There have been a handful of urban farms putting down roots around Palm Beach County, from the new urban farm in Riviera Beach to African drum circles and vegan food options held at a newly acquired farm in Loxahatchee.
It鈥檚 part of a growing consciousness surrounding wealth, health and wellness. But knowing how to sustain an urban farm or community garden is just as important as having one.
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Vonda Richardson is executive director of Florida A&M University's Cooperative Extension Program, an of the land-grant College of Agriculture and Food Sciences at FAMU.
The City of West Palm Beach recently partnered with FAMU to establish three urban gardens in low-income communities that lack access to fresh produce. In an effort to address these food deserts, FAMU 鈥� the historically Black university 鈥� says they鈥檙e bringing sustainable farming techniques to residents in West Palm Beach. The project aims to teach community gardening 鈥� the collective skills needed to sustain the accessibility of fresh fruits and vegetables.
鈥淲e were mandated to improve the economic conditions of those communities and those persons that were underserved. Minority communities. Historically, that's our mission,鈥� said Richardson. 鈥淲e're not exclusive. We do make that particular emphasis on those underserved and minority communities.鈥�
The program, through its research and technical assistance, has built urban gardens, family and youth development programs with cities and community-based organizations across the state. And their 4-H Youth Development program is known for its Agri-STEM approach, hands-on workshops that expose the youth to the science and business of agriculture.
This is its first agriculture and nutritional training program in South Florida.
FAMU鈥檚 three community gardens will be located at Coleman Park Community Center, the Gloria Y. Williams Multicultural Center in Pleasant City, and Phipps Park on South Dixie Highway.
鈥淜ids tend to try more fruits and vegetables when they engage hands-on with growing their own food,鈥� said Richardson.
Richardson said FAMU plans on hiring an extension agent, which will be a faculty position, and a paraprofessional for nutrition education in West Palm Beach.
The news came shortly after the city鈥檚 controversial closing of Henrietta Bridge Farm in the middle of growing season. Stewart Bosley, the founder of the farm and executive director of the non-profit Urban Growers, said the decision could worsen the food desert situation in the city鈥檚 Historic Northwest neighborhood.
West Palm Beach officials decided not to renew the farm's lease on the city-owned land. Mayor Keith James said during a commission meeting, that he wants to use the 1.5 acre farm space as transitional housing for people experiencing homelessness.
FAMU鈥檚 community garden initiative is part of a memorandum of understanding with the city. Richardson says an advisory committee will oversee FAMU鈥檚 community gardens and she says the gardens and training programs could start as soon as April or as late as June.
鈥淭ypically, the way that we've done community gardens across the state, we get that buy-in from the community and usually there are few people who are willing to volunteer and help out,鈥� said Richardson.
"It's all a community effort.鈥�
