Community Garden Magazine Issue Two October 2015 | Page 12

Tidbits of News! From the USDA 1) Farmers, Farmers Markets and local food systems of all kinds are getting a boost with new grants from the Agriculture Department. 2) The USDA and others are now setting their sights on the goal of reducing US food waste by half in the next fifteen years. 3) Two USDA Agencies are among the partners joining forces in efforts to conserve the habitat of an iconic pollinator—the Monarch butterfly. 4) Seeds from lettuce grown in the International Space Station were planted on Earth as a demonstration of the potential of partnerships and education. From ‘Gardens Alive!’ ONLINE Catalog Encouraging birds to visit your yard frequently has a variety of benefits including pest control, pollination, conservation and more. From ‘Johnny’s Selected Seeds’ ONLINE Catalog It is often overlooked that the vibrant colors from the height of harvest season can be preserved and enjoyed year-round. One of the easiest, thus earliest developed and still most commonly used method for preserving flowers is air-drying. If you’re interested in drying your own flowers, you likely already have all of the materials on hand, and have some place to do the drying. You may even have appropriate flowers growing in your own or nearby fields or garden beds. Donate to the American Community Gardening Association. All Donation sizes are Welcome! Have a Good Fall Harvest. 12