lbs of organic vegetables such as tomatoes, squash, zucchini, collard greens, cabbages, broccoli, lemon cucumbers, melons, basil, green beans, kale, rhubarb, onions, potatoes, radishes, and sugar snap peas. This would cost the average consumer in Vallejo, California $3/lb. Think about it: the community groups we've donated to have had a cumulative savings of about $3,000 in food costs. In these trying times, growing your own food can be a significant savings to your budget.