Goodness Grows News

September 2020

Newsletter # 41

A Season of Growing

This year's growing season has been so much better than last year and we have been enjoying every minute of it. The CSA shares have been plentiful and have included a wide array of goodies. Last year's tomato crop was dismal but this year our tomato baskets overflow, as you can see from the photos. In fact, we have so many tomatoes that the CSA subscribers will be getting homemade spaghetti sauce next week. Our crew is pretty excited about it! We have also been able to take tomatoes and a variety of other veggies to one of the local food pantries so that more folks can enjoy the fresh harvest.

Juicing the Tomatoes

Community Supported Agriculture

Big thanks to all our subscribers! You have all been fantastic to work with and we have enjoyed pick-up days and email/text chats with you! Thank you so much for your help and generosity in donating jars/lids/rings for our jam. You are appreciated! We hope you enjoyed your shares and picked up some new favorite recipes and ideas. We will send out CSA 2021 info in late winter/early spring. We would love to have our current subscribers join in again, and we invite new subscribers to jump on board. If you have any thoughts or ideas about what you'd like to see in next year's CSA, please let us know. So hard to believe that the 2020 season is almost at the end with only two more Thursdays left!

Therapy Bunnies are Superheroes

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We were so excited to spend the last day of August with our friends from F5RS Bunnies in Baskets - Therapy Bunnies. Butterscotch, Eggnog, Little Man, and Violet came to Goodness Grows to hold a virtual race. They all got to be superheroes as they raced to raise money for MIB Agents, a leading pediatric osteosarcoma 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to Making It Better for patients, caregivers, doctors, and researchers with the goal of less toxic, more effective treatments and a cure for this aggressive bone cancer.


This virtual race with the F5RS Therapy Bunnies was to raise awareness and donations for MIB Agents. Big thanks to F5RS for letting us be a part of this wonderful event!! F5RS, one of our favorite local 501c3 non-profits, is a no kill rabbit, small pet, parrot rescue and sanctuary.

Butterfly Releases

We have had another great year with caterpillars and butterflies. Our crew have kept busy finding caterpillars, harvesting their favorite foods, watching them form their chrysalises, and then seeing them emerge as butterflies. We all love observing the changes and then releasing the butterflies and seeing them fly away to lay eggs that will become the next crop of caterpillars.

Ohio Victory Gardens

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We had a visit to the OSU Extension Office in Canfield for a free seed giveaway. We are excited about planting turnip, beet, and radish seeds for the fall growing season. When they are harvested, we will take them to local food pantries to share with the community. Big thanks to the Extension Office and to all those who so generously made this project possible!


From their website: Ohio Victory Gardens ~ "Victory Gardens originated during World War I, an answer to a severe food shortage at the time. People were encouraged to find any usable space, plop in some seeds and contribute homegrown fruits, vegetables and herbs to the effort. The idea was wildly successful, growing an army of amateur gardeners and serving to boost morale and patriotism. While we’re not in wartime, we can all commiserate the past few months have been tough, mood-boosters are welcomed. So the Ohio Department of Agriculture and Ohio State University are reviving the effort and once again inspiring people to get their hands dirty, realize the fruits of their labor and share with others if inspired. We believe a good day in the garden is good for the soul."

The Youngstown Flea

We'll be at the Flea Saturday, September 12, with Jungle Jam and Juicy Jam! Rachel and the crew just made fresh batches of Peach Habanero Jungle Jam and Peach Lemonade Juicy Jam (using Huffman Fruit Farm peaches) and Blackberry Jalapeno Jungle Jam (from our own blackberries) this week. Get 'em while they last! We also have Hot, Pineapple Habanero, Strawberry Jalapeno, and Strawberry Lemonade.



The Youngstown Flea

Saturday, September 12 from 9am-3pm

Next to the Covelli Centre, 110 Freeman Alley in Youngstown

Come enjoy fun music, free yoga, food trucks, art/artists, antiques and repurposed furniture, vintage clothing & collectibles, jewelry, candles, reclaimed metals/wood, apparel, specialty drink vendors, farmers market & produce and more. Free admission and on-site parking.

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Goodness Grows is looking forward to taking part in Columbiana Uncorked on Saturday, October 3, 2020, 5-10pm at Firestone Farms, 101 Town Center Ave in Columbiana, OH!

Hosted by Columbiana Uncorked, Columbiana Area Tourism Bureau and Firestone Farms.

Join us for an evening of fun featuring:

* Ohio Wineries

* Juried arts & craft vendors

* Entertainment by:
Anthony Horvath 5-6:30pm; The Conkle Brothers 6:30-8pm; Leanne Binder 8-10pm

* Delicious food

* Outdoor tented event (held rain or shine)

Tickets are $25 in advance. Must be 21 yrs+ to participate. Purchase now at Columbiana Uncorked. Includes: 10 tasting tickets, 1 commemorative glass & tasting passport. $1 sample and $5 glass tickets available for purchase.

Uncorked will adhere to CDC, State and local Health Dept. guidelines for Covid-19, including mask, social distancing, and sanitizing mandates.

Funds raised benefit the Columbiana Area Tourism Bureau, a 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to the preservation of Columbiana’s unique heritage and sustainable tourism designed to contribute to the area’s economic growth. For more information, please call the CATB at 330 482-2282, email Info@TourColumbianaOhio.com, or visit www.TourColumbianaOhio.com.

*If Uncorked is cancelled, refunds will be given upon request minus a $5 processing fee.

Ways to Support GG

* Online Shopping ~ Just use Amazon Smile - choose Goodness Grows as your charity of choice.

* Volunteering ~ Give of your time and get back lots of love & smiles!

* Donating Items ~ We are always in need of items like basic jam making supplies such as regular 8oz. canning jars, lids, sugar, and white vinegar.

* Charitable Giving ~ As a small non-profit, Goodness Grows depends upon generous supporters who give monetary support. A contribution to Goodness Grows is tax-deductible, to the extent allowed by law. Your donations help us to continue our mission of working with people of all abilities.

Check out our website & Facebook page to learn more!

Goodness Grows is a faith-based 501(c)3 non-profit operating out of Common Ground Church Community. Our mission is to cultivate personal, social, and community growth through gardening, education, and opportunity for people of all abilities. We are working to improve people's lives through social and therapeutic gardening practices. We'd love for you to join us!

Create. Cultivate. Thrive.