WeFarm is partnering with CPS(Chicago Public Schools) to make the pilot program "Freshman Connect" a success! Freshman Connect was developed for incoming freshman to develop relationships with their peers and teachers, get a head start on academics and learn about pertinent issues in their community and their world.
Link: http://www.postsecondary.cps.k12.il.us/do_it_now/freshman_connection
WeFarm is specifically working with Senn High School in the Edgewater neighborhood to create a summer long course about gardening. Throughout the course of ten weeks we will building several large raised bed gardens on the school grounds that will hold various fruit and vegetable plants, holding workshops on the importance on local food,composting and a "how-to" on building self watering containers. The last two weeks will be spent on healthy eating that will lead up to the local food festival on the last day.
I am responsible for heading up the Victory Gardens Project, our goal is to take back the the Victory Garden and do away with the militarial WWI and WWII connotation. This will be a community effort and a source for education as well a symbol for hope. Similar efforts are going on across the country
http://www.sfvictorygardens.org/
http://www.newwest.net/index.php/city/article/victory_gardens_an_idea_whose_time_has_come_again/C108/L108/
How It Works...
Find volunteers that would donate space for a victory garden, if not in their own yard a neighbors or possibly a library or local business
We plant and maintain the garden and install a plaque or sign for the specific garden
The garden could be a "victory" over social injustice or poverty OR a victory for urban sustainability, local food and community involvement
With another first lady gardening on the White House grounds, the revival of the Victory Garden could be closer than we thought
This idea reminds me of the project Prof. Curtis did at Eckerd with students here and students at a local elementary school. The project was the Edible Peach Patch Garden (http://vimeo.com/4367393) with similar goals to the We Farm Victory Gardens.
ReplyDeleteI like that you are trying to reappropriate the term "Victory Garden." You note in the blog that you are responsible for heading up the project, but tell me more. What exactly will you personally be doing? Are you much of a gardener? Will you be there getting your hands dirty or will you be doing more of the classroom work?
This sounds like a great project and certainly something that is quite timely, as you so rightly note.