#lifedogrow

[jayystewwie-blog]

Urban Farming in Philadelphia

LIFE DO GROW is an urban farm, art gallery and creative hub founded by a small group hoping to bring about social change and justice – Urban Creators. The Urban Creators mission statement is to use food, art, celebration, and political education as tools to nurture resilience, self-determination, equity, and youth empowerment in frontline communities.

In 2010, Urban Creators set out to transform a 2-acre garbage dump in North Philadelphia into a farm as an attempt to bridge the gap between the isolated communities in the areas surrounding. Inspired to bring affordable fresh food to the community – along with art and cultural events – Urban Creators went door to door gauging interest and ideas shared by the community. After the debris were cleared and seeds were planted LIFE DO GROW was officially up and running at 2315 N. 11th Street.

“If you’re not eating you can’t think. And if you can’t think than you make rash decisions, and if you’re making rash decisions it’s really difficult to get out of poverty.” said Charlyn Griffith, member of Soil Generation and founder of Wholistic Arts.

LIFE DO GROW accepts SNAP/EBT and Food Bucks in order to make fresh produce more available.

Along with providing fresh produce the farm gives a heavy focus to Art and Culture. As Jeaninne Kayembe – Co-CEO and Co-Founder of Urban Creator – stated in the video, the farm has hosted hundreds of events. Every Second Saturday of the month they have an open house volunteer day and every First Friday of the month LIFE DO GROW hosts its First Friday Art Gallery.

“Being an artist and seeing how things grow and being on a farm, it has given me a larger perspective on what growth is, what creativity is and what can happen on spaces as large as a farm” said Jeaninne.

In 2014 LIFE DO GROW began, what is described as a celebration of life, living and innovation in North Philadelphia, HOODSTOCK. Over the years HOODSTOCK has welcomed hundreds of people to share in art, culture and innovation. Vendors, local visual artists and Philly based artists are invited to the festival each year.

For more information about LIFE DO GROW, Urban Creators, HOODSTOCK and other events visit http://www.phillyurbancreators.org

-Text, images and video by Melissa Simpson and John Stewart

[keemhasthedream]

Today was a lot of things. Somber, hard, beautiful, and full of light and love. After a beautiful vigil and healing space for the many Black women who are now our ancestors, my friends, spiritual family, and kindred spirits got to put our hands in the ground and harvest some produce right in the heart of North Philly. There was something so healing and righteous about picking the food I'll be eating this week. It was an act of resistance, and act of love, a means to honor my ancestors. I though of my grandfather, as he was a gardener who grew fruits and vegetables in the back yard. What a beautiful way to end the day. Y'all see those beautiful collards in my hand? #lifedogrow #lifedogrowfarm #Blackwomenmatter (at Life Do Grow Farm)

[greeningphiladelphia-blog]

Davis: The day of Mount Moriah I tried to be as green as I could and used my bike for transit.  I’ve taken bike rides this long, but going through PA, not to mention west Philly, is a little different then biking up and down the flat boardwalk in jersey.  Biking through the city is totally worth it though. It’s an experience with so many variables it’s hard to keep track of each amazing and terrible thing that happens to me on my bike rides.  Even though it was long and seemed uphill in both directions, Erinn and I took a few detours to enjoy the day.  We found paths that bikers enjoy in the nicer parts of town, and places where it seemed like bikers could easily die if they didn’t know what they were doing. Of course it all related to the socio-economic status of the surrounding neighborhood, but we know that already. We ended our ride at Life Do Grow, and although their work day was over, we enjoyed the space and took in the little blip of nature in north Philly.  

[coryjpopp]

So thankful for the tremendous response to my new video #phillyinbloom! I shot all over Philly to get the footage, including these scenes from @urbancreators #lifedogrow farm in North Philly. If you haven't seen it, check it the link in my profile. (at Life Do Grow Farm)