As we inch closer to summer, our days fill with germinating new seedlings and tucking our first baby plants into the ground. Mother Earth is hard at work here at the Growing Hope Urban Farm, and we do our best to honor her with care.
Growing Hope celebrates two decades of cultivating land alongside the Ypsilanti Community this month. We cultivate with care and gratitude for the seemingly endless miracles of Mother Earth. Whether at a community garden, neighbor’s home, school, senior high rise, urban farm, or anywhere in between, we are honored to have been such an integral part of our community’s story over the past 20 years. We eagerly await the future sowing, cultivating, and harvesting we’ll participate in together.
We look forward to nurturing Earth and building food sovereignty with you as we look towards our second free seedling distribution of the season on May 13 from 2p-4p.
As we remember this landmark year at Growing Hope, we’ve solicited stories of how Growing Hope, urban gardening, and/or developing a relationship with Mother Earth have inspired community members. Listening to these stories confirms a deep seeded notion that the soul of our work is planted deep inside the hearts and minds of our community.
Food touches every aspect of our lives. Together, we are planting seeds of hope, which fruit and are harvested sometime in the future. This hope develops as we shift our perspective to ensure everyone in our community’s right to food is honored. Our community is investing in a sovereign and just food system.
Growing food together builds a dense foundation of generational health.
As we continue in this season of celebration, I encourage you to share your story with us. Choose whatever medium makes sense for you (photograph, story, poem, art, recorded, etc.). At the end of the year, we’ll share the collection of stories with the community because everyone desires a seed of hope.
Twenty years in, and it’s still the perfect time to get involved with our community! The Ypsilanti Farmers Market is in full swing, and the Growing Hope Urban Farm always welcomes visitors. Celebrate with us on May 21 to enjoy our slice of nature in the midst of a city (and read the featured article or listen on WEMU)!
Thank you for being a part of our story; I’m glad you’re here.
Peace,
Julius
PS Your recurring gift will help our community continue to build on this foundation of generational health for decades to come.