Monthly Archives: July 2008

A light rain fell, bees buzzed between our newly blooming sunflowers, and one of New Jersey’s most influential women shared stories about her grandfather’s farm in Georgia and her late husband’s legendary garden here in Newark. Always committed to the issues of hunger, Ms. Crump spoke with us about how churches and governments, local and national, have helped and at times hurt the cause of food security over the years. She enthusiastically welcomed us to the community, describing our work as, “fabulous!” Stay tuned for Ms. Crump’s favorite eggplant recipe.

While working a little later than usual a few kids from our neighborhood stopped by the fence asking if they could have a few of the squash and zucchini. Of course they could, as long as they came in the gate and took a look around at the rest of the garden too. All of a sudden, a whole band of children came bounding in, including our friend Kameron, back from camp. As they surveyed the garden they wanted to taste everything they could (well except for the hot peppers). One girl in particular, Briyante, in the pink shirt and a chef in the making, was determined to try all of the different types of lettuce, exclaiming that each one was better than the last.

It seems like just yesterday that we were shoveling dirt and sowing the first seeds. Plants sure do grow up quick, and over the last few days we’ve been doing our best to keep up with the zucchini, yellow squash, peppers (both hot and sweet), and basil that are dying to be eaten. Just today, we harvested our very first cucumber, which is on it’s way to a much needed salad on a scorching July afternoon. Our neighbor Francisco also stopped by to help us harvest some of the vegetables, and take some home too.

Also, Ken Walker from The Daily Newarker, and his cute as can be daughter Dahlia came by to check out the farm and take a few photos. The Daily Newarker is a wonderful blog that is doing its best to inform the public of many of the positive things going on in Newark. We want to thank Ken for thinking enough of us to include BCUF in his weblog.

One of the most immediately rewarding aspects of the farm, besides seeing the crops grow, is the enthusiasm that the project has infused in our neighbors. Corn growing on Spruce Street has attracted curiosity. People stop by to check out what’s going on. And in the spirit of neighborliness, (or neighborly competition) the guys next door have their backyard sparkling.

Perhaps inspired by our lot’s aesthetic overhaul, the guys at Cura gave their backyard a face-lift. A few days after we started planting, they whacked weeds and mowed their grass. They ask questions and offer advice. One guy was skeptical at first. “I didn’t expect anything to grow at all; what’s in that water you guys use?”

It’s just Newark’s finest.