VINES

As part of VINES' 10th Anniversary, we have launched a campaign to build 20 gardens by 2020. This expansion would not be made possible without the funding through a grant from the Conrad and Virginia Klee Foundation. With volunteer help, we were able to build two new community gardens this fall. We built a garden on Park Street, on the West Side of Binghamton. We also built a garden in Johnson City on Sherman Street,  our first garden outside of the City of Binghamton.

Our gardens, continue to be built with more volunteers, more support, and in less time. Garden plot rentals are already being inquired at both of the new locations, and are already proving to be a valued community space.

Other planning is underway with our development and expansion of our community garden efforts. This includes Spring 2018 garden builds. Additionally, VINES is launching a Community Garden Proposal Application Process. This will help streamline the efforts of VINES to build gardens where they are needed, and where the community drive is there! If you're interested in proposing a garden project in your neighborhood, you can sign up to learn more information here.

We're so proud to be partnering with communities and agencies beyond Binghamton and could not have done this without our dedicated volunteers and community members. Thanks for your continued support since our first garden build in 2007.

—VINES Staff and Board

Introducing VINES' Green Thumb Workshop Series 2017
Are you interested in gardening, have a plot at a VINES community garden, or just want to learn about growing food in a small space? Come to one of our workshops and learn the basics for planning your garden, seed starting, how to begin composting, or learn about our Farm Share program.

All workshops are free and open to the public.
A donation of $10 is suggested.
Registration is required as space is limited. To register for VINES workshops please visit vinesgardens.org/events or call 607-218-2043

VINES and First Ward Action Council partner to build new garden on Front Street
New garden location is 250 Front Street Binghamton, within the Binghamton Gateway Homes community

VINES and First Ward Action Council are partnering to build a community garden in the Binghamton Gateway Homes Community, at 250 Front Street.  Volunteers came together November 19th to construct raised bed gardens and fill them with soil and compost.  A community garden is developed and managed by community members to provide space for people to grow their own food.  The Front Street Community Garden will have 20 raised garden beds available 2017 growing season for a $20 rental fee. Priority for garden plot sign-ups will go to those living on Front St and the surrounding side streets.

Anyone interested in renting a bed at the garden or in helping to build the garden is encouraged to come to the Saturday workday. To sign-up to volunteer please call/text us at 607-205-8108 or email us at info@vinesgardens.org or rsvp on facebook. Light refreshments and lunch will be provided.

Photo: Some of the dozens of volunteers that helped construct the garden.

VINES is now accepting pieces for the 5th Annual Coffee Bag Silent Auction. This event is a chance for your art, craft, trade or business to be featured and up for bid at your favorite Court St businesses Laveggio Roasteria, Chroma Cafe & Bakery, Gennarelli's Flower Shop, and The Loft at 99. Your talents will raise funds for VINES gardens and youth employees.

The challenge is to create an item that features burlap in some way. Burlap is a fantastic medium for creating art or crafts. You can sew it, paint it, upholster with it, put things in it, and more.

Here's how it works for participating artists:

Step 1: Sign up on our form by clicking HERE or visit Laveggio Roasteria, 101 Court St to sign up. Don’t know what you’re making – no problem! We just like to get an idea of who is participating each year.

Step 2: Purchase a $6 burlap coffee bag from Laveggio Roasteria or call VINES at 607-205-8108 to schedule a time to get one.

Step 3: Get those creative juices flowing! (pssst.. check out google or pinterest for ideas)

Step 4: Submit your piece by November 5th @ 1pm.  They may be delivered to the VINES office, 42 Chenango St, Monday–Friday 9am-5:30pm (call us at 607-205-8108 to confirm) or to Laveggio on Saturday November 5th between 9am-1pm.

Step 5: On the day of the event – November 12th 3-5:30pm – people will come and bid on your creation and raise money to support VINES’ gardens!!

VINES is now taking applications for community garden plots for the 2016 season. Community gardens are located throughout Binghamton, with different bed sizes and garden features in each. Check out our Community Gardens page on our website to learn more about each garden. Attached is the Community Garden Plot Application. Please submit a complete application to us and we will put you in contact with the site coordinator.
VINES Community Gardens

Laurel Ave. Community Garden (128 Laurel Ave. Binghamton, NY) Westside
Pine Street Community Garden (67 Pine St. Binghamton, NY) Downtown
Corbett Ave. Community Garden (26 Corbett Ave. Binghamton, NY) Southside
Columbus Park Community Garden (26 Columbus Park East. Binghamton, NY) Downtown
Liberty Street Community Garden (79 Liberty St. Binghamton, NY) Northside
Gregory Lane Community Garden (9 Gregory Ln. Binghamton, NY) First Ward 
Mather Street Community Garden (26 Mather St. Binghamton, NY) Westside

Affiliate Gardens

Salvation Army Community Garden (530 State Street, Binghamton, NY) Northside
Phelps Park Community Garden (60 Bevier Street, Binghamton, NY) Northside

—

VINES is an organization committed to developing a sustainable and just community food system. We do this by bringing together diverse groups of people, with a focus on youth development, to establish community gardens, urban agriculture and community green spaces. We strive to develop and beautify urban sites and empower community members of all ages and abilities.

For more information:  www.vinesgardens.org

VINES and Laveggio Roasteria are seeking artists and crafters to create
functional or artistic items from recycled burlap coffee bags to raise
funds for urban gardens and youth empowerment in Binghamton. The challenge
is to create something creative that features the burlap in some way, which
in previous years has ranged from handbags to furniture to paintings and
more. Submissions of items due the week of November 1st. Items will be
featured in a silent auction at the VINES Coffee Bag Silent Auction
Fundraiser on Saturday, November 7th 3pm-5:30pm at Laveggio Roasteria. All
proceeds raised will benefit VINES.
 
Burlap coffee bags are for sale $6/bag at Laveggio Roasteria, 101 Court St,
Binghamton during regular store hours Monday – Friday 7:30-4:00 and
Saturdays 9:00-1:00. Burlap Coffee Bags come to Laveggio from all over the
world carrying 120-150 pounds of unroasted coffee beans.
 
VINES (Volunteers Improving Neighborhood Environments, Inc.) is a 501(c)(3)
non-profit corporation that organized in 2007 to create and sustain
community gardens in the Binghamton area. VINES contributes to a
sustainable and just community food system by bringing together diverse
groups of people, with a focus on youth development, to establish community
gardens, urban agriculture and community green spaces. We strive to develop
and beautify urban sites and empower community members of all ages and
abilities. For more information visit www.vinesgardens.org.