TheJOYproject is a Living Archive of Afro-Atlantic Agriculture and Foodways. We grow plants and foods that have been integral to the Afro-Diasporic experience and tell the stories of Black and Brown folks ancestral relationships with soil and seed. As we begin our 2nd year and growing season, we are celebrating our 1st year wins and growing our list of goals for this year and beyond. The bulk of this budget is allocated to building a bee apiary on our campus to help pollinate our plantcestors as well facilitate learning and conversation around how we can provide for and maintain our well being by being in relationship with our local bug neighbors. Our co-founder, Josmine learned bee keeping from her mother, a 25+ year bee keeper, and wants to continue that tradition by sharing that skill and knowledge set with family, friends and neighbors of theJOYproject. 

Water is a top priority in caring for growing plants. Since our campus does not have the infrastructure to tap in to the city water supply, In addition to adding an apiary we need to expand our capacity to keep our plants watered by building a water catchment system.

Lastly, earlier this spring we hosted 60 Detroiter's for a seed and plant swap. We would like to transform that resource opportunity into something that's available 24/7 365 by hosting a 'Little Free Library' but with seeds instead of books. This will give our neighbors and community the opportunity to share and access free seed year round at whatever date and time best works for them.