Newsletter 1.16.2020
 Connecting children to healthy food and natureGROW Plans Merger with Hillview Urban Agriculture CenterHillview Urban Agriculture Center (Hillview) and GROW La Crosse (GROW) plan a merger that will take place in early 2020. The GROW and Hillview boards are working together to define the merger agreement. The missions of GROW and Hillview are well aligned; working as one in our community will have a greater impact. Hillview holds the mission of creating a healthy community through a local, sustainable, and accessible food system. Hillview Urban Agriculture Center is a non-profit grassroots organization based in La Crosse. Hillview was formed in 2010 with the belief that everyone in our community should – and can – have access to healthy, local food. Hillview Urban Agriculture Center grew out of the Hillview Greenhouse Life Center that was established in 1912. “Hillview is thrilled to merge with GROW La Crosse to continue the work of creating a healthy local food system. GROW has been a valuable partner in this work and we feel that merging is the natural next step to ensuring the La Crosse community has access to nature and a thriving local food system for many years to come.” Mackenzie Mindel, Hillview Board President “Hillview has been an important presence in our community and has gained much ground in making healthy and local food accessible. We are honored that they picked GROW to continue to carry on their work. GROW will be teaching composting and soil building to over 2000 students this spring to reflect Hillview’s mission,” stated Jamie O’Neill, GROW’s executive director. There is tremendous enthusiasm and excitement on the boards as the merger moves forward. The organization will move forward as GROW. You will continue to see the same high-quality school garden lessons and farm experiences, as well as, opportunities for additional programing in the future. La Crosse Tribune: La Crosse groups looking to merge: GROW, Hillview have shared interest in gardening, healthy eating News8000: GROW, Hillview Urban Agriculture Center to merge  Healthy Living Heroes AwardOn Friday, January 10th the GROW team was honored by receiving one of the 2020 Healthy Living Heroes awards from La Crosse County Health Department’s La Crosse Healthy Living Collaboration. These awards are given to those who help make La Crosse County a healthier place to live, learn, work, and play. This award recognizes the passion and dedication of our team and community. We are able to carry out our mission of connecting children to healthy food and nature because of the hard work of our garden educators, interns and farm leaders and because of the support of our community. What a great honor!  GROW InternshipsWe are excited to start the new semester with both seasoned and new interns. Rachel Schrubring, marketing intern, will return for her second semester with GROW. Rachel is a fast learner dedicated to stepping into any role with proficiency. We are very excited to have Rachel return for her final semester at UWL. Other students joining our team for spring semester include: Haley, preceptor from UWL, working on her Public Health masters and Alex a student-teacher from UWL. If you know of a student who would be a good fit for GROW please, share that we are still looking to fill 3 to 4 internship roles this semester.  Donate to GROW |