By Tania Hernandez-Martinez and Chris Gavin

As we shift into fall and towards the end of the growing season, Poughkeepsie Farm Project is proud to reflect on our involvement in the first year of the Pershing Avenue Neighborhood Farm. This project is a community-driven urban agricultural initiative that aims to increase food access and food security for City of Poughkeepsie residents. The vision for this site is to be a community-lead food resource and skill-building hub for children and families that lack easy access to fresh fruits and vegetables and are in great need of quality programs for youth outside of school. The initiative is led by Scenic Hudson and has many community-based partners including Poughkeepsie Farm Project. Through our work at this site, PFP educators provide hands-on growing and cooking workshops as well as support for community gardeners new to growing their own food. In our efforts to connect with more stakeholders in the community, we have met new people and built stronger relationships with familiar faces. This month, we want to highlight new and returning members of our ever-growing community at the Pershing Avenue community gardens.

Heather Lee-Pitcher is a community member who has been a part of Poughkeepsie Farm Project through our Poughkeepsie Food Power @ Home remote learning initiative, volunteering in the meditation garden, and attending Community Harvest events. Heather was eager to continue practicing what she learned through our programs and is now a gardener at Pershing.

Scott Emslie is a member of the Poughkeepsie community that has recently joined us. When he heard that there would be garden beds available for Poughkeepsie residents to use, he jumped at the idea of having others to bounce ideas off of.

Why did you decide to get involved with the Pershing Avenue Community garden?

Scott: I read about it and thought, I would like to get out in the community garden and meet some people. And also get some ideas for next season.

Heather: I think just being able to be with creation and enjoying it in small moments… the need for mindfulness. We are giving back to the community by investing [in this site]... the fact that there have been shootings means there has to be more of an initiative to get people here. I started gardening with PFP’s Food Power @ Home by planting microgreens and wanted to continue growing.

What was your relationship with gardening before this; is it something you or your family had been doing for a long time?

Scott: When I was growing up we had a fair sized garden, grew lots of food, but stopped gardening as the kids grew up. My mom, she came from a long line of farmers. When I heard about this I thought, ok, this is great.

Heather: My grandfather is originally from the South..turned 100 years old. As a child I would grow with my grandfather and cook fresh food. I remember as a kid he helped me turn my sandbox into a garden. Most times the memories [of gardening] are positive.

What’s been the best thing about being involved this growing season? What has been the worst?

Scott: I think [the best thing] is being involved for this first season, and getting to know the people. The worst is being unsure of the amount of rain.

Heather: The best thing is being able to do it, just having the opportunity to do something like this. It makes me appreciate the importance of eating the fruit of our labor. The worst thing would be the difficulty in the last months of being able to come because of safety.

Do you see yourself making an impact while gardening?

Scott: I think it does… it gets people more outdoors and teaches people where food comes from… And when you get too much and you got people here you can share [the food] with.

Heather: I do, definitely. My gardening has encouraged others. Lala Alvarado [PFP educator] encouraged me, and I encouraged others… It's a domino effect. It has encouraged healthy eating in my household, a lot of good cooking can come from the use of fresh herbs.

How has your life/community been positively impacted by this project?

Scott: I think it’s good for the community. I’d forgotten this park was here.. this gives a little bit more sense of community. Hopefully it will start to lessen the violence, you can start getting kids in and teaching them how to grow things.

Heather: I’m looking forward to it being further impacted…the people are looking forward to using the garden. It starts conversations of “how can I be involved?” It becomes one of those things that you talk about, and everyone likes to eat!

Would you encourage others/younger people to start gardens of their own?

Scott: Oh yeah, definitely. Gardening let’s you know where your food comes from, it gets people together.

Heather: Absolutely, I think it’s important for everyone. You begin to have a new appreciation for growing. And if you are spending time outside…it’s beneficial for your health. You are taking care of yourself, taking care of your health, and taking care of others, so why not?

What are you looking forward to next season?

Scott: Spreading out my garden, learning from other gardeners and saying, oh why didn’t I think of that?? There are a couple new things that I definitely want to try.
Heather: I look forward to what’s next, I love to see what’s new!