Bee-Lieve Harvest Festival

North Coast Urban Farms and Community Gardens on E. 144th was established in 2010. When I went into kidney failure in 2002 my doctors told me that my healthy eating habits were what kept me alive. After I recovered from surgery I started taking agriculture courses and going to gardening workshops learning all I could about proper techniques for growing and caring for vegetables and fruits and how to harvest fresh produce for my community.

Since then I’ve been appointed the coordinator for all community gardens in Ward 1 in the city of Cleveland, Ohio. I have taught hundreds of people in the community how to sustain their healthy eating choices. What I want most is to pass along my knowledge about gardening, bee culture, and making healthy food choices to the next generation. I’d love to introduce solar power and a closed water irrigation system as well!

At the fall festival the community will gather for a harvest celebration. We’ll have honey, vegetables and have kids prepare salads and show them that the foods that they eat they can actually grow themselves.

Farming is more than just playing in the dirt.

1. buy some fruits and vegetables from local farmers markets
2. utilize a local caterer to serve vegetarian dishes
3. flyer the community to encourage participation
4. purchase supplies and materials for raised beds and water catchment system

We understand the needs of limited income families and want to let them know that there are more affordable options than fast food to feed their children. When I opened the community garden across from the Robert H. Jamison middle school, the response from the neighbors was immediately positive.

Fifteen year resident Toni Crawford keeps a watchful eye on it from her home next door. “Kids need to learn about it so they can one day become farmers themselves” she said. It also teaches them healthy eating habits”.