On a warm sunny day we pulled up in front of a huge greenhouse right in the city of Boston. We had arrived at one of the growing sites of the Food Project.
Walking into the greenhouse in Roxbury the smell of warm earth and growing things surrounded us as we listened to the story of this verdant place.
Greenhouse
Lots going on.
David listening to how this came to be through a CPPW grant and contributions.
After hearing how the greenhouse is being used by neighborhood groups to build community and by several farmers to grow food we moved out into the neighborhood to see plots built in people’s yards and to visit the larger farm a few blocks from the greenhouse.
Plots have been built in local yards.
Here is the farm.
Beauty surrounds.
Taking the subway to my aunt and uncle’s house I noticed one of the youth from the farm sitting across from me. I plopped down next to him and asked him why he was doing the work and what he liked. As he spoke his face brightened “I have been doing work with the Food Project for the last couple of years. I like being outside and it’s now my community; it’s where I have friends and I feel valued.” I asked him the usual adult question of what he wants to do with the experience. Sitting up straighter he looked at me and said “Before I wasn’t really sure what I was interested in but after doing this I think I want to do something with growing food or community organizing. I think it makes a difference.”
Our stop came and we wished each other luck as we moved out into the cold night.
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