Love Grows Farms…
If you have never physically visited Love City you may not know that we have two urban greenhouses for growing vegetables. We have had these for 7-8 years and they have been used as ingredients at Porkland, for selling fresh produce to local restaurants, neighborhood farmer’s markets, and Mighty Oak gardening classes. Over those years we have learned a lot about urban farming and the requirements that our greenhouses need to best thrive in our neighborhood. Yesterday marked the first day in the new era of Love City gardening.
The issues we came across with the gardens in our neighborhood revolved around maintaining the integrity of the greenhouses. At times the greenhouses would be transformed into makeshift Airbnbs, with our houseless neighbors looking to escape the elements in the protection of the greenhouses. We would get them to leave and explain the importance of the greenhouses in the community but another cold or rainy night would come and another person would seek the refuge of the greenhouses. We would lock the doors and the plastic on the ends would be torn through. The elements also took their toll with snow and ice weighing down the tarp and breaking through as well as small sticks and debris puncturing the tarp. With the knowledge gained from these experiences we were able to make adjustments when getting the greenhouses re-tarped.
The greenhouse where someone ripped it open to gain entry
Storm Damage over the past 8 years
The first change is that the ends are no longer the same penetrable plastic as before, but they are solid, polycarbonate walls that can not be torn through so the greenhouses will now be able to be totally secured. The other change is that instead of one layer of plastic covering the shell, there are two sheets. This way there is a barrier of air that helps insulate the greenhouse better and offers some protection from damage from sticks and debris blown around in storms. These changes will help create a more durable, more sustainable greenhouse for us to grow into the future, as well as provide us the opportunity to manually heat the greenhouse for more winter growing as well. All important changes to create a foundation for successful growth that can assist in changing a community. And growing fresh produce can help change a community.
The greenhouse with tarp removed
The new polycarbonate ends on the greenhouse
You often hear people talk about neighborhoods like ours being in a food desert. Few restaurants, not many easily accessible grocery options, and little fresh produce. But that term is ridiculous. Portland sits on fertile land that used to be a farm. There is no lack of ability to grow produce, there is lack of knowledge on how to grow produce and how to use that produce. Having healthy gardens will allow us to help change that by getting students in the garden with dirty hands and curious minds to learn where food comes from and how it can be used to help them and their families live more nutritiously. This leads to the name of our gardens, “Love Grows Farms”.
When you show a little bit of love to your community then you can help literally and figuratively plant seeds to show what is possible, then you can help show the next generation a different way of living. A way of relying on the land more than SNAP benefits, of eating for nutrition rather than to not be hungry, and of self reliance rather than corporate dependence. Love really can grow farms, and a generation that is more free to love one another.
Ethan
School Snack List!!!
If you are looking for a way to support Mighty Oak Academy and our mission of quality community based education, please consider helping us provide our students with nutritious snacks from our Amazon Wish List, you can order here.
Merriment!!!
Merriment is closed today. We hope to see you next week. If you aren’t able to make it within our hours, you can always shop our high dollar items on our website here.
Fish Fry Open!!!
The Fish Fry is open!! Come get your fix of fish or churched up tots. Look forward to seeing you for a nice warm meal. We have new and returning menu items for you to try including fries, chicken tenders, and burgers.
If you are interested in volunteering or to find out more information about supplies needed please email: info@lovecityinc.org or call (502) 272-078.