All Indianapolis fans of backyard gardening for food and growers of goodies should take note of Punxsutawney Phil's next big day of Monday Februrary 2nd, 2009. This will be the date upon which more will arrive to Indy than news from some groundhog harbinger of more foul winter weather. Instead, at 1029 Fletcher Avenue - (see: http://www.kibi.org/building/index.htm) from 5:30PM to 7:00PM the new Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Inc. (KIBI) headquarters site will host Indy's FIRST "Urban Farming Forum."

Chris Harrell, brownfield/urban redevelopment specialist (and local produce fan); Sarah Wiehe, IUPUI medical researcher and pediatrician (and ardent urban gardner); Matthew Jose, urban agriculture specialist; Laura Henderson, Founder of Indy's new Winter Farmer's Market will join together to host all attendees at this FREE event.

The Urban Farming Forum expects to bring together the many disparate groups, individuals, churches, non profits, and more to discuss multiple topics of interest. Main topics will include: health and safety issues sometimes confronted when farming urban sites, how to mend soil if health concerns are discovered in the soil, what crops are best suited for Indianapolis and environs and related garden growing hints, and lastly how to share the bounty from urban gardens with the your neighbors or the public at large by market or through non profit assistance (churches, community gardens, poverty relief, or supplying urban schools with fresh and healthy produce, etc.).

These are just some of the topics that will be discussed on Monday February 2nd 2009 (Groundhog Day) from 5:30PM to 7PM. Come out and link up with other non profits and individuals seeking to grow their own goods in Indy's urban gardens! Light refreshments will be served following the meeting to prompt further discussion and help chart the course for next steps. Details on the upcoming Indianapolis Food Security Summit will also be provided by attendees from Earth Charter Indiana and Slow Food Indy!

Whether or not old Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow on Monday Feb. 2nd 2009, please come out to meet other urban farmers no matter the size of your plot! Even if you are just thinking of splitting some soil this spring, come meet others planning to do the same in Indy.

If you have any questions please email Chris Harrell at theharrell(at)gmail.com or call 502.298.2832.