* This Spring 2024
Learn About Native Plants & How to Grow them
Learn about edible native plants such as fruit and nut trees, berries, greens, herbs, mushrooms and flowers; environmental needs such as soil composition, sunlight vs shade and plant spacing; participate in landscape design plant seeds and starter plants; and develop educational graphics for the garden. There will be four learning and planting sessions Monday evenings at the Coit Road Farmers’ Market. Participants will also receive plants for personal use. Students, teachers, families and other community members are invited to register at the Coit Road Farmers’ Market, by calling 440-376-9448 or by email at coit.twitter2@gmail.com.
Classes at the Coit Road Farmers’ Market are Wednesdays 5:30 pm June 26, July 22, Aug 27, Sept 24, Oct 27 add Nov 17
There is NO COST, for the sessions are funded by grants from the Cuyahoga County Soil and Water District and the Cuyahoga County Arts Council. For more information see: http://www.coitmarket.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/CAC-Grant-Community-Flier0324.pdf
USDA Beginning Farmer Apprenticeship Program
The Coit Road Farmers’ Market with the support of Central State University Extension is training beginning farmers (BFs) over 40 weeks that started April 2022, 2023 and 2024. Participants can register at anytime and continue classes into the following year.
Program participants will receive one year of support in growing their farm business, including the following benefits at no charge:
- Over 60 hours of hands-on training from CSU Extension on all aspects (growing, planning and business skills) of operating a market produce farm.
- Access to a demonstration vegetable plot to apply skills they learned to grow and sell produce.
- Support in developing a farm business plan, accessing USDA grant and loan programs and finding land at the end of the program.
- A certificate from Central State University Extension following completion of Year 1 of the program identifying curriculum and classes attended.
Program Requirements:
- Participation in classes which will run from April through November.
- Completion of class assignments, such as conducting soil tests, completing business plan, etc.
- Commitment to participate in a demonstration plot for an additional 2 hours/week during season to apply what is learned in the classes.
The incubator farm will offer the beginning farmers the use of seeds, plants, supplies, tools and equipment to grow and sell at the Farmers’ Market. The apprenticeships are offered at no cost to adult members (at least 18 years old) of socially disadvantaged/ underserved groups interested in generating income from part-time farming. You can complete an application from the link below and email to coit.twitter2@gmail.com.
Fast-Track-Farmer-Coit-Application-2024
EC Grows Community Garden
Gladys Walcott has led the 1 acre community garden across Coit Ave from the Market since 2007. Plots are available to community members for a small fee. https://www.ecgrowscg.org For inqueries or to rent a space, please email Gladys at:
gwalcott1@att.net
The Food Strong Learning Garden
The nonprofit Foodstrong has installed a learning garden across the street from the market. This is a space for community members to come and learn about planting a garden at home, the importance of soil, how to compost, and the garden provides an outdoor gathering space for community members. Children from the community can attend the summer gardening program and learn about gardening as well as nutrition and entrepreneurship. This is also the site the site of the soon to be built mobility garden which will offer veterans and those with mobility issues who cannot stoop or bend down an oppertunity to experience gardneing as well as demonstrate different styles of garden beds that they can build at home.
Please email Sara Continenza for more information: info@foodstrong.org
Food Forest & High Tunnel
The Market is using three city lots on Coit Ave to develop a food forest. With the support of Cuyahoga Soil and Water District the Market nut trees and berry bushes native to the area. Additional planting is planned in 2023 with a grant from the Cuyahoga Arts Council. A donation from Green Corp at the Cleveland Botanical Gardens enabled the installation of a 20 X 50 high tunnel. The high tunnel is currently used in the Fast Track Beginning Farmer program to demonstrate extended season growing.
