Organic Food for the People
Invest in the transformation of this Brooklyn community garden into an organic urban farm!
Leader
Priscilla Amado
Location
455 Ralph Ave Brooklyn, NY 11233
About the project
Organic Food for the People is an urban farm project offering organic herbs and produce to people in the historic Weeksville neighborhood of Brooklyn (Crown Heights, Bedstuy, Brownsville connection) who don't have access to affordable organic food. With the money we raise we will be able to continue on our course to transforming Tehuti Maat community garden into an urban farm growing organic food, including medicinal herbs. The money will go directly to purchasing the supplies and equipment necessary for sustainable building and growing, including a green house, composting area, outhouse, water conservation, irrigation and filtration systems.
Our team of volunteers have spent one year cleaning and rehabilitating this abandoned garden and working to develop a community of artists and activists through dynamic programing. Our RAWorkshops and open mics have provided educational resources and hands-on skills training including topics like food justice, health and nutrition. The programing is a significant piece to this project because it shows participants the importance of this work, allows them to be heard, develop skills and actively participate in the Organic Food for the People project.
The Steps
Composting project complete - August 2017
Prepare garden for winter. October 2017
Maintenance throughout winter
Begin organizing meetings and workshops March 2018
Community outreach March 2018
Purchase materials. March 2018
Build greenhouse structure March 2018
Secure raised beds with wood and barrier cloth. April 2018
Dig out and prep life garden at the entrance into the garden April 2018
Dig out and prep womb garden in the center of the garden April 2018
Begin planting seeds April 2018
Build and set-up rain conservation and irrigation system May 2018
Fill and plant in new beds and garden areas May 2018
Build outhouse May 2018
Build trellis system May 2018
Build pond June 2018
Why we‘re doing it
We founded this organization to provide educational resources to inner city neighborhoods. We began this Organic Food for the People community garden project as a holistic solution to the health issues plaguing the community, including diabetes and obesity. Tehuti Maat garden is located in a food desert right in the heart of Brooklyn, NY. This opportunity to grow food and learn about nutrition, develop healthy eating habits, and hands-on farming and cooking skills, addresses the economic and health issues we face here. It is also a method of community organizing, empowerment and beautification.
This effort grew from the desire expressed by people at our community discussions to be able to provide basic day to day needs within the community. This is a movement for self-determination and food sovereignty. Through this community farm project, artists, activists and healers are coming together to grow and harvest organic foods in the garden, as well as provide a host of resources to holistically address the needs of people in the neighborhood.