Planting the SEEDS
If you recall several months ago (when I was still learning how a blog works, so forgive the sad little photos), I volunteered at the Hogan’s Magnolia View Farm for the Eastern Triangle Farm Tour. Several weeks ago, I did it again.
This time I volunteered at SEEDS in Durham, NC, a wonderful non-profit that focuses on teaching the young people of the city to “care for the earth, themselves and each other through a variety of garden-based programs.” About 12 high school students from the Durham Public Schools receive small stipends to work after school, learning to farm, run a food business, and participate in leadership development. They learn about issues of social and economic justice, food safety and security, and environmental sustainability.
On this day, they served as impressive tour guides for visitors from around the state.
SEEDS is more than a urban garden for youth, however; they actually sell their produce at the Durham Farmer’s Market every week. From giant peppers to luscious lettuces to succulent eggplants, these youngsters grow, harvest, and sell their produce grown from their own Durham Inner City Garden located right across from their educational garden space. The students even manage their own bee apiaries to make their honey.
Every Friday evening, instead of hanging out at the mall or watching TV, these young gardeners also share their week’s lessons and discuss issues of relevance at the fire pit. A program called SEEDlings reaches out to even younger children with an afterschool program that teaches them how to care for the earth, grow and enjoy food. There is even an outdoor clay oven where the youngsters make their own pizza with fresh tomatoes, mushrooms, and herbs grown with their own hard work.
In a time when we hear about the terrible, horrible state of our youth, it is so heartening to know that if the young people of SEEDS are the stewards of our Earth, we might be OK after all.
Category: Featured Articles: Health & Nutrition, Food Politics, Health & Nutrition, Kids & Food, Travel & Culture, US & Canada
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With a flair for spontaneity, pizzazz, creative excellence and her own unique sense of aesthetic grace and perspective, we have our very dear friend, Belinda (or B, to some of us). Although an incredibly accomplished professional and career woman, B’s down-to-earth approach and demeanor transcends all scenarios, communities and people. She manifests, in her day-to-day, the essence of the word “Zomppa” as demonstrated by her extraordinary commitment to creating sustainable and positive change for us and future generations to come. She’s asked for a dog every year since she was five. Check out Belinda’s work on global education research and coaching: www.hummingbirdrcc.com or more about her portfolio www.belindachiu.com.Comments (4)
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- Hungry for Spare Change? | Zomppa - Food, Meet People | November 8, 2009
Oh, cool. Next time I’m in Durham I’ll have to check it out.
Do you have favorite food places in Durham? Happy to share mine when next you’re in town!
Thanks for the great pics and info. SEEDS really is a cool project and luckily more such places are springing up all the time. And we are always looking for volunteers for our farm tours (in April and September.) Also, check out our annual conference in December in Black Mountain, NC.
–Fred
Program Manager, Carolina Farm Stewardship Association