Regional RIC @ East New York Farms Wrap-Up
On October 11, 2014 East New York Farms!/United Community Centers hosted a “Regional Rooted In Community Youth Summit” with participants from 10 projects arriving from 5 states in the Northeast. The day started with a breakfast of Brooklyn bagels, laughs and energizers led by interns from East New York Farms. Youth learned West African, West Indian music, Latin, and hip hop dances representing the diverse cultures of East New York.
With the goal of developing youth leadership and a youth voice in food justice, we spent the morning in workshops facilitated by participating groups. The Urban Nutrition Initiative taught about “Media and Food Choices”, Cultivating Community taught about “Helping Seniors Eat Their Veggies”, the Center for Environmental Transformation taught about “Food Systems and Hunger.”
The afternoon featured Mexican lunch with ingredients sourced from local farms, and youth visited the East New York Farmers market, which was holding its annual Pepper Festival. Musical performances and a hot pepper eating contest provided entertainment while we ate.
For the afternoon, groups headed off to different Brooklyn farms. The tours highlighted the diversity of farm sites in Brooklyn: a community garden and market, a historic site, and a public high school. At each site the hosts portrayed their work, and youth were able to lend a helping hand. After a warm bus ride back to East New York Farms, we gathered to share back what we have learned. Inspired by the Civil Rights movements from the 1960’s that built United Community Centers, we all locked arms and formed the links that we made from the day to build a stronger movement.
Many thanks to all of the participating Youth Groups and Host Sites:
Added Value Brooklyn, New York
The Center for Environmental Transformation Camden, New Jersey
The Youth Farm at the High School for Public Service/bk Farmyards Brooklyn, New York
BronxWorks Bronx, New York
Center for Family Life Brooklyn, New York
Cultivating Community Portland, Maine
Bushwick Campus Farm/Ecostation NY Brooklyn, New York
East New York Farms!/United Community Centers Brooklyn, NY
Summer of Solutions Hartford, Connecticut
Urban Nutrition Initiative Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Host Sites:
