Telling Women's Lives

Farmer Jane – Hannah Lafferrandre

From the beginning, I was most interested in the urban farming section of Farmer Jane. Willow Rosenthal was the most outstanding in this section for me because of her unique idea to purchase empty lots, some as small at .08 acres, and create a farm, complete with beehives, carrot crops, chickens, ducks, compost piles and a wood fire oven. She purchased this empty lot in the middle of Oakland, California, which contains several major food deserts. The inequality of access to healthy food is disturbing in these places. The community that Rosenthal targeted, for example, had one grocery store that was intended to supply food to 23,000 people. Conversely, more affluent areas have grocery stores for every 4,000 people. Additionally, the single grocery store has limited produce, it is usually in poor shape and it is more expensive than the unhealthy, processed food. I know that Winston-Salem struggles with this issue, and I think it could desperately use an urban farm. I like the distinction Rosenthal seeks to make between an urban farm and an urban garden. Primarily, Rosenthal wishes to produce a bulk of sustenance crops that can be sold or simply distributed to low income families. She believes a crop of sweet potatoes is more beneficial than planting flowers or herbs. She wants to combat the lack of access families have to fresh produce, and allow them to reimagine their usual diets. Additionally, Rosenthal has started the Backyard Garden Program which equips people with gardening tools and the assistance they need to grow their own food. Rosenthal discovered that many people have the knowledge and skills to grow food but the equipment is expensive, and it is no longer economically advantageous for the grower if she has to purchase tools, etc. The families in this program are also given a mentor, who helps them get their garden started and sees them through a few seasons. This idea is brilliant because it simply ‘teaches a man to fish,’ and allows him to take pride in what he puts in his body.