Dylan Terry, founder of Ready-to-Grow Gardens is a New College of Florida Alumnus. He’s always been interested in nature and food, but his passion really took root when he attended college and revitalized the NCF campus garden.
Working with faculty and managing student peers, Dylan brought the once dilapidated garden back to life. After graduation he interned at the Knight foundation, where he was exposed to the evolving food movement happening in Miami. From then he was hooked. A couple years later after working as a graphic designer he had a revelation - he didn’t want to spend the majority of his day inside looking at computer screens. His life had many turns in the arts and design, but aligned the best in horticulture.
Ready-to-Grow was founded on Dylan’s vision to integrate love of plants with love of people and cities.
OCT: What is an opportunity we have in Miami?
Dylan Terry: I think there are a lot of things that Miami has going for it. There’s a lot of problems, but there are a lot of good things. It’s an incredibly rich culture, the weather is very unique and enjoyable for most of the year, and it’s always going to be home for me, since I’ve lived here all my life.
I think Miami can evolve in a lot of cool ways and I think there is a growing consciousness towards new ideas and new ways of living.
People are putting their minds to it and making positive things happen.
Our City Thoughts: What are your most important goals for the next year?
DT: One of the main missions we have is to figure out how to be very functional and productive while also creating really beautiful landscapes. We have done it with community gardens setting up individual plots, and on the sides of office’s between the sidewalk and even on the walls of buildings. It’s all edible landscaping.
We also want to focus on creating more projects in public spaces and gardens for the community - making people more aware while sharing information on what’s the best way to get the culture moving. We’re always trying to be better at what we do and be better gardeners, as well as helping people.
OCT: What community issues keep you up at night?
DT: People not having access to healthy food keeps me up. Either they can’t afford it, or they don’t know how to grow it, or have no one helping them to do so.
I think urban agriculture is a huge part of the solution. I want it to be easier for people to use vacant lots to grow food if they’re not being used for anything.
By having a system where it’s easy for people to come and say “hey, nobody is using this land. Can I use it for a while and I’ll pay the water bill?” It’s a dream I have in terms of it being easier for people to get healthy food.
OCT: Describe your ideal city?
DT: The big thing I focus on is the integration of nature and landscape. I want more park spaces, more community gardens and more natural areas. Spaces that bring people outside, besides the beach. I think that the way cities are traditionally constructed isolate us from our history of being hunter gatherers or even farmers.
Having parks where we’re able to go and gather food would connect us to where we came from. There are ways to do it, it’s not easy but possible.
Dylan is also a columnist for Edible South Florida giving advice on gardening and growing. Check out Ready-to-Grow Gardens to learn more about the way to create your green space, learn more about edible gardens, and healthy living.
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