DEEP ROOTS PROJECT LAUNCHES EDIBLE GARDEN GIVE AWAY TO PROMOTE ORGANIC LANDSCAPING!
RIVER FOREST, Illinois – Oak Park/River Forest-based, not-for-profit Deep Roots Project, hosts a ribbon-cutting event to celebrate the installation of its first edible garden winner, Trailside Museum of Natural History in River Forest.
Deep Roots Project’s (DRP) mission is to educate, raise awareness and inspire the community to grow their own food and reduce toxins in the environment. To expand awareness in the community and promote edible, toxic-free landscaping, DRP was awarded a $10,000 grant for ten Inspiration Edible Gardens from the Entrepreneur Leaders in Philanthropy Fund (ELPP)! ELPP is a giving group of the Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation.
The event was held in the beautiful nature play area and patio gardens at the Trailside Museum. Guests were able to enjoy delicious organic food and raw juices from food sponsors Sugar Beet Coop and HERE Foods while
listening to live music from local musicians Buzz Hunter and Will Schreiber who led the group in a sing along with an original song (Gonna Grow Our Own) written specifically for the event!
ACTIVITIES
Creative kids activities included bean “See Me Sprout” Seed Starter craft using repurposed tennis ball containers and construction paper to make seed starter gardens that will sprout in 3-4 days. And, “Know Your Insects” make your own insect stamp headbands complete with antennae.
Community partners Entrepreneur Leaders in Philanthropy, River Forest Sustainability Commission, Green Community Connections, Midwest Pesticide Action Center, One Earth Film Festival, dig right in landscaping, Wild Ones, and Go Green Oak Park were also present to share information and network with the crowd.
SPEAKERS
The program included speeches from an impressive array of passionate, ‘health and environment’ advocates including host Briana Villarrubia, Deep Roots Project Coordinator and speakers Cathy Aducci, River Forest President; Sue Crothers, River Forest Sustainability Commission; Susan Dombro, Director Trailside Museum; Dr. Asar Hapi, Chiropractic and Naturopathic Holistic Physician and David Murphy, Deep Roots Project Director.
Dr. Asar Hapi explained that he has a rare condition in which doctors told him he would not see his 50th birthday. Upon receiving this diagnosis, he immediately explored other options including a natural, organic lifestyle, became a holistic physician, and now treats long-term patients with “terminal” illnesses. He will be celebrating his 69th birthday this week!
Emotional closing remarks from DRP Director, David Murphy reiterated the importance of their mission. David suffered from life-threatening obesity and believes changing to an organic, healthy, non-toxic diet and losing 200 pounds saved his life. He addressed a change in mindset to embrace edible gardening. A perfectly manicured, weed-free yard is not the only definition of beautiful.
“To me, ‘healthy’ is beautiful.”
Deep Roots believes every plant (even dandelions and clover) has a place in the ecosystem but toxic pesticides, weed-killers, and fertilizers do not.
We couldn’t agree more!
For additional information on the dangers of traditional lawn maintenance products and tips for natural weed-killer alternatives, check out k.o. ecolife’s blog post Kill The Weeds–Not Your Family And Pets This Summer.
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