I went as one of the volunteer crew for Los Angeles Green Grounds, of Ron Finley fame. In case you haven't seen Ron Finley's very inspiring Tedtalk, check it out-
I got to the high school not having any idea what to expect. What I did not expect is so much space committed to this endeavor- it is a huge area! There were over 80 volunteers there that day, sweating our asses off trying to uproot the bermuda grass and till the soil to make it ready for compost and amendment. If you've never wrestled with bermuda grass roots, its nothing to sneeze at, and it will humble you like nothing else. Its tenacity is impressive, and you have to be equal to the task!
 |
| Shake the Hive at Crenshaw High School Garden Project |
Here is an excerpt from an LA Times article on the new crop of school farms-
"Carlos Lopez, a graduate of the garden program at Crenshaw High School, thinks a garden's value extends beyond promoting good health. "This is a way of giving kids a sense of ownership, a place to stay off the street. It saved me, and it saved a whole bunch of us. It can become so much bigger than just a garden."
Lopez was part of the team that created Food From the Hood, a student-run business that sprouted from selling Crenshaw High's produce at local farmers markets and eventually expanded to create a national brand of salad dressing that was distributed at more than 2,000 locations. But since the students from Food From the Hood graduated, the garden has become overgrown and left unattended."
 |
| Crenshaw High School Urban Farming Project grounds |
And from another article- In the 1990s, Crenshaw Community Garden was such a phenomenon that it spawned a company called Food from the 'Hood, garnered a write-up in The New York Times, and was paid a visit by England's Prince Charles.
For nearly a decade, however, the 2.5-acre garden — which sits on the campus of Crenshaw High in Southwest Los Angeles — hasn't thrived as it once did.
"We're trying to get it revitalized," said Bill Vanderberg, Crenshaw High Dean of Students and faculty adviser to the school's Eco Club. "We haven't used it for the past couple of years. We plan to change that."
 |
| Crenshaw High School Urban Farm |
It seems that they are now in the process of weeding the gardens and getting them back up and running again. I heard mention of selling the food at farmer's markets like they did before, which for me was very impactful, since that is what I want to do with my non-profit Shake the Hive- teach kids to grow the food, and sell it to help keep it going, and also raise chickens and bees, among other things. I have discovered in my adventures of Shake the Hive that I am truly led to the right place at the right time, and it all unfolds seamlessly.
 |
| Crenshaw High School teens at the August 27 dedication |
Part of the garden was also dedicated to the memory of Trayvon Martin. On August 27 of this year, many students, LAPD officers, teachers, members of the community and local council members came together on the 50th anniversary of MLK Jr's "I have a dream speech"to commemorate Trayvon Martin in this way, and to speak to students about their first amendment rights.
 |
| Crenshaw High School youth honoring Trayvon Martin and exercising their First Amendment rights |
"Eighth District Council member Bernard Parks made a presentation on the Trayvon Martin Resolution passed by the Los Angeles City Council to pressure the federal government to investigate the Martin shooting. Representatives from LAPD’s South Bureau also spoke to students about how to stand up for their First Amendment Rights in a way that won’t end up in arrests.
Domonic Wilks, an alumni of Crenshaw High School, who graduated this past year and participated in the march, said that it’s important to have this memorial on his campus because a lot of Crenshaw students can relate to what happened to Martin. “We feel that this is the civil rights movement as our generation. There hasn’t been something as big as this that has been televised and on the news, and so we want to show that this happens and we don’t want it to happen anymore,” said Wilks. - See more at: http://intersectionssouthla.org/story/crenshaw-high-school-memorial-dedication-for-trayvon-martin/#sthash.9mTOA8BB.dpuf"
 |
| Ashley Dane, founder at Shake the Hive at Crenshaw High School Beautification Project |
There will be another volunteer heavy Dig In at the Crenshaw High School on December 21 at 8am until about 2pm. All are welcome, and please bring any garden tools you may have. Be prepared to get dirty, to have sweat dripping down your face, to get bruised and to have your hands in the dirt, to get stinky, to be caked in dirt and mud, to get blisters, and to be deliriously happy.
And last but not least, here is the newsletter I got in my email today-
** The Crenshaw Garden Beautification Newsletter
------------------------------
Mother Of Many, LAPD and LA Green Grounds joined forces to beautify the Crenshaw High School Garden. With the help of many volunteers the Change What You Eat, Change How You Feel Beautification was a huge success!
80+ Volunteers helped with the effort of digging up grass, weeds and laying down mulch. The pathways that were previously covered with dirt are now visible. Trees have been trimmed.
The compost bins are finally free of contaminated dirt and ready to enhance the nutrients of the soil that will make our vegetables healthier to eat. The plants have all been thoroughly watered and thanks to all the volunteers we are closer to planting more fruits and vegetables for the Spring 2014 Farmers Market.
We'd like to thank officer Paul Evleth, for organizing the awesome LAPD volunteers and Sachiko Speaks for organizing such passionate LA Green Grounds volunteers who not only volunteered their time but donated seeds, worm castings and mulch. Mother Of Many looks forward to the LAPD and LA Green Grounds participating at the next Crenshaw Garden Beautification.Saturday December 21, 2013!
Shake the Hive!
xoxo,
Ashley Dane
No comments:
Post a Comment