I cannot even believe how quickly the week has gone by. We have such a fun, diverse group, and I have learned so much culturally and mentally from each individual. Volunteering on farms is hard work, but I think it makes each of us sincerely appreciate where our food comes from.
City Natives and ReVision Urban Farms provide fresh, local food at low costs to people who may not have access to such food in their communities. Farming is interesting in urban areas, because space and land are so much more limited. I admire the resourcefulness of Bostonian farmers who use greenhouses to extend the growing season, build raised beds to avoid contaminated soils, and provide a variety of community education programs.
Today we also had the chance to visit a community garden with over one hundred plots. The plots are invidually owned and maintained by local families. This wasn't a pristine, colorful, rural atmosphere; rather, some of the gardens were in cage-like structures to prevent vandalism, the garden was literally next to major roads and row homes, and the location was formerly a row of townhouses that had been demolished. I'm sure gardening is joyful for the plot owners, and some plots were gorgeous . But is this type of setting merely part of the community, or can it help provide unity within the community?
--Whitney
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