The
Detroit Agricultural Network’s motto is "Growing People and
Communities." It would like to see sustainable urban development that
preserves cultural “roots” while creating self-sustaining neighborhoods.
The
organization has many objectives. First,
it would like to see a garden and educational programs in every school in order
to open the doors to agricultural careers for urban youth.
Members
of the Detroit Agricultural Network would also like to see the numerous vacant
lots in Detroit transformed into community gardens, neighborhood farms and
outdoor farm markets. By creating such small-scale agricultural cooperatives,
they say, gardeners could gain a better understanding of the natural
environment, as well as put food on their families’ plates.
The Gardening Angels is another group that understands the role nature can play in urban communities such as Detroit. The group began with 74-year-old Lillian Clark who simply expanded her own burgeoning garden into a nearby vacant lot. Others soon planted in the lot, and it became a community garden that inspired over 150 similar gardens in nearby neighborhoods.
Members
say that gardening is a way to rebuild their communities on their own terms
instead of relying on empty promises from politicians and large corporations.
Gardening
Angel Annie Brown says that her garden is her domain – a place that is unlike
the world she sees around her.
“As
I sing and talk to my plants and flowers, I realize that there are things in
life that we don't want that we have to do anyway,” says Brown.
“When I look at my garden, I see that I am in charge.
I have the final say as to what happens and what doesn't.”
The
work is not simple. The gardens require patience, strategy and action.
There is winter planning, spring planting, summer tending, and fall
harvesting, canning and composting to consider.
However,
these separate tasks create an opportunity for people of all ages, races and
backgrounds to work together toward a common goal, thus strengthening the social
fabric of the neighborhood.
In
addition, gardeners can take pride in feeding their families with food from
their own gardens. Any excess food
is divided up among neighbors and homeless shelters.
Many
argue, though, that the best benefit of community gardening is that young people
learn to produce and give back.
But
being able to manage and produce something that will sustain a community is
“Take
pride in what you do have, especially those things that you have the ability to
manage,” says 97-year-old Gardening Angel Nina Pruitt.
“Love your yard. Love your family. Love
the community. Love yourself
and learn to appreciate simple things.”