Week 8’s readings talk about the several methods in which
gardens can benefit cites and people, but it might present itself with
shortcomings depending on where it may be situated. Despite of the
complications, gardens can be a snowballing initiative in all kinds of
neighborhood for better community engagement and education.
Even when there may not be community gardens in several
locations, residents can lead by example and
set their own private garden. Although it is private, residents can begin
community initiatives by sharing gardening techniques or calling for other
neighbors to join their efforts. Ideally, the efforts for neighborhood
engagement serve as a bottom-up approach to foster urban agriculture.
From my childhood’s memory, I can recall my mother and neighbors
gathering and having regular conversations and seldom the garden topics would
rise up, discussing the tiny peppers and tomatoes they would get at random
times or how the Malay apples would be given away for free since there were so
many and the block was covered little pink flowers from the blooming tree.
Nowadays, the idea of enhancing a community’s relationship through urban
agriculture reminisces old fashioned practices with renewed ideas.
Looking forward to living in a house, a backyard is a great
tool to engage with neighbors and getting to know them, either by asking if
they garden too or if they can share some insight about their backyard
agriculture. Furthermore, it can create linkages between several sectors of the
community. For instance, living nearby Frenchtown will allow me to either
donate some of my crops or benefit from local community gardens to better my
own private lot, creating a locally sustained exchange of agricultural
materials. One prime example is iGrow, which can share some of the rich compost
in exchange for organic material such as leaves, fruits, and vegetables that
might be cut off from gardening maintenance.
Although it is only a small effort, gardening can be the
incentive for communities to learn, cooperate, and interact with their
surroundings, increasing the likelihood of them participating in activities
that might benefit others and develop more sustainable cities.
What are some of your experiences in tending a private or
community garden? How have you seen its benefits reflected on the community?
Alberto, it's funny you said that "gardens can be a snowballing initative in all kinds of neighborhood for better community engagement and education," because that is kind of what I wrote my post about too! The organic garden at my undergraduate really served as an incubator for all kinds of other on-campus sustainability initiatives AND community-building/organizing efforts. As for my own experiences outside of that, I just started a backyard garden. It isn't much and most of my plants are in pots, but I have already noticed how it has made me feel more engaged with food and how my interest in growing food has peaked. I have grand plans for my backyard garden, including growing enough herbs and food to share with my friends. I also live in an area near the homeless shelter, and many homeless/houseless people camp out near my home. I would love to produce enough food to be able to share with anyone passing by -- I could just put a sign out that says "Take what you want!"
ReplyDeleteTaylor, I read your article and it provided me with really good insight to support my argument! It sometimes comes down to living the experience of working in the garden and seeing the people interact as it is happening. For my other planning class, Tallahassee Food Network's consultant, Bakari McClendon shared some powerful insight about his experience both in the Dunn street farm and the South City location, he said that "gardens address issues along with productivity," showing how big is the impact it can make on young audiences, both in creating healthier eating habits and more skills that help for a better quality of life. There is a case of a man in Orlando who had enough food to grow in his front yard (which came with a lot of legal issues, but he won in the end!) that he could feed his entire block. There is so much space and creativity to grow food, we just need to get together as communities and start gardening.
DeleteFreshman year at FSU I tried to get more involved in community service projects so I signed up at the center for student leaders to go to the garden at the community center in French town. At first, I thought it just might be cool to learn a little bit more about planting some okra and kale when I moved off campus, but after a few weekly visits I saw how happy the children who went to the community center were to see us there on Thursday. They were SO excited to help mow around the plot or plant some seeds. It was a great example of how gardens can positively impact a community.
ReplyDeleteOn the hand, I think the only way a community garden can lead to more progressive food movements is with more factors: such as leadership, education about gardening practices, community supports, and policies that help benefit the gardens. Without other components, a garden will probably be just that: a garden. But, hey, I'm not complaining! If one family can even benefit from a plot, then it's doing exactly what it meant to!
Hayley, I support your claim that community gardens can be a source of sheer excitement, especially for children who become heavily exposed to agriculture and the food they consume in general. Giving the example of a local garden, iGrow has a plethora of initiatives that have benefited both young and old people in the Frenchtown community. They educate about healthy food and how to grow them by utilizing easy, affordable, and accessible methods. One of their examples is the "iGrow Bucket" which consists of a 3-chamber bucket that waters itself and can sustain plant life for quite a while.
DeleteWith efforts like iGrow, the food movement can take a step forward in engaging local communities, even if it just addresses a small amount of people. Furthermore, people can begin to benefit from the knowledge shared in community gardens to start their own small gardens that might become micro-hubs for neighbors to interact and obtain food--and excitement!