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‘Going back to our roots’ – Urban farming
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| First Lady Michelle Obama enlists local students to help dig up the White House lawn and plant a vegetable garden – a symbolic step that harkens back to Eleanor Roosevelt planting a ‘Victory Garden’ on the White House lawn during World War II. |
By JESSICA WILLIAMS-GIBSON
What began as a way to lower diabetes, obesity, hypertension and asthma rates among Blacks living in area code 46226, has evolved into an effort that spans business, agriculture, health, crime prevention and education.
Instead of sitting back and watching those in her community suffer, Naeemah Jackson, deputy director of Devington Community Development Corp., decided to use one concept to tackle a multitude of problems – the urban farm. From that the Green Earth – Golden Character, a civic-urban agriculture initiative, sprung up.
“When I was growing up, my grandmother had a garden. (Gardening) is what (Blacks) do. Feeding your child Ramen noodles and Kool-Aid is not healthy. We’re going back to our roots,” said Jackson. “This endeavor is a very holistic approach – body, mind, spirit and the land.”
According to Kay Grimm, who is farm manager for Devington Green Acres Farm and founder and chief executive officer of Basic Roots Community Foods, an urban farm takes an underused green space and transforms it into something that speaks of community, provides the practical benefits of a sustainable food source in a city dwelling.
Urban farms are more condensed, offer a larger variety of crops and require group support. Furthermore, urban farming is gaining popularity in large cities.
The urban farm may be an unfamiliar concept to some, however Grimm believes it will be essential to how urbanites obtain food in the future.
“Because we’re surrounded by a lot of concrete, we actually have a longer growing season in the city which makes it ideal and you can grow organically because we can control the smaller, concentrated space,” said Grimm.
Jackson took these and other urban farming concepts and decided the Devington area of Indianapolis would make an ideal place to birth such an idea. It may seem strange that this area would be good for urban farming, however Jackson says the five-acre portion of land located at the east end of Devington Plaza, 46th Street and Arlington Avenue, is prime growing property.
“I had it tested by the Marion County Health Department. The land is clean and our nutrients are off the charts,” noted Jackson.
Due to the nature and innovation behind the Green Earth program, Jackson has gained substantial support for her idea. Entities such as Purdue University Extension Service, the National Future Farmers of America (NFFA), and Arlington High School are among those who believe in the future of agriculture and how it will inevitably transform how communities view food.
There are many facets to the Green Earth-Golden Character, however, the nucleus of the program is the Devington Green Acres Farm. Thirty students from Arlington High’s Jobs for America’s Graduates and OK programs have been hired by Green Earth and are responsible for working the land.
After instruction by master urban farmers, students will have a thorough understanding of animal husbandry, horticulture, plant and herb identification, ecology, agribusiness, canning and preserving, health and nutrition, among other subjects.
They will also care for the okra, tomatoes, mustard, kale and collard greens, potatoes, turnips, broccoli, beans, bell peppers, strawberries, raspberries, and dwarf plum, cherry and apple trees that will be grown on the farm. Residents can begin buying produce this summer.
Members of the community can enjoy the fruits of the students’ labor at the Devington Farmers Market. Coming directly from Devington Green Acres Farm’s beehives will be fresh honey for sale as well as organic fish and range free laying hens, among other items.
“Take for example salad. If you don’t get it at a local market, it takes an average of 1,500 miles to get from where it was grown to your plate,” said Jackson. “It was picked when it wasn’t ripe, gassed or dyed to maintain it’s color, grown in land that isn’t clean – who knows where that food has been.”
The Devington Farmer’s Market is said to be the largest organic sustainable farm in Indianapolis.
Older citizens will also learn how to grow things through the Green Earth initiative. They will be trained by Purdue University on how to use the latest equipment to can and preserve fruits and vegetables.
“Our elders have so much knowledge, they are precious treasures,” added Jackson. “While they are working with the kids they can impart life lessons.”
In support of Green Earth, Arlington High School has added a certified agriculture science educational curriculum beginning in the fall 2010. A 4-H and an FFA chapter at the eastside Indianapolis Public School are also in the makings. What makes this program lucrative for students is that Arlington participants can receive dual credit and a scholarship to Purdue University to pursue an agriculture degree.
Purdue University and the Marion County Health Department will also host health and nutritional classes and chart health improvement among participants.
The farm is in the very beginning stages and Jackson is looking for financial support from businesses and residents. Despite the lack of funds, she states she is moving forward with this community project. In a matter of weeks, the Johnson County Antique Machinery Association will come to Indianapolis to plow and “turn over” the soil.
The Green Earth-Golden Character program offers economic development, introduction to organic food at affordable prices, a chance for Blacks to ‘go green,’ and educational opportunities among others. The most important thing is it will bring residents a greater sense of pride, accomplishment and ownership to the Devington area.
For more information, call (317) 542-4010 or visit www.DevingtonCDC.org;
www.growingpower.org.
Instead of sitting back and watching those in her community suffer, Naeemah Jackson, deputy director of Devington Community Development Corp., decided to use one concept to tackle a multitude of problems – the urban farm. From that the Green Earth – Golden Character, a civic-urban agriculture initiative, sprung up.
“When I was growing up, my grandmother had a garden. (Gardening) is what (Blacks) do. Feeding your child Ramen noodles and Kool-Aid is not healthy. We’re going back to our roots,” said Jackson. “This endeavor is a very holistic approach – body, mind, spirit and the land.”
According to Kay Grimm, who is farm manager for Devington Green Acres Farm and founder and chief executive officer of Basic Roots Community Foods, an urban farm takes an underused green space and transforms it into something that speaks of community, provides the practical benefits of a sustainable food source in a city dwelling.
Urban farms are more condensed, offer a larger variety of crops and require group support. Furthermore, urban farming is gaining popularity in large cities.
The urban farm may be an unfamiliar concept to some, however Grimm believes it will be essential to how urbanites obtain food in the future.
“Because we’re surrounded by a lot of concrete, we actually have a longer growing season in the city which makes it ideal and you can grow organically because we can control the smaller, concentrated space,” said Grimm.
Jackson took these and other urban farming concepts and decided the Devington area of Indianapolis would make an ideal place to birth such an idea. It may seem strange that this area would be good for urban farming, however Jackson says the five-acre portion of land located at the east end of Devington Plaza, 46th Street and Arlington Avenue, is prime growing property.
“I had it tested by the Marion County Health Department. The land is clean and our nutrients are off the charts,” noted Jackson.
Due to the nature and innovation behind the Green Earth program, Jackson has gained substantial support for her idea. Entities such as Purdue University Extension Service, the National Future Farmers of America (NFFA), and Arlington High School are among those who believe in the future of agriculture and how it will inevitably transform how communities view food.
There are many facets to the Green Earth-Golden Character, however, the nucleus of the program is the Devington Green Acres Farm. Thirty students from Arlington High’s Jobs for America’s Graduates and OK programs have been hired by Green Earth and are responsible for working the land.
After instruction by master urban farmers, students will have a thorough understanding of animal husbandry, horticulture, plant and herb identification, ecology, agribusiness, canning and preserving, health and nutrition, among other subjects.
They will also care for the okra, tomatoes, mustard, kale and collard greens, potatoes, turnips, broccoli, beans, bell peppers, strawberries, raspberries, and dwarf plum, cherry and apple trees that will be grown on the farm. Residents can begin buying produce this summer.
Members of the community can enjoy the fruits of the students’ labor at the Devington Farmers Market. Coming directly from Devington Green Acres Farm’s beehives will be fresh honey for sale as well as organic fish and range free laying hens, among other items.
“Take for example salad. If you don’t get it at a local market, it takes an average of 1,500 miles to get from where it was grown to your plate,” said Jackson. “It was picked when it wasn’t ripe, gassed or dyed to maintain it’s color, grown in land that isn’t clean – who knows where that food has been.”
The Devington Farmer’s Market is said to be the largest organic sustainable farm in Indianapolis.
Older citizens will also learn how to grow things through the Green Earth initiative. They will be trained by Purdue University on how to use the latest equipment to can and preserve fruits and vegetables.
“Our elders have so much knowledge, they are precious treasures,” added Jackson. “While they are working with the kids they can impart life lessons.”
In support of Green Earth, Arlington High School has added a certified agriculture science educational curriculum beginning in the fall 2010. A 4-H and an FFA chapter at the eastside Indianapolis Public School are also in the makings. What makes this program lucrative for students is that Arlington participants can receive dual credit and a scholarship to Purdue University to pursue an agriculture degree.
Purdue University and the Marion County Health Department will also host health and nutritional classes and chart health improvement among participants.
The farm is in the very beginning stages and Jackson is looking for financial support from businesses and residents. Despite the lack of funds, she states she is moving forward with this community project. In a matter of weeks, the Johnson County Antique Machinery Association will come to Indianapolis to plow and “turn over” the soil.
The Green Earth-Golden Character program offers economic development, introduction to organic food at affordable prices, a chance for Blacks to ‘go green,’ and educational opportunities among others. The most important thing is it will bring residents a greater sense of pride, accomplishment and ownership to the Devington area.
For more information, call (317) 542-4010 or visit www.DevingtonCDC.org;
www.growingpower.org.
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