Urban Farms Open Doors

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Bev pulls youngsters into the gardening fold as well and has allocated one of her lots just for them. Many arrive not knowing the first thing about food, she says. “Some wondered where they could dig up french fries!”

Neighbor Earnestine Collins loves Pender’s produce, particularly the watermelons, and she likes the way those gardens spruce up the neighborhood. Still, she thinks her friend works too hard. “Lots of times, she’ll be out here to after midnight.”

All in it together

Katherine Kelly, with the Center for Urban Agriculture, works long hours, too, helping grow growers and promote this up-and-coming trend. With a focus on research and education, the center runs a two-acre organic farm of its own and helps all city farmers join hands.

Katherine counts many benefits to urban farmers working together, not the least of which is mutual education. “When we introduce farmers to each other; they start asking each other questions, they start swapping supply sources; they learn where to buy at wholesale rather than at retail prices.”

Most haven’t been raised to be farmers, she says. “They’ve mostly seen gardening hobbies get out of control.” As they get into the business end of farming, they need to stretch their skills, particularly in the field of marketing.

Farmers can be their own worst enemies, down-valuing what they do, Katherine says. “They need to think about the good they do, the benefits they provide the community.” And that’s one place the center can help. “Basically, we do some consciousness-raising,” Katherine says. “We help them articulate who they are and what they do.” That, in part, is what this tour is all about.

Freelancer Carol Crupper, a former newspaper reporter and editor, has covered rural communities and their city neighbors for more than 30 years.

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