Working the Farm with Cultivate Kansas City

The Kansas City Oxfam Action Corps had the pleasure of participating in a Work the Farm day at the Gibbs Road Community Farm in Kansas City, KS. Including Lauren and myself, we had 6 volunteers helping with a variety of tasks to get the farm ready for the winter.

Emma & Cody, along with two other community volunteers,
separate garlic cloves for planting.

We were able to help Gibbs Road Community Farm plant multiple rows of garlic, seed microgreens in their greenhouse, and even unload hay bales during a well-timed delivery.

Lauren & her sister, along with other community volunteers,
plant seeds that will become tasty microgreens!

Cultivate Kansas City is a wonderful non-profit organization that works to get local, organic food in the hands of Kansas Citians, either by promoting farmers markets or teaching people to be urban farmers.

Sarah Dehart, part of the field crew at the Gibbs Road Community Farm,
teaches volunteers how to measure and correctly space the beds they're planting.

For more information on Cultivate Kansas City or volunteering at the Gibbs Road Community Farm, check out their website. And for more photos from this volunteer day, and other Cultivate Kansas City events, take a look-see at their Flickr stream.

Thank you so much for having the Oxfam Action Corps at your farm, Cultivate Kansas City! We had a great time getting our hands dirty!

Dig In! KC

The Kansas City Action Corps' newest organizer, Lauren, had the opportunity to attend a fundraiser for Cultivate Kansas City. Check out what she had to say about the event!

On Sunday, September 23^rd, I had the opportunity to attend Dig In!, KC, an annual fundraiser for Cultivate Kansas City.  Cultivate Kansas City is a non-profit organization that grows local food in addition to teaching the community tips on how to manage your own garden.  I was attending on behalf of Oxfam to make connections in the community and to support Cultivate Kansas City’s work.  Oxfam has introduced the Grow Method, which focuses on supporting local farmers and buying locally grown foods in order to be more sustainable.   

The event allowed for time in the beginning to shop at local farmers booths that had been invited to the event.  I took home a variety of different foods being sold including; basil, apples, okra, and salsa.  Everything I took home was delicious and I received more than what I would have paying the same at a grocery store.  After allowing time to shop and talk with the different farmers the event proceeded to the dinner prepared by chefs that use many of the ingredients that were supplied by the farmers at the booths.  The dinner included many courses of delicious, fresh food that were enjoyed under the stars at the Historic City Market. 

            

Oxfam supports local farmers in their initiative to lessen global hunger.  Cultivate Kansas City’s work is an important facet within the community and whose work not only affects the Kansas City community but the world. 

Update from the KC Oxfam Action Corps

This week, we had our second meeting and it was a great success! Not only did we have four wonderful and excited volunteers attend, but Oxfam America's Lead on Agricultural issues, Jim French, paid us a visit as well. Jim filled us all in on the GROW Method and how Oxfam America is planning to advocate it in conjunction with World Food Day (October 16th). We are planning some local events for this fall as well, which we'll post an update on in the near future. If you're not familiar with World Food Day, it is a day devoted to raising awareness about issues of hunger and food injustice across the globe. Check out World Food Day USA to learn more and see events going on all across the country.

While World Food Day will bring some exciting events in a couple months, we have an opportunity next weekend to get involved with the KC Action Corps now! On Saturday September 8th, we'll have a table set up at Green Fest at the Uptown Theater to raise awareness about Oxfam America and its current campaigns. Green Fest is an event that gives people inspiration and resources to begin living in a more environmentally friendly way, and introduces them to green products, businesses, and organizations. Activities include shopping, film screenings, speakers, and more! If you're interested in volunteering at this great event, send us an email at kansascity@oxfamactioncorps.org.



If you're not already on our mailing list, send us an email to get signed up, or check out our Facebook page for more information on meetings and upcoming events. We'd love to meet you!

Live the GROW Method Way

Live the GROW Method Way by Shayla Price

Hunger affects 1 in 7 people around the world. So, how can we work together to tackle global hunger? Oxfam International has created the GROW Method. Through every day simple tasks, we can fix the food system and create a better world for everyone.

Right now, our food system is broken. The way we produce food is hurting the environment. Agriculture accounts for nearly a third of global greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, climate change is influencing how small-scale farmers grow food. From farmers to grocers to consumers, we all play a role in mending the food system.

The GROW Method is part of the solution. Below are five easy ways you can get involved:

1. Save food

Create less waste by storing your food. Don’t throw away leftovers, instead be creative and try new recipes.

2. Buy seasonal

Energy is wasted when farmers grow out of season. Purchase fruits and vegetables that are in season.

3. Consume less meat and dairy

The production of beef uses a lot of water—a 500g packet of beef contains 6,810 liters of water. Instead of eating more meat, try swapping a dish or two with veggie meals.

4. Support small-scale farmers

Protect the 1.5 billion people living on small farms. When you shop, look out for Fair Trade products and brands.

5. Cook Smart

Conserve the heat. Try eating cold meals, such as salads or no bake cakes, to save energy.

We can change the world by changing how we live. To learn more about the GROW Method, visit: http://www.oxfam.org/en/grow/method. Let’s do it together!