Goodness Grows News

Not sure where the summer went, or how it is October already, but we sure do have a lot to tell you! It's been ages since we have sent out a newsletter to fill everyone in on all the goodness we have been growing. So here goes...

This summer was full to the brim! We enjoyed a mission trip visit from Canfield Presbyterian. We spent time out in the community blueberry picking, peach picking, and apple picking as well as shopping for supplies and helping various community members. There was plenty of planting, weeding, watering, and harvesting throughout this successful CSA season, which concluded last Thursday! Of course, our crew also spent time making jam and catnip toys as well as taking care of the building, the property, and the woods. One day even brought the adventure of clearing out our stream that was blocked due to the accumulation of storm debris. We had some birthday celebrations and celebrations to say goodbye to our beloved interns - always the saddest days of summer. Pastor Mike brought in a feast from his smoker for all of us to enjoy together. Some of our group made the twice monthly trip into Canfield all summer to work out at Fitness For All. We've learned and grown and had so much fun with instructor Bethany that we are continuing the visits through the fall.

Throughout the summer and now into the fall, we have been all over the area selling Jungle Jam, Juicy Jam, catnip toys, and GG t-shirts. Big thanks to the Youngstown Flea, the Columbiana Wine Fest, the Columbiana Beer Fest, the Makers Market at the Roundabout, and Canfield's Fall Market on the Green. Those community event days are awesome! We are very much looking forward to being back in Columbiana this weekend, October 7 from 12-8pm at the Witch Walk on Main.

Last week, we took a trip out to ill will brewing on Rt. 14, next to Harbel's Market. We spent the day learning from the fabulous staff as we get ready for our upcoming fundraiser there. Check out all the smiles below from our amazing day. Details about our collaboration further down this email.

As you can see, it has been a busy but awesome season for us here at GG. We hope you've had just as much fun and growth as we've had!

We can't wait until you return! Have a great year!

Brussels Sprouts. Mexican Gherkin Cucumbers. Strawberries. Fennel. Tomatoes. Evi Basil. Leeks. Fresh Salsa. Zucchini Bread. Raw Sunflower Seeds. These are just some of the fresh grown produce we harvested and value added items we made this year in North Lima. It was a very delicious season!

Our subscribers also enjoyed the fruits of the labor of other local farms. These are farms and markets where we bought seedlings that we then planted or where we purchased special items we don't grow, like sweet corn and peaches. Ortz's Crooked Creek Farm. Huffman Fruit Farm. Harvey's Garden. McMaster Farms. Windy Knoll Greenhouse. Anguili's. Rhodes. Sutherin's Greenhouse. Dillon Fruit Farm. Our area is so lucky to have so many talented and dedicated growers and farmers! Check them out - you won't be sorry!

Be on the lookout for CSA 2024 information. We will get that sent out in time for the Christmas shopping season. And to all of our 2023 CSA subscribers - THANK YOU for your support and for being an important part of the GG family. We appreciate you!

Get ready for an enchanting day of festive fun at the "Witch Walk on Main,"
thanks to the Columbiana Area Chamber of Commerce!

We are so excited to be a part of the fun this Saturday, October 7, as downtown
Columbiana is transformed into a captivating Halloween wonderland up and down Main Street. As the Chamber of Commerce says, "Revel in the lively camaraderie as Halloween vendors,
food trucks, and unique contests come to life! Come along with your most creative costume for the contest, prepare your best witch cackle, and master your pumpkin carving skills for
a day packed with thrilling activities."

We'll be there with special Halloween themed catnip toys along with an array of
Jungle Jams and Juicy Jams. Stop out and share your best witch cackle with us!

Just a few weeks until our Giveaway day up in the warehouse. We have paused collecting household items and clothes BUT if you have COATS to donate, we would love to take those!

Help spread the word that the community is invited on October 21 between 9:30am & 1:00pm to get what they need. No income requirements. No proof of residency. We're here to help.

Did you know that GG is licensed through the state of Ohio as a Department of Developmental Disabilities service provider, offering training for adults with disabilities? We're paid for this work by the state and can use that money to pay staff, buy supplies, go on field trips, develop programming, etc. But, we have to raise money separately (by selling items, having fundraisers, and through generous supporters who donate) to pay our clients for all their work here. Our crew is always busy - caring for the property, farming, cleaning inside, making jam & catnip toys, setting up for special events, and much more. They are definitely a bunch worth raising money for, for sure!

This year, we are thrilled to be trying a fun new fundraiser
- Drink Collab w/ill will brewing! Goodness Grows has partnered with this amazing local brewery to host a fundraising event! Together we've begun crafting a brand new brew that will be launched at 6pm on October 28, 2023. Join us and enjoy our new creation - the purchase of which will raise money to benefit our clients and program.

Free Jungle Jam & Juicy Jam samples. ill will beverages. Guest bartenders. Food. 50/50. Halloween lottery tree. And more! Fun for all ages at this can't-miss event of the season!

Weather permitting, ill will has a gorgeous outdoor space to enjoy that's equipped with fun items like corn hole, fire pits, and chess. Harbel's Market plans to have a hayride running that evening as well. Beginning that night and continuing for the following several weeks, $1.00 of every pour of their popular Clipper beer will also be donated to Goodness Grows! Come out to have fun and support local!!

September is one of our favorite times of the year because it means the return of our friends from area schools! This fall we are happy to have the Middle School and High School classes from Crestview and the High School class from Leetonia working with us. They have been a huge help with getting peppers ready for jam, doing some transplanting, caring for our mushroom logs, watering, weeding, working on the Giveaway prep in the warehouse, and so much more! Our crew loves having these students and staff here with us each week. Everyone benefits from learning together, laughing together, and working on new tasks together.

Available at Reach for the STARS in Salem, in Columbiana at
Living Luxe Designs, and here at GG. Plus, our jams will soon be stocked at ill will brewing!

Jungle Jam: - $7 - Blueberry Jalapeno, Hot, Peach Habanero,

Cherry Habanero, Pineapple Habanero, Dragon

Juicy Jam: - $7 - Cherry Lemonade, Cranberry Orange

Jam sales are our main source of income allowing us to pay our clients for all their work.
As a result, all jams sold are extremely important to us and very appreciated.
Your support truly keeps our programs running! Thank you!

We only had two clients with us today for a day filled with fun. We started with apple picking at the home of a new friend that we met through the Columbiana Clipper Sipper. Thanks, Mick!! Then we enjoyed lunch at Pizza Hut, where our crew was all smiles. We ended with a visit to the always gorgeous Harbel's Market where our friend Tracy gave us some beautiful peppers from Harvey's Garden to use in our jams. Thanks, Tracy!! We recommend you take a visit to Harbel's any Saturday this month to get your pumpkins, enjoy a hayride, and check out all the local wares inside the market! And, remember the hayride will be running during our fundraiser festivities at ill will on October 28 as well!

Goodness Grows is a 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! Contact us anytime if you'd like to volunteer or learn more about what we do.

Email: jlynch02@gmail.com
Website: https://www.goodnessgrows4all.org/
Location: 2310 W South Range Rd North Lima OH
Phone: 330-549-9408
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GoodnessGrows4all/