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Celebrating the 9th Season Opening of Community Garden
Celebrating the Ninth Season at the Land Alliance Roosevelt Community Garden Nine years of planting seeds have grown into something far beyond soil and harvests. Our Community Garden has become a vibrant place for learning, growing fresh, locally grown food, building community and caring for people, land and wildlife. The Garden gets better every year because of the support and engagement of our members and the surrounding community. The season has started with incredible momentum. We reached full capacity early, welcoming 12 new members, one new group and 28 veteran gardeners into our growing community. This level of enthusiasm reflects more than just an interest in gardening—it speaks to commitment, the resilience of our program and the strong desire of the community to connect with the land. Highlights of our 2026 spring activities : Theta Iota Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® Seed-starting workshop #gallery-1 { margin: auto; } #gallery-1 .gallery-item { float: left; margin-top: 10px; text-align: center; width: 50%; } #gallery-1 img { border: 2px solid #cfcfcf; } #gallery-1 .gallery-caption { margin-left: 0; } /* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes/media.php */ On Saturday, March 28th, we welcomed the Theta Iota Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® to the Garden for the first time. Their Enhance Our Environment, Home & Community Garden Committee, led by Co-Chair Tyra Abrahams, kicked off the season with a seed-starting workshop. They used upcycled materials such as egg cartons and takeout containers. The seedlings are being nurtured at home and will soon be transplanted into their plot. Earth Week Activities #gallery-2 { margin: auto; } #gallery-2 .gallery-item { float: left; margin-top: 10px; text-align: center; width: 33%; } #gallery-2 img { border: 2px solid #cfcfcf; } #gallery-2 .gallery-caption { margin-left: 0; } /* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes/media.php */ On Tuesday, April 14th, the Land Alliance, alongside Valley Stream Community Garden and Succotash Garden, participated in a panel discussion at Hofstra University titled “The Civic Benefits of Community Gardens”. The discussion highlighted how community gardens address food insecurity, build community resilience, connect neighbors and support wildlife and the environment. We are grateful to Professor J. Bennington and Hofstra University for recognizing the value and impact of community gardens and for hosting such an inspiring event. On Tuesday, April 22nd (Earth Day), volunteers Stacey, Jim and Mark spent the day enriching the soil in our donation plots—an important step in preparing for our planting day in May. We also extended our impact beyond the Garden by supporting hands-on learning and gardening activities for children at the Roosevelt Public Library by sharing seeds, soil and gardening tools. On Friday, April 24th, members of the Cerebral Palsy Association of Nassau County worked side by side to help prepare and care for their plot. Their energy and teamwork made a meaningful impact and reminded us how the Garden brings people together. We wrapped up our Earth Week celebration on Saturday, April 25th with our 9th Annual Earth Day Event and Season Kickoff at the Garden. Despite the threats of rain, approximately 50 participants helped steward the Garden plots. It was a wonderful way to close out the week. #gallery-3 { margin: auto; } #gallery-3 .gallery-item { float: left; margin-top: 10px; text-align: center; width: 33%; } #gallery-3 img { border: 2px solid #cfcfcf; } #gallery-3 .gallery-caption { margin-left: 0; } /* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes/media.php */ Annual “Big Planting Day” and Master Gardener Workshop #gallery-4 { margin: auto; } #gallery-4 .gallery-item { float: left; margin-top: 10px; text-align: center; width: 100%; } #gallery-4 img { border: 2px solid #cfcfcf; } #gallery-4 .gallery-caption { margin-left: 0; } /* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes/media.php */ On Saturday, May 16th, approximately 70 participants attended our vegetable gardening workshop led by Master Gardener Dr. Kathy Gaffney, and to help plant during our “Big Planting Day #gallery-5 { margin: auto; } #gallery-5 .gallery-item { float: left; margin-top: 10px; text-align: center; width: 33%; } #gallery-5 img { border: 2px solid #cfcfcf; } #gallery-5 .gallery-caption { margin-left: 0; } /* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes/media.php */ Thank you to everyone who participated and helped to make each event a success, and special thanks to the following organizations for their support: Atlantic Nursery (Freeport) Cerebral Palsy Association of Nassau County Cornell Cooperative Extension Nassau Hofstra University and Professor J. Bennington Lutheran Church of the Epiphany of Hempstead Roosevelt Historical Society Roosevelt Public Library Theta Iota Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® Valley Stream Community Garden To register for an upcoming event at the Garden, visit www.northshorelandalliance.org/events.
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Roosevelt Community Garden – Cultivating Good Food, Health and Inspiration
The Land Alliance’s commitment to education is evident in the diverse range of programs we hosted this year. While our organization’s roots and conservation history are deeply established on Long Island’s North Shore, we are dedicated to extending our mission across the region. This expansion includes initiatives such as our Water Education Program in local elementary schools, nature walks at local preserves and our eight-year partnership with Nassau County to establish a community garden in Roosevelt on Long Island’s south shore. The Roosevelt Community Garden has become far more than a space for cultivating food. It is a vital community resource that empowers people through education and volunteer opportunities while connecting them to nature. This year, Master Gardeners Kathy Gaffney and Reese Michaels from Cornell Cooperative Extension Nassau County led agricultural workshops on both efficient and sustainable growing and seed saving techniques. They also covered the importance of beneficial insects and native plants. Those are essential to the health of the Garden, its food production and our environment. To reinforce these teachings, we established native plantings such as milkweed throughout the garden. They provide essential habitat and food for monarch butterflies. Hands-on volunteer engagement was also offered through dedicated volunteer days and our Annual Earth Day event. In addition, the Garden served as a valuable space for college students to explore sustainable growing methods and gain hands-on experience. This summer, for example, students from Hofstra University and LaGuardia Community College volunteered at the Garden to help harvest food, which was then donated to a local food pantry. The Garden further served as a hub for community health education. The popular “Dining with Diabetes” workshop series (which was sold out) links the fresh produce grown in the garden to improved health outcomes. This four-part series runs from October 30th through November 20th with sessions held from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM at the Roosevelt Public Library. It demonstrates the vital link between land cultivation and community health. A sincere thank you is extended to all the dedicated volunteers whose tireless work ensures that this preserved plot of land remains a thriving, resilient community asset. The Garden underscores the powerful connection between conservation, cultivation and eight years of community commitment. Ultimately, transforming vacant land into community gardens is a powerful demonstration that protected land can be a cornerstone of both ecological health and community well-being. #gallery-6 { margin: auto; } #gallery-6 .gallery-item { float: left; margin-top: 10px; text-align: center; width: 50%; } #gallery-6 img { border: 2px solid #cfcfcf; } #gallery-6 .gallery-caption { margin-left: 0; } /* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes/media.php */ Planting Seeds with Succatash Gardens at Wawapek Greenhouse Furthering Fathering Organization at Our Earth Day Clean Up United Cerebral Palsy at Earth Day Roosevelt UFSD Educators at Earth Day Earth Day Thank you to Atlantic Nursery for their generous donation of plants for our Annual Planting Day in May Reese Michael leading the Square Foot Gardening Demonstration Professor Bennington generous donation of plants from Hofstra Greenhouse Land Alliance O’Neil Stewards giving a hand Master Gardener Kathy Gaffney leading Insect Workshop Annual Garlic Planting Event Gardeners enjoying their sweet potatoe harvest Sweet Potato Harvest Dining With Diabetes Workshop Second Week of the Workshop Native Plants in the Garden Vegetable Harvest
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The 2025 Season Has Begun at Our Community Garden
The 2025 growing season began long before the first signs of spring. In February, residents from throughout Nassau County began registering for raised-garden plots for the upcoming season (April – November). We are thrilled to see that many of last year’s garden members have returned, joined by some exciting new participants. We’re also proud to announce that all garden plots have been sold, setting the stage for a vibrant and productive season ahead. On March 28th, under the leadership of Darcy McDowell, Associate Director of Stewardship, and Carter Rogan, Volunteer Coordinator, volunteers and staff gathered at the Wawapek greenhouse to assist with starting seedlings. Crops such as tomatoes, collard greens, peppers and thyme were planted and will be transferred to the Garden during our Annual Planting Day in May. On April 25th, after rescheduling due to rain, we officially welcomed the season with our annual Earth Day event in the Garden. 30 dedicated volunteers joined us for a successful garden cleanup. From weeding to tidying up garden beds, the hard work and enthusiasm of the volunteers were instrumental in getting our community garden ready for the growing season. A heartfelt thank you goes out to everyone who contributed their time and energy—your support makes all the difference in the continued success of our garden! We hosted our Annual Square Foot Gardening demonstration and Annual Planting Day on May 10th. Led by Master Gardener Reese Michaels from Cornell Cooperative Extension of Nassau County, participants learned how to divide their garden space into 1-foot by 1-foot squares, each dedicated to a specific plant. This method is ideal for maximizing space, conserving water and minimizing weeding. After the demonstration, garden members dug in by planting the seedlings started in our greenhouse. We’re looking forward to another bountiful season of food, learning and community, never forgetting the vital connection between protecting land and our food sources.
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Enhancements at the Roosevelt Community Garden
Whole Kids Foundation Garden Grant We are incredibly grateful to the Whole Kids Foundation for their generous $3,000 donation to support our efforts at the Roosevelt Community Garden. This funding has allowed us to create a sensory and vegetable gardening area for children ages 2-11, where they can plant, explore and pick freely. This new area features child-sized raised beds for easy access to plants, along with gardening tools and toys and materials for educational programs and other gardening resources. Next spring, we look forward to enhancing this area with native plants that offer different textures, colors and scents, further engaging children in the garden. The enthusiasm we’ve witnessed from the kids is inspiring. Thank you again to the Whole Kids Foundation for supporting our mission to cultivate the next generation of gardeners! NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets Grant With the support of a $13,000 grant from NYS Ag and Markets Program, we purchased solar-powered equipment for the Roosevelt Community Garden. The solar-powered lighting extends our operational hours from 6 am to 9 pm, while a solar generator allows us to expand our programming and power electronic devices like gardening tools, cell phones and audio-visual equipment for workshops. This addition significantly enhances the garden, creating a more welcoming atmosphere for all visitors. Families can now gather for evening activities, such as our recent multicultural potluck supper on September 21st. This initiative reflects our commitment to fostering a vibrant, safe and inclusive community space where everyone can connect with nature and one another. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all who contributed to this project, ensuring that our garden continues to thrive as a central hub for learning and collaboration.
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Expanded Programming at the Roosevelt Community Garden
Roosevelt Community Garden Back to School Wellness Nature Walk On September 12th, the Land Alliance hosted a successful Back to School Wellness Nature Walk in partnership with Dr. Suanne Kowal-Connelly, MD, FAAP, Director of Pediatric Clinical Quality at Harmony Healthcare LI. Twenty attendees, including 10 enthusiastic youth from the Roosevelt and Freeport areas, gathered at the Norman J. Levy Preserve. Led by dedicated Land Alliance volunteers Wendy and Peter Martin, participants explored the trails, learning about various plants and wildlife, along with the benefits of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. On November 16th, we will host a wellness event at the Roosevelt Public Library. This event will equip parents with practical solutions for a healthier lifestyle as the holiday season approaches. Attendees can look forward to a panel discussion led by nutrition and health experts, as well as engaging in cooking and planting activities for kids. The primary goal of these events is to engage more youth in outdoor activities while highlighting the importance of healthy eating, staying active and understanding the value of a healthy lifestyle for overall well-being.
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