The Patch

Harvest Festival Helps Feed over 300 before the Holidays

Tuesday, November 28, 2017 - 2:30pm

Dania Beach, FL– On Saturday, November 18th, the Dania Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (DBCRA) hosted its third Annual Harvest Festival at the PATCH Farm and Market honoring the bounty of the Garden, which has provided local, organically-grown produce for Broward County for nearly 9 years. More than 500 people attended the event. Ark of the City, Farm Share, Supa T Records and Elliott Enterprises sponsored a free food giveaway and graciously donated Thanksgiving Supper hot plates and bagged fresh produce by the pound to give to the community. Over 300 people were fed and took home free bags of produce to their families just in time to cook for the Thanksgiving Holiday.

“We are honored to support the PATCH’s mission of eliminating food insecurity in the community,” said Morris Goldwire, of Ark of the City. “We are so proud of the organizations and volunteers, and especially the DBCRA staff for their efforts during this event.  They take great pride in giving back to our local communities.” 

On December 16th, from 9AM – 2PM, the PATCH and DBCRA team up with Family in Distress, Dismas Charities and the Broward County Sheriff’s Office to host a spectacular Christmas Event with something for everyone. Featuring live performances, Christmas music, free meals, holiday crafts, raffles and giveaways, this event will bring holiday cheer to the whole family.

About the PATCH Farm and Market

The PATCH Farm and Market is located at 1201 W. Dania Beach Boulevard, Dania Beach, FL. The PATCH was created as an environmentally and economically sustainable urban farming system within the community, that creates a network of secure healthy food sources of naturally grown vegetables and fruits, while providing local jobs and vocational training in the sustainable agricultural industry to the residents of the community. The market is open to the public every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and every 3rd Saturday of the month the PATCH hosts special family events. For more information visit www.thepatchgarden.com or call 954-924-6801.

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The PATCH Farm and Market Hosts 2nd Annual Neighborhood Garage Sale

Wednesday, August 30, 2017 - 8:17am

Dania Beach, FL (August 28th, 2017) - On Saturday September 16th, 2016 from 9AM – 1PM, the Dania Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (DBCRA) will host its second annual Neighborhood Garage Sale at the PATCH Farm and Market. Local residents will have the opportunity to sell their unused or unwanted items for free and can register for a booth space at: touchbroward.org/db_patch_garagesale. Participants must bring their own table, tablecloth and chairs.

“We encourage members of the Dania Beach Community to visit the PATCH on a regular basis and this is a great way for the community to come together, do some “Spring Cleaning” in September! and get great bargains at the PATCH. In addition, we will have lots of delicious and fresh produce for sale,” states Kathleen Weekes, DBCRA Acting Interim Executive Director.

Event activities will include:

  • PATCH Market (open from 9AM – 1PM; always providing 50% off on all EBT sales)

  • FREE Samples and Giveaways

  • Arts and Crafts

  • Neighborhood garage sale

  • PATCH Farm Tours

  • Kids Activities

  • And Much More!

The PATCH Farm and Market is located at 1201 W. Dania Beach Boulevard, Dania Beach, FL. The market is open to the public every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and every 3rd Saturday of the month the PATCH hosts special family events. For more information visit www.thepatchgarden.com or call 954- 924-6801. 

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The PATCH Provides FREE Back to School Giveaways and More During Event

Thursday, July 27, 2017 - 11:12am

Dania Beach, FL- On Saturday August 19th from 9AM – 1PM, The PATCH Urban Farm and Market will celebrate ‘Back to School’ by hosting a free event for the community helping parents gear up for a successful school year. As part of the celebration, Art N Soul, among others will be providing a free backpack giveaway while supplies last as well as numerous other activities. The ‘Back to School Bash’ serves as a kickoff to the new school year.

“We know summer can be a stressful time for parents, and we’re here to help. We want the children in the community to be excited for a fresh start to the new school year,” states Kathleen Weekes, Interim Executive Director of the Dania Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (DBCRA).

The PATCH is located at 1201 West Dania Beach Blvd and event activities will include:

  • PATCH Market (open from 9AM – 1PM; always providing 50% off on all EBT sales)

  • Bounce House Fun!

  • FREE Backpack Giveaway (while supplies last) sponsored by Art N Soul

  • FREE Haircuts

  • FREE Food Giveaway sponsored by Kiwanis

  • Minute-to-Win-It Games to Win School Supplies

  • Market Sales

  • Kid’s Activities and Games

  • Food Demonstrations

  • Educational Activities and Much More!

Organizational partners for this event include: the Dania Beach Community Redevelopment Agency, Dania Beach Kiwanis, Art n Soul, TOUCH, the Broward Regional Health Planning Council (BRHPC) and Love our Nation.

The PATCH Farm and Market is located at 1201 W. Dania Beach Boulevard, Dania Beach, FL. The market is open to the public every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and every 3rd Saturday of the month the

PATCH hosts special family events. For more information call 954-924-6801 or visit www.thepatchgarden.com

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The Dania Beach PATCH Farm and Market Launches Apprenticeship Training Program

Tuesday, June 20, 2017 - 4:31pm

Dania Beach, FL – The PATCH Apprenticeship Training Program (PATP), a forty-hour program, is a collaborative effort championed by the Dania Beach Community Redevelopment Agency, Broward Regional Health Council, SURG Consulting, LLC and PATCH CAN.  The program will kick-start on Saturday July 15th, 2017 offering opportunities for six qualified participants to receive a paid apprenticeship. The application deadline is June 30th by 5PM and interested persons should email Jaime Castoro at JCastoro@BRHPC.org outlining why you are interested in the apprenticeship, what experience, if any, you have in farming and what qualities you think you will bring to the team.

“This is a great opportunity for the right individual to have an immersive experience in the operation of an organic farm and market. Our promise to you is thorough training of all farm tasks, a safe and welcoming environment, opportunities to learn from other farmers with different systems, and opportunities to assist at the farmer’s markets and with PATCH sponsored community activities,” states Rachel Bach, Dania Beach CRA Executive Director.

Class days are every Saturday and Sunday beginning on Saturday, July 15th through Sunday, August 6th from 7:30AM – 1:30PM. This program has been specifically designed for the PATCH Farm and Market with hopes to train individuals for Dania Beach and other cities looking to launch similar projects.  This first of its kind in Broward County Apprenticeship Program will provide participants the opportunity to discover how food production connects communities and builds health and wellness; how to select, grow and harvest crops; about market operations and how to maximize harvests; and how to supply fresh local produce to your community. Through this Apprenticeship, participants will develop the job skills that could lead to employment at local farmer’s markets and urban farms or nurseries.

The PATCH Farm and Market is located at 1201 W. Dania Beach Boulevard, Dania Beach, FL. The market is open to the public every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and every 3rd Saturday of the month the PATCH hosts special family events.   For more information call 954-924-6801.

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The Dania Beach PATCH Urban Farm and Market Honors its Volunteers

Tuesday, June 13, 2017 - 2:43pm

Dania Beach, FL – On Saturday June 17th from 9AM – 1PM, the PATCH Urban Farm and Market celebrates and honors the volunteers that have ‘dug in’ and made a difference in the community. Between the months of January – May 2017, volunteers have contributed 743.5 hours at the PATCH, a testament to the dedication of the community in providing a network of secure, healthy food sources. During the event, top volunteers will be awarded shirts and prizes honoring their tireless efforts in maintaining the PATCH Garden and its fresh, healthy, and pesticide-free fruits and vegetables.

 “The PATCH provides a platform for education, cultural growth, community participation and economic development. Our volunteers are passionate about access to local, healthy and affordable food, offering their time, expertise and philanthropic giving to create more sustainable communities, and we’re proud to support their volunteer and charitable efforts,” states Rachel Bach, Dania Beach Community Redevelopment Agency Executive Director.

There are numerous ways volunteers can get involved in the PATCH. Gardening volunteers assist by planting, mulching, spreading dirt, weeding, cutting grass, and cleaning up at the PATCH. Greenmarket volunteers help with at-market promotions like cooking demonstrations, kid’s activities, and community outreach. In addition, the PATCH offers a variety of soft skills volunteer opportunities to include programs for youth focused on entrepreneurship and community engagement. To volunteer your time, sign up online here: http://www.handsonbroward.org/register.

The PATCH Farm and Market is located at 1201 W. Dania Beach Boulevard, Dania Beach, FL. The market is open to the public every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and every 3rd Saturday of the month the PATCH hosts special family events.   For more information call 954-924-6801.

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