Hi Everyone,

I'll get the conversation going this week by using this forum as a place to reflect on our work together during these trying times.  I feel like my job, now more than ever, is to connect and share inspiration from across the network of people in this group, and to strengthen our focus and sense of purpose together to be proactive in the recovery for NYS.  For me, that sense of purpose comes down to food security efforts right now, with a long-term focus on adapting to climate change through gardening education.  So how does that translate to online and in-person training, and engaging a diverse set of volunteers through the fantastic work you all do?

First and foremost, it is about providing information in a format that is engaging and inspiring, with a common message.  During the pandemic, I've been trying to do that through the "Just Plant It, NY!" campaign of beginner gardening education on our website and facebook pages, and monthly webinars on Sustainable Landscapes Lunch & Learn Topics and Seed to Supper Webinars.  Also, through sharing the amazing online programming you all are doing through our newsletter, so we reach a wide audience. 

Someday, Cornell Garden-Based Learning hopes to hold in-person workshops again, on topics like sustainable Food Forest Trial Garden programs, but in the meantime we are planning a lot of online opportunities, including the upcoming virtual Ag In-Service, and growing our knowledge about really engaging online programming.  Please share what you and your volunteers have found most successful at this time - this is an opportunity to expand our reach to new groups and communities while many are still at home, and get many of our MGV on the same page as far as our resources are concerned.  Some of the highlights from the last few months for me:

 - Counties working through local libraries to stream horticulture to a larger audience, many low-cost, free or sliding scale opportunities

- Screening a permaculture movie statewide through Zoom

- Sharing our Cornell Garden-Based Learning Library Moodle Course with educators and volunteers to support our transition to remote volunteer training for over 30 people.

- A growing interest in the Seed to Supper program statewide

- A huge uptick in interest for our Permaculture Online Courses  - 200 people and counting!

Thank you for your continued work to adapt to these changing times with creativity and grace!  Thank you for being a part of this important work at this time.

Ashley