Posted on 05/03/2008 5:15:20 AM PDT by Graybeard58
WATERBURY -- The first thing that Hill Street brings to mind probably isn't farming, but in a small way, Sue Pronovost is hoping to change that image, one vacant lot at a time.
"This is our crown jewel," said Pronovost, director of Brass City Harvest, a newly organized agency focusing on growing food in the inner city.
Pronovost, whose specialty is grant writing, became a convert to urban agriculture several years ago and is now trying to bring the city up to speed on a movement that has been having a big impact in tough urban areas.
With the Crownbrook Neighborhood Association, Pronovost is preparing to plant the first crops of their second season in the Hill Street garden.
The ideals behind urban agriculture are varied and lofty.
The movement aims to improve "food security," and to aid the poor in urban areas.
Last year the group harvested more than 100 pounds of tomatoes out of the Hill Street garden.
"If a family of four can rely on that, they save their food stamp dollar for other necessary staples," said Pronovost.
Brass City Harvest, which is funded by a $46,000 grant from the state Department of Agriculture, also offers a way to keep inner-city children out of trouble by giving them an outlet.
The Crownbrook neighborhood is fairly far removed from city recreational facilities and meeting places.
"There's no park up here, there's nothing for them," said Pronovost.
On the basis of the first year's effort, there are now plans to organize a 4H chapter in Crownbrook for the children working in the garden.
Brass City Harvest also will be taking over the Farmers' Market on the Green; produce grown in community gardens in Waterbury will end up among the offerings at that summertime event.
The group will hold a fundraiser and mini-market today at the House on The Hill, 92 Woodlawn Terrace, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., which will include lectures on pest management, a wine tasting and a seminar on landscaping.
$46,000?
Ping.
Yeh...$45,595 goes to people in charge of distributing the seeds.
Wonder how they keep the gang bangers, drug addicts and bums out? Maybe part of the $46,000 is for armed guards.
Probably the cost to purchase the lot. you just can’t go around planting things on previously improved lots. There may also be a cost factor in cleaning up the lot to make it suitable to grow anything.
100lbs of tomatoes is what, 10 plants?
I’ll be glad to provide all the tomatoes they want, delivered, at $460/lb.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.