Alternative Community Farmer/WPB.FL

In my work experience as an URBAN ORGANIC FARMER here in S.Florida, I have co-founded and closely helped out in establishing four community gardens.Two of those gardens cease to exist .

I like to share my observations and feedbacks to help out  in the future revitalization and remediation work process to  organic community gardens .

The Challenges.

A-POLITICS IN THE COMMUNITY GARDEN:

Personally , I advocate non-political approach to growing ORGANIC FRUITS and VEGETABLES in community gardens.Unfortunately , the situation at the ground is otherwise.I noticed that some of those gardens I tended attracted members who were POLITICALLY MOTIVATED in the first place.Their work mainly at the garden was only to extend /show their political aura or to enrich their resumes and social status as community organizers or activists .

This trend also entrenched some active or retired officials in addition to local figures of some organizations to partake just to appeal to the media and local public opinion.Others were involved through educational institutions /non-profit organizations etc , to apply for grants,bolster their community stance , keep the influence of donated GMO seeds and seedlings- FREE soils derived from treated  sludge - fertilzers and pesticides ammendments-active at the garden .Little  actual gardening work  was  done   by some of those occasional members- visitors-spectators, who mostly show up at events.

The solution:

The spirit of VOLUNTARY COMMUNITY SERVICE through productive planting and harvesting of ORGANIC PRODUCE should be the main MOTIVE.Donating to local soup kitchens and needy families must be emphassized especially NOW.Encouraging the membership of struggling families and the financially disadvataged should be a priority in enlisting members.Diversity in membership should be equally stressed along with diversity in gardening.Social dialogue through pot locks and workshop events must be introduced to enrich the communication between diverse groups of the neighboring community.Solutions to the challenges remain impotent without actual involvement with the HANDS ON learning process:ORGANIC SOIL - CLASSES and WORKSHOPS-POTLUCKS-HARVESTING and SHARING of HARVEST-SEEDS EXCHANGE.Active members must adhere to the rules and regulations set for the garden.

B-Allocating and preserving more lands for growing organic produce locally.

Some of those community gardens took decades to build their organic soil and with a change of heart are destroyed to be new locations for developments or other use.

The solution:

Advocating for the placement of new laws to protect and  preserve FERTILE agricultural lands / urban community gardens that have irreplacable organic top soil.

C-Lack of Local Programs to EDUCATE and Graduate: Organic Community Gardeners /ORGANIC URBAN FARMERS at the local school level and beyond.

Attention should be redirected from the current home-owners mentality of growing ornamentals and shrubs using fertilizers and pesticides  for the purposes of landscaping only.So many home owners are having their homes forclosed and now are renting or are displaced.

The solution:

Vouchers for continuing education and local community plotsshould be issued. Jobs for organic urban farmers should be created and promoted through educational and vocational local programs.Growing food must be the new mood instead of growing JUST GRASS! 

D-Lack of support ,recognition and appreciation to organic farmers.

Migrant farmers with their illegal status has driven the farming jobs down to its bottom.No respect and discremination are rampant.wages  and benefits are so low.Organic Community  Agriculture Educational programs are non-existing below the university level.Big Agri-Business domination of the market .

The solution:

The community garden can be the new venue for raising the awareness level by providing organic horticultural educational programs and  marketing opportunities to small farmers or community urban gardeners.A FREE green market at a Community Garden to sell and display produce can be used as an example in supporting the local economy through marketing of locally grown produce .This kind of market exists in Europe, but at a different location:The village markets or -Thursday markets.The now available farmers /green markets levy high fees and charges here ,in general  . who affords to sell at those markets are merchants of grocerystores who rent spaces to sell conventional imported produce from other countries or different states.The farmer has been replaced by the merchant at the farmers market at least here in S.Florida ,with some exceptions , offcourse!

S.Florida Community gardens are growing more , in numbers.Most of the new comers to S.Florida need some Tropical Gardening orientation as they mostly come from the cold Up-North!

Here are some suggestions for the new comers to make their toil in the soil less painful and more fruitful!

1-Put on garden safety gear when you garden.That includes sun glasses,gloves,hat,long sleeve shirt,bugs repellent..DRINK PLENTY OF SPRING WATER and always HYDRATE!

2-Double dig the soil and extract any debris or toxic substances.Know WHERE YOUR SOIL COME FROM!Avoid adding soils that have fertilizers or other contaminents like PCB,Plastics etc..

3-Trans-plant seedlings from local farmers rather than directly planting  GMO or commercial seeds that take longer to grow and harvest.Seedlings bought from SOME garden centers might have fertilizers and pesticide or herbicide contents.Choose varieties that give bountiful harvest like  cherry tomatoes !

4-Avoid using pesticides or herbicides by choosing  the prevention method rather.Plant companion pest reppeling HERBS like :Cuban oregano or Basil .

5-Choose DIVERSITY in planting varieties of plants that Co-exist and Complement!For example I grow sunflowers and corn and cucumbers or pinto beans TOGETHER , so the former can be used as natural trellis by the latter!Also I plant short term harvesting plants like arugola and lettuce with long term harvest plants like tomatoes together.Plants love to co-exist and are more productive and efficient when used as such in LIMITED SPACE GARDENING!

6-Choose SEASONAL draught tolerant NATIVE plants to S.Florida .Prefer Nutritional content over taste and flavor.Use Xeroscaping ,or the right plant in the right place:do not plant water loving plants alongside with desert loving plants!

7-Get help in ORGANIC TROPICAL GARDENING from a local urban farmer or someone who have experience in TROPICAL FARMING.It is different to garden in Florida ,but it is not difficult to adjust.There is no green or brown thumbs.There is awareness versus ignorance!

8-Use Garden ERGONOMICS Body Functional Movements .There are certain exercises for first time gardeners to strengthen certain muscles and gaurd against injuries by using properTRAINED  muscle FUNCTIONAL MOVEMENTS  !

9-Use ERGONOMIC TOOLS .Use Organic Soil.Use Organic Seeds.

10-Keep learning.Attend worrkshops and ORGANIC gardening classes.

References to check out  Organic Gardening Books and web sites:

www.Rodale Ulitmate Organic Gardening Encycloped

How to grow organic vegetables in containers

Container and small space gardening

Four season gardening

New square foot gardening

Happy community  gardening  

Alternative Community Farmer WPB/Fl

http:www.localharvest.org/farms/M20618

Lake Woth ,Florida.

Reported by :Blogger Tony Dagher  BA,CFMG

The sun was shining in another  beautiful fall Florida day.

There was Ms.Taylor ,a  photographer from the Palm Beach Post and another camera man from a local TV -channel 5-snapping shots and interviews  respectively !.I was there  reporting and interviewing for my Local Harvest blog alongside  with the media.Why not having farmers reportes ..to touch base with reality from an urban farmers perspective.I felt proud  taking part  in  another  COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER event.

There,I was  witnessing something different which  rarely catches the eye of the common observer:A landscaping  crew of  managers -regional-operational-adminstrative and more office STAFF -in addition to arborists,technicians,trainers-sweating in the sizzling Florida sun with hands and shirts covered with dirt and mulch.

They were  mostly white colar staff DOING some LABOR INTENSIVE PHYSICAL WORK  by volunteering at the Lake Worth Resource Center .Tell me about farming and gardening being a trade for the under paid and overworked , a job looked at as demeaning by some!May be it is the right time now to introduce URBAN FARMING in our school programs for the general public as something to be PROUD OF:GROWING YOUR OWN ORGANIC FOOD LOCALLY!

They were  beautifying the city of Lake Worth by planting their donated trees,ornamental shrubs and flowers,and spreading environmentally friendly Melaluca mulch at the LWRC.ALL DONE FOR FREE!THAT IS UNCONDITIONAL COMMUNITY LOVE IN ACTION!

They were  giving demonstrations on using equipment and TRAINING the Lake Worth Resource Center job seekers for careers in landscaping.

The Trainees were mostly Hispanic non-documented migrant workers.But there were others who are documented citizens who came to learn as well.They were being taught HOW TO: Operate landscaping equipmen,applying safety gear, spray, mulch etc.

Just finished ,was  an indoor multi media Brickmans University  power point presentation fascilitated by  M/S Katerina Albertson the director of employee development ,assisted by Boca Raton operational manager Mr.Martin Tapia . Among other important things,we learned about the UNIVERSAL PRINCIPLES OF MOWING:

1-BRING IN BIG MACHINES FIRST.

2-USE NON-EXCESSIVE WEEDING

3-KEEP THE GRASS IN THE GRASS ,NOT ON THE SIDE WALK.

Brickman group was celebrating the Founder's Day by volunteering and giving back to the community.

As in today,back in 1939 ,Mr Theodore Brickman founded the company with head quarters in GAETHERSBURG-MARYLAND.Today the Family owned and operated company ,a home for more than 10,000 employees nation wide ,is headed by grandson and CEO SCOTT BRICKMAN.

This community celebration by reaching out and giving back should be a LESSON to all.Present was   a crowd of more than 100 volunteers , jobseekers ,company satff and officials  spearheaded by Brickman regional manager Mr.Mark Swanson,Lake Worth  Commissioner Susan Mulvehill , LWRC president and directors Lisa and Don Wilson,and Brickmans WPB branch manager Mr.Brendan Dooley .Let us give a hand and volunteer .Let us celebrate by beautifying and enriching our community.Let us news report the POSITIVE and spread more awareness aboutPRODUCTIVE  HORTICULTURE .

For more info about the LWRC visit :

http://www.thementoringctr.org

Fotr more information about Brickman ,visit:

http://www.brickmangroup

For more info about our blog visit:

http://www.localharvest.org/farms/M20618

Organic Community Gardens are now sprouting like crazy in South Florida.The economic crunch is now compelling churches,schools,municipalities ,homeowners etc..to transform lands -that are either neglected or used to grow lawns -to productive vegetable gardens.

As a Master Gardener who worked for the last 10 years in establishing and maintaining Organic Community Gardens in South Florida I came up with a summery of RECOMMENDATIONS to help out new comers chart a feasable way into starting their own ORGANIC COMMUNITY GARDENS:

1-LOCATION:START SMALL,choose a location that is immune to FLOODING,is not a slope and is topograghically sound.Check out and clear the soil of  debris and other toxic substances.

2-Solarise and aerate the area you plan to use for a vegetable garden.

3-Appoint a care taker who has knowledge and experience to manage an organic  garden. Form a committee from your group and name a CO_ORDINATOR to follow up,to handle and decide on the garden  issues and solutions:financial,social,organizational,community events,gardening process and other matters pertainig to the garden.

4-Declare a mission and a vision.Prepare a garden budget.Set up rules and regultaions.Fill applications and paperwork to observe ,preserve and protect all parties from litigations on subjects pertaining to safety,accidents,insurance liability,obligations and responsibilities,time limits for using the plots etc..

5-Fascilitate educational classes and workshops to promote organic gardening awareness ,garden ergonomics,safety,gardening know how etc..

6-Publish a news letter,design a web site for the garden .

7-Involve members who are dedicated and able to carry out the garden tasks.Specialize gardening areas for different groups: SENIORS,ADULTS,CHILDREN,DISABLED etc..

8-Have specialized areas for: composting,a mini nursery,workshops and classes,shed for storing tools and garden accessories,events,bulletin board etc..

9-Prepare your own organic top soil,compost,organic fertilizers,organic pesticides.Weed and maintain the garden.Irrigate and mulch as necessary,harvest and use companion herbs .

10-Market your produce in green and farmers market especially to people who can not afford the EXPENSIVE HEALTH FOOD STORES.Donate to soup kitchens and charity organizations that cater for the needy.Do potucks and spread the good word of LOCALLY GROWN ORGANIC FRUIT AND VEGETABLES!

I want to share with you a REAL story about one of the COMMUNITY GARDENS in South Florida that are becoming history!

This community garden I am talking about was more than 15 years old.It started at a neglected African American neighborfood back in the 90's.Dads Against Drugs were the ones who intiated the idea ,the volunteers and the city provided the land for the community garden.There was a soup kitchen involved and a local college kids program as well in addition to many local volunteers.The media was summoned upon opening and lots of propaganda followed.Two years ago a local newspaper did  a report on urban farming and a columnist did the coverage.That was then!Until the times when the folks volunteers community gardeners started to get behind in paying their mortgage ,insurance and so forth bills.One by one they left the garden to work a second job or find a way to pay the bills!Come 2003 ,I was the only one left .The Parks city co-ordinator was fired  due to  budget cuts .There were lots of crimes and murder not to mention the drug dealing before the garden.situation now is back .Recently "someone" came and demolished the almost one acre garden without notice at least to salvage the trees ,containers,tools etc..Rare neem trees,grape vines and garden accessories ...all were gone.Now piles of land fill occupy the garden and soon they will be building on the lot.No notice.No nothing.Tell me about respect for the land and volunteers who work community gardens!

Urban farming is a necessity to neglected neighborhood where drug dealers and crime brew and foster.Add to this a crowd of human beings who travel from all over  to seek rehabilitation from DRUGS at this sobriety world known retreat capital.Guns and ordinances can not solve the problems of neighborhoods infested by crime, poverty and drug dealers and users!Community outreach programs like PRODUCTIVE COMMUNITY GARDENS can be one of the solutions!

Check out this: In Japan and Finland...gardening is being introduced as a THERAPY at hospitalls,rehabilitation and wellness centers..How about learning from those programs and implementing them in our own backyard.Lots of people now have no jobs,no homes and are flooding the food stamp system .I suggest giving those who are able bodied a "PRODUCE YOUR OWN FOOD" voucher instead ,payable at a COMMUNITY ORGANIC GARDEN near you!

Yes, we can save millions if not billions by calling all vollunteers to work the community gardens.

There are by this moment around ONE MILLION FLORIDIANS who have no jobs.Most of them will be applying for FOOD STAMPS ,if they did not already.We have hundreds and thousands of neglected lots that are either owned by city or county.Why not start a program like the VICTORY GARDEN for example and earmark some bail out funding or budget? People can be productive producing their own food especially here in the South where we are in the 8-9-10 agricultural zone .. Produce can be grown almost the whole year round!

Now please be advised that we have THREE COMMISSIONERS ALREADY IN JAIL here and an INSPECTOR GENERAL: position now is being contemplated to investigate FRAUD etc...so we need some one from above to come first and have a look from below to find out what is going on.

Food is a necessity.People who are unemployed can produce their own ib community gardens if HELP is available.

Ask me about help and I tell you:No body listens!They were dumping the mulch from the Hurricane destroyed trees at the cemetry while there was  a need to use it at the community garden but no one would care, no matter whom and how many times you asked for help.Money talks loud around here.

Save those kids from the drug dealers by teaching them how to grow their own food.Save those neglected neighborhoods by growing fruit and vegetable community gardens in their neighborhoods.Let us produce Organic food locally by those who are able and  unemployed.We can do it .