Young student pay close attention while Master Gardener Rina show them how Milkweed pollinates by the currents of wind...

New Brunswick CUrbanharter School School Gardens FoodCorps Case Studies Contents

Introduction Page 1

Who is FoodCorp? Page 2 - 3

FoodCorp Case Studies Page 4 - 18

Trenton 4 - 6 Isles Inc. Grant Elementary Mott Elementary School Gardens

Newark 7 - 13 Greater Newark Conservancy Court Street Garden Hawthorne Ave. Farm St. Philip’s Academy

Camden 14 - 15 Center for Family Services H.B. Wilson Family School

new Brunswick 16 - 19 Jones Ave. Farmers Market Greater Brunswick Charter School

Conclusion Page 20 - 21 Introduction

Ag & The Landscape + FoodCorp

In 2009, with a focus on school children and community health, the nationwide FoodCorps project was established under AmeriCorps. Since then, this young organization has grown to create 145 garden sites in 16 states and Washington D.C. The service members of FoodCorps are devoted to connecting children with fresh food and teaching them about healthy living by using school gardens. Each service member’s job is to “give hands on lessons about food and nutrition, build and tend to school gardens, give cooking classes, and change what is on their lunch trays.” They have been extremely successful in changing children’s attitudes towards fruits and vegetables by letting them plant, care for, pick, and eat the end product (for more information, see foodcorps. org). By decreasing the barriers that schools encounter in attaining local, fresh food, FoodCorps is improving the quality of life for individuals in these communities of NJ. In the hands of these committed service members, visible and exciting progress is being made.

As a class, we were able to see the work that our NJ FoodCorp do first hand during our trips. We also learned many sobering statistics, and saw several things that demonstrate the real need for FoodCorps in urban societies to bring about changes. Our colloquium had the opportunity to see that through the use of urban gardening, educational tools can be extremely effective in improving school children’s attitudes towards healthy, local food. Watching the service members, volunteers, teachers, children, and the community members connect with each other through this process has been just one of the many great experiences that we have had this semester. The following information in this report is a summary of the many things we have learned between our school visits, observations, numerous interviews, and information gathered online.

This report is compiled by: 550:371 Agriculture & The Landscape Rutgers, The State University of New Steven Aiello Raja Grewal Jersey Ahmed Anwar Theresa Hyslop Department of Landscape Architecture Mohamad Anwar James Johnson Theodore Aretakis Wesley Johnson Instructor: Gillian Armstrong Stephen Madama Holly Nelson Peter Chang Ryan Pettit James Cocorles In collaboration with William Costakes FoodCorps of New Jersey Elaine Erlenbach AmeriCorps Tatiana Gladney Our Vision

“We are creating a future in which all our nation’s children––regardless of class, race, or geography––know FoodCorps Founders Crissie McMcullan, Cecily upton, Debra Eschmeyer, what healthy food is, care where it Ian Cheney, Jerusha Klemperer, Curt Ellis (From left to Right) comes from, and eat it every day. Through our work, future generations will grow up to lead healthier and more productive lives. We are creating a future in which all our nation’s children––regardless of class, race, or geography––know what healthy food is, care where it comes from, and eat it every day. Through our work, future generations will grow up to lead healthier and more productive lives.”

The FoodCorps team first came together in California on Earth Day 2009, the day President Obama signed the Kennedy Serve America Act into law. This legislation signaled a new opportunity to engage AmeriCorps in building a more sustainable, healthful, equitable food system.

Rather than being designed from the top down, FoodCorps sprang from the grassroots up: a national initiative that thousands of local voices shaped according to their needs... FoodCorps drew strong support from the communities we are now serving. Monthly open conference calls each attracted 45-190 participants. An initial 40-person Planning Summit grew into 300 volunteers actively participating in developing our current model. founding supporters

A federation of organizations stepped up to support the emerging FoodCorps effort: •Occidental College and the National Farm to School Network: (an umbrella organization working on behalf of 2,000 Farm to School initiatives nationwide) •Slow Food USA: a 200-chapter volunteer network working for integrity in food and farming •The National Center for Appropriate Technology: operators of a model program in Montana •Wicked Delicate: the documentary and advocacy firm founded by the co-creators of King Corn The Isles program has been Nordquist. Dr. Nordquist went on several tree stumps to serve as chairs committed to helping its local to explain to us that the college in a circle that is the hopeful future community since 1981. They provide garden was only about a few site of what Dr. Nordquist described several types of services that months old, it was a second shot as “Green Stock” for social lead to one goal, “The Bettering at a college garden since there interactions with students. During of Trenton”.Isles’ most important was another one before it that was the one season that this garden service to the city of Trenton is its established in 2010 that did not has been operating, the volunteers Urban Agriculture program, which work out very well due to lack of were able to cultivate and donate reaches out to all types of local water access, adequate fencing, 650 pounds of food to the food residents. The Isles urban agriculture and fertile soil, that was later shut bank, this is a great indicator of how program benefits the community down. The new garden was started even a small young garden can in several ways. For those in need in 2014 and is now surrounded by make a big difference. The college of fresh nutritious food, there’s a fence with a locking gate that garden portrays to us a theme of the produce that comes from helps protect the crops from the selflessness and generosity. A lot of the Isles gardens. For people who local deer populations as well as hard work goes into this garden, need to learn, they offer learning local students who use to go to the and at the end the produce goes opportunities about Agriculture garden and leave without closing to those in need, this display is not and urban land utilization. But most the gate thus allowing animals to one often seen in this modern world important of all they offer children get in. College garden gets all of we live in, so it’s a great thing to see a place to be and something to do its financial support from TCNJ. All exist today. after school, keeping them off of the gardening is done Dr. Nordquist the streets and allowing them the himself along with volunteers opportunity to do something useful from the Bonner institute. All the and rewarding with their free time. food collected from the College garden goes to the Mercer Street When on the tour of the Isles Friends Food Bank to be distributed gardens with Jim, he mentioned amongst soup kitchens and those that Isles receives most of its funding in need of fresh food. There is also from private organizations and a small area in the garden that has donors, Americorps and FoodCorps, government grants, and aid from such educational institutions as Rutgers University and The College of New Jersey. During the tour we visited 4 gardens, 33 tucker st, Perry st gardens, the children’s garden and Gandhi garden. These 4 gardens were similar in that they were all amidst an extremely urban city and that they all brought something of a natural beauty to their settings.

The following week we toured the TCNJ college garden and had the opportunity to interview Dr. Michael Trenton

Grant Elementary The grant elementary garden In the city of Trenton FoodCorps was actually located behind the has a multitude of functions. parking lot and was actually a lot From renovating old worn, down bigger than we expected. The gardens, to teaching the youth school which was once pre k to 8th about planting and healthy eating grade is now pre k to 5th grade. as well as everything in between . Since the 8th graders used to tend FoodCorps , along with Isles and the garden it is now up to the 5th Americorps work to beautify Trenton graders of Ms. Depompo’s and Ms. in several aspects. They renovate Lee’s classes to run the garden. Food gardens, turn old unused lots into Corps and Isles partner up also and gardens, help keep kids off the come in sometimes during the year street by giving them an alternate to help as well as in the summer to schooling option so they can get maintain the garden when school is GED’s. They also send individuals out. Isles and the grant elementary into different levels of school from school administration are the ones of healthy diets, in science they preschool to high school. When they really behind the funding of the speak about how plants grow and visit they bring with them different school garden. Isles provides many their processes, in math they use the foods, games lessons, and maybe supplies as well as in class help. garden to learn about perimeter even stories about planting and They have two Master Gardeners and area using the dimensions vegetables for the younger kids. who volunteer to help maintain of the plots. Also there isn’t an the garden and teach the students official recess built into the day The schools we visited with Christina, every week. But Mrs. Depompo is the however every now and then there the FoodCorps representative one who spearheads the garden is a structured recess in which the were Grant elementary and Mott and overlooks what happens with it. students go outside and partake in elementary, both of which are in a fun but educational activity with Trenton. Of course they work with The curriculum utilizes the garden in a purpose. The children absolutely several other schools and programs several ways. For example in health love being in Mrs. Depompo’s besides these two schools as well. they speak about the importance class because they actually have the privilege of using the garden. They finish the broccoli before the even leave the raised beds! The children love being able to interact with the plants and the soil and just experience nature especially since Trenton isn’t very rural. Grant elementary school garden was actually featured in the local Trenton newspaper when they had their corn harvest. The stalks of the corn were huge and the paper thought it worthy for a story entitled “Children of the corn”. They paper came and took pictures and wrote a story comically ending it with the many other healthy alternatives to fact that the students planned to junk food. Isles generously donates have a big popcorn party when goods, and offers aid to assist in they left. maintaining the garden. With a class like this that may need Mott Elemetary extra help, working in a garden is truly eye opening in many aspects. School Gardens The children thought that apples When we visited Mott elementary spontaneously materialized from we experienced Christina our super markets. The kids need this FoodCorps rep teaching a special experience because it teaches needs class about apples, their them not only where fruits and origins, flavors, sizes, colors, etc. The vegetables come from but just the passion with which she interacted simple fact that in order for there to with the children was truly a sight for be an output, an input is necessary. sore eyes. She made them laugh , Isles FoodCorps, and AmeriCorps learn and love to do so. The special are all contributing in ways that needs class that Christina works are truly life changing. They are with is the one that actually tends providing Trenton with a love for the garden under the direction of agriculture and an appreciation for Mrs. Pullian. Mott elementary has knowledge that will never wilt. two raised beds in their playground area. They have been using their garden for at least 9 years and love doing it. The kids love learning about all the different things they grow and above all eating them! They harvest all of the goods from the gardens and make things such as salads and applesauce and Newark

Greater today. Jamie mentioned that she The Greater Newark Conservancy feels fortunate to be able to commit provides Newark schools with Newark Conservancy herself to farming/gardening while the tools and equipment When we first walked into the incorporating it with teaching needed to build an “outdoor Greater Newark Conservancy we children. As an art major, she sees garden classroom.” The overall were amazed with what surrounded farming as an art form. maintenance is provided by us. It was a lush oasis right in the workers from the conservancy, but middle of one of New Jersey’s The size of the Greater Newark the schools are heavily involved largest cities. Plants that looked like Conservancy is approximately 2-3 with maintaining the garden as they belonged in a tropical forest acres, with trails through numerous well, through weeding, planting, were visible, along with traditional different styles of gardens. The and cleanup. Once the outdoor plants seen throughout the state. property also includes numerous garden is established, the Greater We were truly mesmerized…it murals, and a large building which Newark Conservancy provides two seemed like the perfect escape for was formally a synagogue, and monthly lessons, which are intended a resident of Newark. is being transformed into learning space for the community. The Before we began our interview garden space has a greenhouse with Jamie Bruno, the center was that is approximately 1000 square concluding a workshop with an feet, where lavish tropical plants Urban Habitat program. We were such as the banana plant could fortunate enough to see school be found. The Greater Newark children from the Newark area Conservancy also composts on site. touring the conservancy, while participating in hands on activities, Since the Conservancy is a Non- such as planting seeds and Profit it is open to all residents of stimulating their senses in the “Sense Newark. Additionally, they work Garden.” with numerous schools through programs on site as well as at the Our meeting began with Jamie schools. Here are a few programs in Bruno, a now FoodCorps member place: Living Laboratory for about a month. Jamie began telling us about her prior experiences, and she was fortunate enough to have lived in Korea, where she worked with children teaching them art. After several years abroad, Jamie returned to the states where she took a farming course touring the country, and followed that up with farming in urban gardens throughout Newark. Prior to joining the Greater Newark Conservancy, she worked in several gardens throughout Newark, and still has connections with them to be interactive and hands on. resources and our objectives, so The purpose of this program is to what would you like to see/do?” have students gain insight about Essentially this issue goes beyond environmental awareness, and educating students, but teachers sustainability. and parents must be educated on the program and the overall Monthly Outreach Lessons intentions.

This program works with the same The day-to-day maintenance and schools on a consistent basis. The activities are completed by hired idea is to help enhance traditional workers who are paid a salary. We curriculum (math, science, and were fortunate enough to meet the reading) while integrating the Horticulturalist expert, Greg, who environment into the context of the oversees the growth and production Chicken Coops material. of the crops/plants located at the facility. The conservancy also lettuces, herbs, spinach, radishes, Extended accepts volunteers to help with there were even some raspberries Classroom Experiences maintenance, but Jamie made it left that we munched on with Justin clear that the majority of operations and some of the workers that were During our visit to the Greater of watering, weeding, and planting there at the garden. The site also Newark Conservancy, we witnessed are completed by paid workers. had a hoop house, which allowed one of the “Extended Classroom them to get crops growing earlier Experiences” ending. This program One of the more unique experiences in the season, and also extend their brings schools, activist groups, youth at the conservancy has to do with growing season later into the year. programs, religious organizations, shoes. Throughout the conservancy There was a nice size compost pile etc. to the garden where students are shoes filled with soil and a there, which they used for fertilizer are able to interactively tour the variety of wildflowers growing from along the plant beds. They also had site and participate in hands-on them. When our group was walking chicken cope on site and we went activities. Each plant is labeled with Justin Allen, he pointed out inside with Justin to help collect with its common name, as well as one particular pair of shoes, which some of the eggs. Along side the its Latin name. Additionally, the happened to be some all black chicken coop there were a couple specific gardens have descriptions Air Jordans; nice shoes to say the of beehives, which were not doing for those wanting to acquire least. Well, when the workers at so hot. The wasps in the area had further knowledge. With the the conservancy were planting wiped them out almost completely. demonstrations, FoodCorps and into the shoes, one found a pair of The agricultural practices were very the Greater Newark Conservancy those Air Jordans and thought they sustainable. The guys working there intend to inform individuals how to were part of the project, so she knew what there doing establishing garden and grow vegetables at went ahead and planted in them. raised beds with drip line irrigation. their own homes. Later that day, Greg, the GNC’s They even made mini hoop houses horticulturist started asking around if over top of the crop beds, which According to Jamie, the role anyone had seen his shoes since he was very creative, and allowed the FoodCorps plays is to promote left them inside before putting his plants to grow a lot better. awareness and educate on healthy work boots on. It turns out that those living. Much of the food grown at Jordans belonged to Greg, and The garden was 100% a production the garden is donated; but they they still grace the conservancy garden. They hold farmers markets do also have a farmers market on today! weekly there, along with supplying Friday evenings. It was indicated other farmers market throughout that the current Marketing of the Court Street Garden Newark. Along with that, they organization is rather lackluster, and Justin who is the manager for GNC supplied to many soup kitchens in one of Jamie’s current objectives and manages many of the farms in Newark with the produce grown is to “spread the word” to try and around the city of Newark took us there on site. get more people on board. Jamie to the Court Street farm. It was a also noted that it is pretty tough great little farm on a vacant lot. The getting teachers on board with the place used to be an old brewery gardening programs. She indicated for making beer. It’s got this cool that you can’t go into schools old brick building on it, where they and tell teachers “here is what we processed the hops and made need to do!” but you must rather beer. The garden was very well approach and tell them “here maintained and they had a variety is what we have, these are our of fall crops growing, such as your Grants Donations

Rutgers Ag. Volunteers Dept.

Grants Donations Newark School, Rutgers Ag. Volunteers Conservency Dept. students

Newark School, Conservency Hawthorne students Community Food Corp Ave. Farm Farmers Supporters Production Hawthorne farm Community Food Corp Chickens Ave. Farm Farmers Greenhouse and Supporters Composting

Mini Hoop Courtland Farmer's Acess to Houses Market healthy foods

Acess to Street healthy foods Produce for farmer's Job training Farm Producemarkets for Satellight farmer's Job training Community markets Farm of Greening GNC What HawthorneWhat Honey Bee Hawthorne Job training Ave. hives Ave. DonationsDonations to createscreates Educational Educational soupsoup kitchens kitchens Programs Programs

Environmental Community awarness greening Environmental Community awarness greening

Hawthorne Avenue Farm This relatively large vacant lot has tons of potential for the future farming ofNewark. It is the 2nd major urban farm in the city of Newark. Hawthorne Ave. Farm features dozens of community plots; fruit tree tunnels, a grape trellis, a blueberry patch, as well as a permanent farm stand. As we entered the vast plot we could see a group of older women tending to the lush green plots of vegetables. Meeting with Justin Allen and Jamie Bruno a Food Corps member I was able to get a fully guided tour of the Hawthorne Ave Farm. It was awesome to pick red raspberries with them as we walked around the farm looking at all it provides and learning what its mission is towards the Greater Newark Conservancy.

The overall size of the farm really stands out stretching from one side of the block to the other littered with elevated 6x6 ft. plots. Through help from people in the community, the Greater Newark Conservancy, Food Corps members, donations, grants, and Justin Allen the greening director of the Conservancy this farm is able to flourish during the growing season. It is very clear that this farm can really produce a substantial amount of produce for both the community and its perm ant market on the side of the farm.

This Farm is very unique because it is focused on both a small production scale farming buy providing fresh produce for their Farmer’s Market and also it contains a designated area where the community can farm through the Adopt a Lot Program. Through this program, people from the community adopt a plot and are able to farm for Ave. Farm plans to get the school themselves. Paying only $10 the involved in the spring of 2015 by first year and $5 for the upcoming establishing these educational years gets them all the tools they programs. Through these programs need to plant and grow their own they plan to educate young how vegetables. Having an element to farm and prepare freshly picked school directly a crossed from vegetables. Through this students this farm will eventually allow will learn where their food comes for education programs to take from and how it is grown right their place on the farm. The Hawthorne in their backyard. Philips Academy Charter School FoodCorps finds communities that lack nutritional opportunity. This lack of nutritionalopportunity comes from a lack of ability to afford nutritious food, and a lack of ability to shop for nutritious food, this results when the only accessible food stores are corner stores with chips and rarely produce. This is common in low income communities. FoodCorps works to solve these problems as a part of AmeriCorps and receives funding from AmeriCorps. In addition to working AmeriCorps, Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon the lack of time the community FoodCorps works with a variety and Washington D.C. FoodCorps members many of the people that of organizations including many Is an expanding organization live in Newark are working multiple nonprofit organizations, State and involved in many different states all jobs and gardening is simply not local Governmental organizations, over the U.S.A. what they want to do in their small including public and private schools, amount of free time. However with the goal of increasing nutrition The school garden for Philips FoodCorps has shown time and throughout many communities. Academy Charter School is located time again that when people are on the roof over the gym. The area motivated to make a change FoodCorps works with a large is roughly about 100 by 40 ft. Rachel even the most difficult goals can variety of schools including; the Terry a Teacher at Philips Academy become possible with the right Philips Academy Charter School, Charter School as well as a Food people involved. Greater Newark Conservancy, Corps Service member, explained New Brunswick Community Farmers that one of her main goals was to Phillips Academy does not have Market, Isles located in Trenton, expand the garden to nearby lots. any official partners, although they NJPHK Camden, and Center for She explained how the city has so accept funding through donations Environmental Transformation. The much potential and it would be from the support of friends, goal is to help provide this much a great way for the community foundations and corporations. The needed nutritional opportunity to get involved. Unfortunately it state funds each student up to for children and adults of these is a difficult project to undergo $12,500.00, based on their district neighborhoods. because of town regulations and and each student’s particular lack of community support. needs. Cost of education per In addition to the schools listed student is roughly $17,250.00 above in New Jersey FoodCorps At this point in time, the children annually in Newark. works with Cities all over the USA in and the teachers are the only ones states including Arizona, Arkansas, to use the garden. The garden is Phillips Academy integrates the California, Connecticut, Georgia, incorporated in all aspects of the garden into school curriculum Hawaii, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, school and all classes’ progress through the Ecospaces program. Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, New at the same pace with the studies Ecospaces is a way to integrate focused around the garden and farming, health and wellness ideas what is being learned at the time. into the school’s curriculum. The Along with Rachel’s goal for an core of the Ecospaces program expanded garden she also has a is based around the idea of goal of the boarder community providing students with healthy, becoming involved. This would fresh, and pesticide free lunches. yield a large positive result because The Kitchens involvement is to align children only have so much cooking to curriculum, stay true to purchasing power, it is the adults the season, and to bring as much in the community that make the local produce into the kitchen as decisions on what stores to buy possible. The School aims to provide from and what they will buy. This strictly non-GMO, and antibiotic- would result in what the stores will free meats. Through this the schools sell. The main challenges of this goal goal is to make students have a as Rachel explained are a lack of better understanding of nutrition support, this is mainly because of and where food comes from. The PHILIPS ACADEMY ECOSPACES PROGRAM PHILIPS ACADEMY SUPPORT SYSTEM ADMINISTRATION

FOOD CORPS FUNDING TEACHERS FOOD CORPS

GRANTS

MEMBERS

GOVERNMENT RESOURCES ROOFTOP TEACHING GARDEN KITCHEN PHILIPS ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL ECOSPACES PROGRAM ECOSPACES

MODEL STUDENTS FOR OTHER SCHOOLS CURRICULA ECO-ARTS NEWARK TEACHERS COMMUNITY

PARENTS

SPOUSES, ETC COMMUNITY SUSTAINABILITY OUTREACH

STUDENT STUDENT GROWTH WELLNESS

Steven Aiello, Theresa Hyslop, Stephen Madama, & Ryan Pettit Agriculture + Landscape - Fall 2014 Steven Aiello, Theresa Hyslop, Stephen Madama, & Ryan Pettit Agriculturescience + Landscape curriculum - Fall 2014 of the school is be schooled in home economic based entirely around sustainable practices, an opportunity which is Parents are not too involved with ecological processes in connecting losing its place in our educational the garden. Community and environmentally friendly ideas with system. educational integration to establish the reality of living in an area with outreach programs are a very a less than abundant fresh food Frank Mentesana spearheads the strong way to impact any given source. Phillips Academy also garden at Philips Academy. Frank community, and Phillips Academy strengthens the student’s ability has a background in food industry Charter School hopes to provide a to understand where food comes as well as publishing. He was first more integrated system involving from, and how is it prepared before hired in 2008 as a consultant, where parents as the school gains traction it is sold through the teaching he proposed to implement these in the future. kitchen. The teaching kitchen programs into Phillips Academy and is an opportunity for students to integrate initiatives with curriculum. Students of the schools have been receptive towards this new way of learning. Students which respond best to visual learning exercises benefit very much from experiential learning opportunities provided through the Ecospaces program.

Through the progressive and innovative ideas of faculty and supporters, Phillips Academy is paving the new road for the local food movement of New Jersey. As Phillips Academy links with FoodCorp to provide the maximum amount of resources to the schools transition, it continues to strengthen its unique approach towards prioritizing education and community vision. Camden

Center for Family healthy and does it in a fun way for is floating in sugary liquid. Now the kids. We learned that she is a everything is fresh and made in Services diabetic and this program has really house and served family style. The This school is almost like a diamond helped her in her own way so she meals served are for breakfast, in the rough compared to the can learn to eat healthier as well lunch, and an afternoon snack. surrounding area that is composed as eating healthy during the day at Breakfast may be whole grain of vacant lots and buildings. Its school. The school makes all meals cereal or pancakes with a side of students are made up of just in house and does not allow outside fresh fruit. Lunch might be chicken preschoolers who will only be in food in. Teachers and students are burritos, wild rice, vegetables and the school for a year and then will required to eat the same foods so whole grains. move to another one. This school that if the students seeing a teacher will be closing next year and they eating it they would be more inclined will be moving into a new location on eating it themselves. She really that is going to be much bigger. This sees them eating more vegetables, school has a hospital like feel when which wasn’t really incorporated you walk in since it is an extremely before food core. They were never sterile smelling environment. Some involved with teaching students on of the faculty we saw were even eating vegetables. Now food core dressed in scrubs. The green space has created lesson plans for them. that is composed in the compound Something that has been a big like school is relatively small and is success with this is the application comprised of a small lawn with a of the “Two Bite Club” where the play structure and in the corner is students are encouraged to try the schools garden. The garden something new and must take consists of just three plots that are a minimum of two bites of that approximately two feet wide by vegetable and will receive a sticker about six feet long and are raised or some other prize. In our first visit planters. In each planter is about we heard that there wasn’t a lot of five crops that are planted by the parents involved with the program students. What’s interesting about but as we were told the second this garden is that there are no tools visit that for some students they will used in planting or maintaining it, actually have the parents come in just getting dirty and putting your as support for them and they will hands in the dirt. Next to the three eat the vegetables together. This raised beds are a few tires that have has also been a collective effort herbs planted in them. This garden is in her eyes and has really made a more of a learning experience than difference to these children. a production garden; it is meant to teach rather than being able to Tara who is in charge of the program feed all of the students. at the school told us a little about the meal plan that the school as in We interviewed a teacher from place. Before her involvement there the school and she told us that was no fresh food in the kitchen it FoodCorp was a great experience was all canned and unhealthy. on teaching people how to be Food such as canned fruit, which H.B. Wilson Family School This school is much bigger than Center for Family Services and has a larger range of students that go from preschool through 8th grade. They have to go through prison- like security in order to enter. The garden was very large compared to the three plots at CFS but was neglected over the summer and was covered in weeds on our visit. There are plots with vegetables growing them but are just over run completely. They do have a composter, which is very useful for their garden. They are trying to get a $2,000 grant to improve the garden and have teachers take responsibility of the garden and make it their own unique place.

Mrs. Mattie was a teacher from the school that we got to speak to for a few minutes before one of her meetings. She seemed very busy with everything she has to do just for school alone so it might be hard for teachers to really take full responsibility for the maintenance of the garden. When asked about her experience with FoodCorp she said that they are doing an awesome job with engaging the student’s as well as educating them. The FoodCorp made their garden better and is creating a real life experience for those involved. The teachers are really embracing this program and learning themselves about gardening. We also asked if Mrs. Mattie had any prior experience with gardening and while she told us that she did have prior experience, she is still learning as she goes. The last question we got to ask her was what needs to improve with the school and she told us that lunches need to continue to get better and get healthier compared to what they are now. So far, teachers are very open to involving healthy foods and gardening into the curriculum and enhancing the school lunch system by changing the menu and adding seasonal fruits and vegetables. New Brunswick

Encouraging Bee Pollination

The New Brunswick Community On October 10th, 2014, Ms. Sarah on public transportation to move Farmers Market is an initiative to Dixon (senior partner & coordinator around campus. contribute to the community of the of the New Brunswick Community The children’s garden is the core city of New Brunswick. According Farmers Market) agreed to meet focus of the Food Corps objective the website, the purpose of the at the 178 Jones Ave location for to instill a sense of healthy eating New Brunswick farmers market is an interview. Ms. Dixon’s duties as habits for young children living to: “...Support development of the senior partner & coordinator in the community. The children’s a sustainable community, Instill of the farmers market consists of garden was initially planned to healthy eating habits, Improve organizing volunteers and planning be an interactive area to teach access to fresh produce, & events on behalf of the Food Corps. children how to grow crops and Empower and strengthen local The community garden grows various decorative flora. It’s the farmers and businesses...” (About various types of flora, produce, hope of the Food Corps that Us). Because of the past efforts of and fruit-bearing crops. During our allowing children to understand the New Brunswick farmers market, visit we saw tomatoes, marigolds, where their food comes from will our group decided to reach out strawberries, melons, Tomatillos, encourage them to be more active to a representative in order to morning glory, sunflowers, Bok in growing their own food and arrange for an interview to gain a Choy, Chard, Lettuce, lemon grass, volunteering in community gardens. better understanding of the farmers Aloe Vera, and many other crops. For example, Ms. Dixon mentioned market and their influence on the The big floral crop for the 178 Jones teaching children about the “three community at large. Ave location are marigolds. During sisters” concept of farming as a our visit, we saw two high tunnels Jones Ave. that were dedicated to growing Sarah Dixon marigolds. According to Ms. Dixon, (Sr. Partner & Coordinator) Farmers Market the marigolds are a popular flower The 178 Jones Ave Farmers Market used during Dia De Los Muertos. The is a public community garden marigolds will be made available established on the unoccupied for purchase by the bundle during lawn that surrounds several Rutgers the holiday. The proceeds of the utility buildings. The front of the marigold sales will be used in turn to property features a main garden support the gardening activities of area, children’s garden, one the farmers market. high and low tunnel, and a large The Food Corps primary goal to exterior roof so that volunteers can bring healthy food into schools set up the stand in the comfort of and educate students on where shade. The back of the property their food comes from seems to has two greenhouses, an apiary, extend from public schools to vermicasting bins, and several major universities Such as Rutgers. compost bins made of wooden During the fall semester, the farmers pallets. market stand was relocated to The rear right area of the property Nichol Avenue on Cook Campus has a large wooden high tunnel every Thursday. The decision to (currently used for growing relocate was determined to be the marigolds) and is used as an area most efficient manner to make the for experimenting with exotic plants. farmers market more accessible for Rutgers students whom depend Practicing Bee Conservancy Food Corps System social studies activity. Another Food Corps members encountered concept that they have employed an issue with insects damaging the in the garden is associating certain plants grown in the greenhouses. In activities in the garden with sounds. more recent years, the greenhouses Volunteers fabricated a “sound have become suitable for growing wall” to both entertain and educate seedlings and more temperature children who visit. sensitive flora. Ms. Dixon gave us a tour of the interior of the greenhouse While work on the children’s garden that is used for growing Aloe Vera has slowed down, the farmers (which doubles as the classroom market is still hopeful that they can for volunteers). The back of the finish what they have planned for greenhouse will be used as a winter the garden. Despite the delay on gardening site, where volunteers completing the children’s garden, will be assigned their own section of local Girl Scout troops have made the greenhouse tables. their own contribution by working in the children’s gaarden. However, The apiary and vermicasting both the children’s garden and the bins can be found behind the rest of the 178 Jones Ave property greenhouses at the very back of remains open for all who wish to the property line. The addition of volunteer their time. 6 Langstroth beehives offers the unique addition of honey and The greenhouses found along beeswax as a product offered by the back of the property was the community garden. Not only has originally the property of the that, but the fact that honeybees Rutgers Entomology program. are natural pollinators allowed for a When the 178 Jones Ave location healthy increase in cross-pollination was acquired, the volunteers and amongst the various crops. Marigold Hoophouse

Childrens Garden Hopefully this will mean stronger yields each year. Beekeeping equipment is stored in the greenhouses for use by volunteers who have experience working with beehives. Vermicasting bins are a new addition to the property. The benefits of vermicasting is that the practice is a method of composting involving the collection of worm castings. These castings are known as a highly concentrated nutrient that can be collected and introduced to the soil at a later time.

While the farmers market is supported by multiple organizations, All of the planteing beds, plants and site furnishing are made by faculty, students, the biggest challenge the farmers All of the planting beds, plants, and New Brunswick siteand fur ncharityishing are school-made by market faces is its dependence faculty, students, and charity. Charter School on a volunteer labor force. Greater Brunswick one for flowers, and one butterfly Ideally, the Food Corps would garden. The entire foundation of like to arrange for large groups of Charter School the school was surrounded with community volunteers to work the During our time at the Greater freshly mulched perennials and property on a regular schedule. Brunswick Charter School, we met annuals, all planted and designed However, volunteer workers have with Rena Jones who oversees the by the kids. other priorities in their personal children and garden activities. FoodCorps works alongside of the lives that does take time away The after school program, called breakfast and lunch program to from volunteering on the property. “Ready, Set, Grow” consists of the teach kids about healthy eating, Another issue that the farmers children who choose to participate gardening and cooking. The kids market currently faces this year learning about plants, interacting by learn early on by using hands on is a lack of staggered planting planting, and gaining knowledge with the service member, and are management. While most of the about nutrition. We watched the now have much healthier lunches. food was donated to the food bank children play with seeds that float They encourage schools like GBCS and food pantries, the Food Corps in the air, make crowns out of to have gardens, but also to interact members and volunteers were berry bushes, and excitedly answer notably lacking the capability to Rena’s questions about the biology Rina explains to the children how Beau- process the large harvest of crops. of plants. ty Berry seeds are planted This also poses an early end of the This school is an independent season for the farmers market. public school for K-8 students However, this issue can be easily around New Brunswick, Edison, and remedied by introducing staggered Highland Park many of whom live planting at the beginning of the in apartments. One thing that we season next year. According to Ms. took away from out visit, was that Dixon, Food Corps members who the reason these children loved this work on the property will be utilizing after school program so much was that plan of action next year. because they had no backyard of their own, and no experience playing in dirt and planting. This program runs on a zero dollar budget, and solely depends on volunteers such as master gardeners and FoodCorps service members. This team works together in various ways, teaching the children about healthy living with cooking classes, the vegetable garden, and hands on learning. Behind the Charter School, near the playground were three gardens. One designated for vegetables,

New Brunswick Charter School Young student pay close attention while Master Gardener Rina show them how Milkweed pollinates by the currents of wind...

New Brunswick Chwitha rserviceter members,Scho learningol and volunteer. References: changing for the better. www.nbcfarmersmarket.com ● About Us. New Brunswick In conclusion, the New Brunswick Community Farmers Market. Community Farmers Market and Extracted 15, October 2014 Greater New Brunswick Charter from the nbc farmers market School offers a safe and educational website. experience that keeps giving back http://www.nbcfarmersmarket. to the community at large. com/about.asp Should you be interested in volunteering your time, you may contact the New Brunswick Community Farmers Market at their website to arrange for a time to

Sophia enjoys the dispersal of Milkweed seedlings...little does she know she’s planting them

New Brunswick Charter School Young Sophia enjoys the disperal of Milkweed seeds... New Brunswick she never knew that plant- ing seeds would be this Charter School fun! Conclusion

Our experience as a class this past semester has been overall both enlightening and overwhelming. Despite our backgrounds from all different majors and walks of life, each member of our class has walked away with a lot more knowledge and experience. We have found that the issue of unhealthy living is a much more complex situation than we all previously thought. We have learned a great deal about why these problems exist, and what is currently being done to solve them. Our preconceived notions about urban issues, such as childhood obesity were changed after we went out and saw for ourselves what is truly happening. Organizations like FoodCorps are actively transforming problems by targeting food desserts, school lunches, and the limited choices available, by implementing the simple concept of gardening to urban schools. We have been exposed to a lot of exciting changes that are being made in schools and cities around NJ that are seeking to improve the health and wellness of children, families and communities. At times, seeing these organizations attempt to tackle the problems in urban environments that include so many factors was discouraging, but their hard work is an important sign of hope. In the words of Michelle Obama, “The physical and emotional health of an entire generation and the economic health and security of our nation is at stake. This isn’t the kind of problem that can be solved overnight, but with everyone working together, it can be solved. So, let’s move.”

All of the planting beds, plants, and New Brunswick site furnishing are school-made by faculty, students, and charity. Charter School