GreenFist Puts Teens to Work Learning How to Grow Fresh Produce
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.
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