In this period of time, we find ourselves living in a world where technology dominates almost all aspects of our lives. We often find ourselves disconnected from the world around us, especially the natural world. Undoubtedly, the advancement of innovations has brought convenience into our lives, yet it has resulted in us dedicating less time to embracing the green environment and spaces around us. But what if we pause for a quick moment and set our screens aside and step into a place where we can rediscover and explore the hidden beauty of nature?
Gardens are more than just a source of aesthetic pleasure; they also serve as a location for sustainability and building bridges between communities. Among all of the green spaces located in New York, there are many examples of Black-owned gardens and farms that display the powerful resilience and cultural preservation of the natural world. Taking a visit to these places will remind us of the importance of caring for ourselves and the Earth.
In this blog, we will navigate through the journey with Black-owned gardens across the state and explore how they are bridging the gap between people and nature. So let us together take a step away from our screens and embark on the journey and stories that lie in each garden.
Located in Brooklyn, NY, Natty Garden is often referred to as the “plant nursery for the community.” Taking a step into the store, visitors are warmly greeted by welcoming assortments of a variety of both indoor and outdoor plants. Growing up in Jamaica, Joel Mahfood, the founder of the garden, aspired to bring a part of the natural beauty of plants into Brooklyn. From his efforts in doing so, he created a space where people can interact with plants while simultaneously reconnecting with nature. With its welcoming atmosphere, Natty Garden has become more than just a plant store but a place for those wanting to embrace the natural beauty of plants and creating a deeper connection with our environment.
Check out a video here where our founder explored the location herself!
“Plants are very therapeutic. It helps to see the growth over time and to know that you are caring for a living thing.” - Joel Mahfood
Located in Brooklyn, NY, the Hattie Carthan Community Garden was named in honor of Hattie Carthan, an American activist and environmentalist. She’s known for her pivotal role in transforming the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood as she advocated for the protection of trees and encouraged people in the community to plant trees to improve the livability of the neighborhood. Through her efforts, she led to the planting of over 1,500 trees in the area. As Hattie Carthan aspired to encourage residents of Bedford-Stuyvesant to work together to expand environmental awareness, the community garden did just that.
Hattie Carthan Community Garden continues to incorporate her mission by creating an environment to promote community collaboration. The garden hosts a variety of workshops surrounding important issues such as food security and nutrition needs, which empower residents to not only take care of the environment but also their well-being and health. In addition to educating the community, the garden also serves as a place to celebrate environmental holidays such as Earth Day. The garden also features a farmer's market where they provide access to fresh-grown produce to the community around them.
"We've already lost too many trees, houses, and people...your community - you owe something to it. I didn't care to run" - Hattie Carthan
The Seasons Garden, located in Bedford-Stuyvesant, is founded and owned by Deborah Young. The garden to Deborah acts more than just a source of income; it is a place in her community where people can relax and connect with one another. Being empowered by her family’s history and stories of their resilience offers her the strength to create a place where people can celebrate their growth and development.
However, despite the positive impact the Seasons Garden had on its community, the garden is currently facing some significant challenges. Recently, the garden was targeted by thieves, and on top of this, Deborah is also dealing with the rising cost of the land on which her store is operating. These hardships are acting as a great threat to what Deborah has been working to protect and build for her community. However, with the right amount of support, we can together ensure that the Seasons Garden can continue to live as a symbol of resilience.
"A lot of people look at plants as if they are art or accessories, an they're not. They're living things that will tell you what they need" - Deborah Young
Oko Farms, located in Brooklyn, NY, is a unique urban farm that utilizes aquaponics farming. Aquaponics farming is a sustainable agricultural method that combines the use of raising fish with growing plants. In this system, the fish that are used will produce waste that can be broken down into nutrients by bacteria that can be absorbed and used by plants. In return, the plants will help clean and filter the water in which the fish live, creating a beneficial loop. By using aquaponics, Oko Farms is not only working to mitigate climate change but also producing fresh produce for the Brooklyn community around them. Oko Farms also serves as an educational hub offering workshops and educational sessions where they share the knowledge on the benefits and techniques of using aquaponics farming. Additionally, Oko Farms welcomes those who are eager to volunteer and show their support to their community.
However, Oko Farms is currently facing a major challenge: having to relocate to a new site due to the loss of their lease. Relocating an aquaponics farm is not an easy task, and to overcome this hurdle, Oko Farms is currently accepting donations where you can help them to not only secure a new home for the farm but also ensure that the community continues to receive educational opportunities provided by the farm.
"This is a space for me to fail, and use that failure to support people in being able to do this for themselves." - Yemi Amu
Food for Thought: How can you Bridge Nature and Community in Your Own Neighborhood?
These stories of Black-owned gardens are a reminder to us of the importance of uniting with our communities and working together towards a common goal. So what are some ways in which you can connect to green spaces near you?
Here are some ways you can start your journey:
Research for Local Community Gardens and Farms: The internet offers many tools that you can utilize to find gardens, farms, or green spaces near you. Some examples of these tools include Google Maps, Yelp, or even blogs like this that can introduce you to these places nearby. Additionally, looking up “community gardens” and “urban farms” along with your location can help narrow your search.
Find Volunteering Opportunities: Looking for volunteer opportunities is also a great way to network with other individuals and contribute to your community. This is an awesome way to spend your free time and take part in learning more about gardening and sustainable living.
Attend Community Events: You might have passed some flyers hanging around the city. These flyers can include community events that you can attend where organizations host workshops or even farmer’s markets that are occurring during the weekend. It is also a good idea to check the social media of organizations or community pages in your area.
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