Jannatain Community Garden
Jannatain Community Garden was formed by Aneesah Uqdah and Alia Walker in August 2008. They soon recruited four other semi-retired women who loved gardening to help develop the idea. The woman came together to rehabilitate a neglected vacant lot owned by one of its members. We worked with the Jawala Scout program (A Boy Scout Troop) directed by Brother Bilal, to clear the lot in preparation for its first planting season. By the growing season of 2009, the group was able to develop an organic community garden and grow crops to share with family, friends, neighbors, the homeless, and senior citizens. They received their official training under the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society's Garden Tenders and Tree Tenders programs, and Will Allen's "Growing Power" Program. Some members have served as judges for the City Garden contest for up to 6 years. In addition, two members sit on the advisory board of Philly Green. Jannatain community garden was used as an instructional site to teach the Garden Tenders class how to build raised beds, plant an herb garden, vegetable garden, and design a hard scaping layout for flowerbeds. In 2010 the Jannatain Community Garden won 1st place award in the large combination community garden category in the Pennsylvania Horticulture Society's Citywide Garden Contest.
The present program implemented by the group include;
· Donating some of their harvest to Senior Citizen Homes for the elderly in the area.
· Feeding the homeless
· Teaching neighbors about organic gardening, nutrition, and encouraging them to grow their own food.
The neighborhood Jannatain is located in and serve is 98% Low income, underserved, African-Americans. Some homeless residents live in vacant buildings in the area of the garden. Many of the residents are unemployed with poor diets and health problems that come with lack of access and not eating healthy foods. These residents also live in a food desert. Many are senior citizens. The garden is located at 1522 Rowan St., in the Nice Town/ North Philadelphia section of the city.
Proposed Program for 2011-12
The Jannatain Shares Program will provide organic gardening workshops to residents of the above listed zip codes. The workshops will be conducted at the Nicetown NAC office, and at selected senior citizens homes. These workshops will include lessons in growing, cooking and eating organic fruits and vegetables, organic gardening, container gardening, and building a community garden. It has been shown that peoples eating habits can be changed by the introduction of hands on instruction in growing and creative preparation of fresh foods, as well as proper access to these products. Having access to and eating organically grown, fresh fruits and vegetables will have a profound effect on their health and well-being. It will also extend their finances by minimizing their food cost.
The NAC office will be used to conduct academic instruction. Some of the workshops will take place in senior citizen homes, which will be identified. In addition, hands on workshops will take place at the Jannatain Community Garden located at 1522 Rowan Street. Cooking sessions will be instructed at Temple University's Obesity Cooking Lab and the community garden.
Research studies show there is a direct relationship between chronic health conditions and lack of fresh healthy food and outdoor activity. Chronic illnesses are disproportionately affecting minority and low-income communities, creating increased disparities in those who reside in them. In light of our nations shrinking economy, unemployment and health crisis there is an urgent need to go "back to basics" to become producers rather than consumers. Organic Gardening is a way to control your economics and your health while helping to save the planet.
Instructions will include:
If you are interested in participating or donating to this program, please contact us. See information to reach us on contact page.
The present program implemented by the group include;
· Donating some of their harvest to Senior Citizen Homes for the elderly in the area.
· Feeding the homeless
· Teaching neighbors about organic gardening, nutrition, and encouraging them to grow their own food.
The neighborhood Jannatain is located in and serve is 98% Low income, underserved, African-Americans. Some homeless residents live in vacant buildings in the area of the garden. Many of the residents are unemployed with poor diets and health problems that come with lack of access and not eating healthy foods. These residents also live in a food desert. Many are senior citizens. The garden is located at 1522 Rowan St., in the Nice Town/ North Philadelphia section of the city.
Proposed Program for 2011-12
The Jannatain Shares Program will provide organic gardening workshops to residents of the above listed zip codes. The workshops will be conducted at the Nicetown NAC office, and at selected senior citizens homes. These workshops will include lessons in growing, cooking and eating organic fruits and vegetables, organic gardening, container gardening, and building a community garden. It has been shown that peoples eating habits can be changed by the introduction of hands on instruction in growing and creative preparation of fresh foods, as well as proper access to these products. Having access to and eating organically grown, fresh fruits and vegetables will have a profound effect on their health and well-being. It will also extend their finances by minimizing their food cost.
The NAC office will be used to conduct academic instruction. Some of the workshops will take place in senior citizen homes, which will be identified. In addition, hands on workshops will take place at the Jannatain Community Garden located at 1522 Rowan Street. Cooking sessions will be instructed at Temple University's Obesity Cooking Lab and the community garden.
Research studies show there is a direct relationship between chronic health conditions and lack of fresh healthy food and outdoor activity. Chronic illnesses are disproportionately affecting minority and low-income communities, creating increased disparities in those who reside in them. In light of our nations shrinking economy, unemployment and health crisis there is an urgent need to go "back to basics" to become producers rather than consumers. Organic Gardening is a way to control your economics and your health while helping to save the planet.
Instructions will include:
- Basic Organizing a Community Garden
- Resources in and out of Your Neighborhood
- How to Obtain Permission to Garden a Vacant Lot
- The Design Process
- Plants & Soil
- The Nutritional Benefits of Organic Crops on Your Body
- Freezing & Canning
If you are interested in participating or donating to this program, please contact us. See information to reach us on contact page.
