GreenFistPutsTeenstoWorkLearning
HowtoGrowFreshProduce
http://thebattlecreekshopper.com/greenfist‐puts‐teens‐to‐work‐learning‐how‐to‐grow‐
fresh‐produce‐p1387‐1.htm
KidsfromMyLearningCommunityandGreenFistProjectteamupto
paint,constructandinstallasignatPrairieviewElementarySchoollast
week.
DougAllen
Thu,Aug18,2011
OnThursday,Aug.4youthfromMyLearningCommunityandSproutUrbanFarmsteamed
up to construct, paint and install signs at community gardens located at Mike’s Place
(formerPostElementary),TrinityLutheranChurchandPrairieviewElementarySchool.
“We have a collaborative effort between the My Learning Community kids and the
GreenFist Project of Sprout Urban Farms,” said Jeremy Andrews, executive director of
SproutUrbanFarms.“TheygottogetherandmadeupabunchofsignsforvariousSprout
UrbanFarmcommunitygardens.Today(Aug.4)wedidsomeweedingaswell,butwedon’t
maintainthesegardens,wehelpsupportthemwithinfrastructure,seed,soil,stufflikethat.
Today we’re in the Post/Franklin and Prairieville areas and our next effort with My
LearningCommunitywillbebuildingafenceinLevelParkinacoupleweeks.”
GreenFist is an internship program designed to introduce young adults to vegetable
gardening and the associated entrepreneurial opportunities available through urban
gardening.Eachcandidate(includingDonavonCampbell,mentionednextinthestory)had
toapplyandinterviewfortheGreenFistinternship.Theirgroupismadeupof12members,
ages16to23yearsold.
Donavon Campbell, 17, of Battle Creek, is one of the GreenFist Project interns. He was
digging holes with a post hole digger and otherwise helping wherever he could with the
worklastweek.
“I’manewmemberoftheGreenFistProject,whichispartoftheSproutUrbanFarms,”he
said.“We’rethehardworkers,thegroundworkersofSproutUrban.Ifhardworkneedsto
be done – call us. Today we’re putting in signs at community gardens, weeding and we
madethesignsourselves.”
Andrews added, that along with the previously mentioned fence in Level Park, the
GreenFistcrewwillbeorganizinganOctoberHarvestFestivalandbuildingraingardensin
severallocationstocapturerainwaterrun‐offforfoodgrowingpurposes.
Campbellmentionedhe’sonlybeenwiththeGreenFistProjectashorttime,buthaslearned
alotalready.
“I’velearnedalotaboutdifferenttypesofflowers,pullingweeds,differenttypesoffruits
andvegetablesandhowtogarden,”hesaid.“We’velearnedaboutallsortsofdifferenttools
andhowtousethemintherightsituation.”
AndrewssaidthecollaborationwithMyLearningCommunitywillcontinueforawhile.
“Wehaveacouplegroupsworkingoninfrastructureatseveralofthecommunitygardens
in town,” he said. “Besides the signs, they’ve worked on rain harvest systems and we’re
buildingaportablefarmstandsoitcangoaroundtowntovariouscommunitygardensand
help them sell some of their vegetables. Ultimately it will teach the students the
entrepreneurialvalueoffood,youcanactuallymakemoneyraisingandsellingfood.”
Andrewshintedatabigprojectthatisintheplanningstagesrightnow.
“Theplanfornextyearistohopefullybuildaninner‐cityproductionfarm,”hesaid.“We’d
liketohavelivestock,raisechickens,selleggs,growfoodandhavekidsthisagementoring
evenyoungerkids.It’sjustintheplanningstagesnow,butforusitcouldbeanotherchance
toteachyouththevalueofhardworkandentrepreneurialism.”
Thisprogram,undertheauspicesofKelloggCommunityCollege(KCC)iscurrentlygiving
about20teensthechancetoearnfivecredithourswhileservingtheircommunityduring
the10‐week“MyLearningCommunity”thatbeganonJuly5.
IninformationprovidedbyKCCtheyindicatethisprogramisfundedbya$148,150grant
fromtheW.K.KelloggFoundation.
The16‐19‐year‐oldsfromlocalhighschoolsengageinguidedlearningexperiences.
Theyspend20hoursperweek,foratotalof200hours,takingclassesandworkingwithin
theBattleCreekcommunity.
TheclassroomworktakesplaceatKCC’smaincampusanditsRegionalManufacturingand
TechnologyCenterandfocusesonbasicwrittenandverbalskillsforbusinesses,computing
proficiencies,basicpersonalandprojectbudgeting.
Thenthe youth, supervised by the Mylestone Project (the project is founded in the belief
thatonetimelyinteractionistheonlyrequiredcatalystinaperson’slifenecessarytomake
lastingchange),arespendingtherestoftheirhoursworkingoutinthecommunity.
The students accomplish this and learn how to work with various organizations through
efforts coordinated by the college, the Mylestone Project, and a variety of local
organizations.
Among those organizations Battle Creek Parks and Recreation provided equipment for
neighborhood involvement activities, Sprout Urban Farms was active in providing
community organizing training, technical assistance and materials during community
beautification projects and a local bank is providing training on financial planning and
moneymanagement.