Don’t forget to join us today – Friday, May 1st – at 2pm on ZOOM for our virtual Informational Session! Learn more about this program that provides a hands-on, lab-based curriculum to prepare young adults for a career in biotech – and how to apply to be a student in the upcoming class!

It’s spring, and even though it’s the zombie apocalypse out there, we have people to feed! So what to plant? What crops will produce the most food? With the most calories? And the most beneficial nutrients? With the best storage capacity? In the least amount of time?

To find out, register for Backyard Growers‘ Gardening for the Zombie Apocalypse on-line workshop, which will take place on Tuesday, May 5 from 9-10:30 AM.

Your workshop fee of $20 will help support our urgent zombie apocalypse work in the community. You’ll receive an overview on how to:

🌿 Plan a small urban garden for the greatest yield in terms of calories and amounts of veggies

🌿 Maximize small growing spaces with the square foot gardening method and succession planting

🌿 Sheet mulching and container gardening to grow food anywhere

🌿 Harvest water, save seeds, find free local growing resources, and be a general DIY garden ninja

🌿 Cooperate with the humans around you to support yourself and others

🌿 Kill zombies with gardening implements

Click here to purchase a ticket.

LEAP for Education is still currently planning to run a FREE 2020 Summer Internship Program for Gloucester High School Students (and students from other surrounding towns)!

Work virtually or live with a company where you will gain important workplace skills

Start to build a resume for college and future endeavors

Receive school credit and a salary or stipend

Regularly scheduled virtual workplace skills workshops on topics such as job interviewing, job hunting, and resume writing

For more information, to set up an interview to discuss your interests, or to register, please email JoAnn Leavitt, Program Coordinator, at jleavitt@leap4ed.org

STUDENTS: MAKE GREAT USE OF YOUR TIME THIS SUMMER! APPLY NOW!

Interested in learning more about Gloucester Biotechnology Academy? Do you know a high school senior or recent grad that is looking for their next move – but isn’t sure where to start?

Join us from your own home on Friday, May 1st as Academy instructors hold our first VIRTUAL Informational Session. Held on ZOOM from 2p – 3p, instructors will be live with details on the program, information on how to apply, and answers for your questions during a live Q&A.

See the invite below, and reach out to Ashley Destino at ashley.destino@gmgi.org with any questions.

In response to COVID-19, we’re excited to bring you our annual Early Seedling Sale in virtual format, with contact-free curbside pick-up. Visit our Online Shop to pick from a selection of great organic early spring seedlings grown by our friends at Cedar Rock Gardens, now available for purchase.

Seedlings at the start of their journey

The selection includes tasty treats like broccoli 🥦, brussels sprouts, kale 🥬, cabbage, onions 🧅, swiss chard, and more! (Look for late spring seedlings like tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, basil, and more, available in May!) DEADLINE FOR ORDERS is Thursday, April 23, at noon.

The fine print: Pick-up will take place on Friday, April 24, in front of Maritime Gloucester at 23 Harbor Loop. We will send you an email with your specific pick-up time based on alphabetical order.

THANK YOU to Maritime Gloucester for supporting our community, hosting our pick-up operations, and helping us keep our gardeners safe 💚 👊🏽

While working from home, Academy staff are still reviewing applications, holding interviews via Zoom and accepting students into the next Gloucester Biotechnology Academy class! Don’t wait, space is limited and class spots are filling up – APPLY TODAY!

This is a chance to gain the skills you need to start a career in the exciting field of biotech.  After six months of intensive, hands-on lab skills work and training at the Academy’s state-of-the-art teaching facility in Blackburn Center, you’ll have the opportunity to earn a three-month, paid internship at a biotech company in Boston/Cambridge/the North Shore.  This is a unique and fulfilling experience, don’t miss out!

More information, as well as the application, can be found on our website: gmgi.org/apply.  You can also reach out to Lead Teacher, Elizabeth Wing for more information at elizabeth.wing@gmgi.org.

Backyard Growers has launched a blog series to help Gloucester residents learn how to grow their own food from the comfort of their own home during the current public health crisis. Check it out here, and dive into the first three posts:

Start here…

I’ve Been Told That Spring Isn’t Canceled

Discover:

• Why growing your own food matters more than ever during a public health crisis
• What Backyard Growers is doing for the community during this challenging time to help increase food access and self-sufficiency
•  What capacity we still have in our community and backyard garden programs for the 2020 growing season
• How you can get involved

Then read…

I Want a Garden Something Fierce, But…

Discover:

• Tips and tricks for gardening with limited resources, everywhere from raised garden beds and containers to front steps and windowsills

Then graduate to…

Stop Fooling Around and Tell Me Where To Get Soil, Compost, and Lumber!

Discover:

•  Where to get soil and compost to make your veggies grow like gangbusters!
•  Source untreated lumber for raised garden beds
• How to have a garden built FOR you, and gift one to a local family or senior in need

Tune in to the Backyard Growers blog and follow us on Facebook for more regular how-to guides on gardening during the COVID-19 crisis.