Profiles – United Community Centers

Pauline Plants

Pauline Plants from Leave It Better on Vimeo. Pauline Reid is a committed urban farmer and East New York Farms! member. Pauline uses land at Hands and Heart Garden, UCC Youth Farm, Triple R Garden, New Visions Garden, and her backyard to grow loads of fresh produce for our farmers market. Check out her home…

Jeanette Ware

Urban Farmer Profile: Mrs. Jeanette Ware By Sharnay Procope, East New York Farms! Youth Intern Here in East New York, Brooklyn, you may be surprised, but there are many kinds of places to farm; such as backyards, community gardens, and urban farms. I was lucky enough to interview one of our many farmers, Mrs. Jeanette…

Sakinah Abdul

By Sarita Daftary, Project Director I met Sakinah Abdul back in March 2006 when she was in seventh grade, and starting as a first year intern in our youth program. I remember thinking that she was quiet, serious, and attentive. I didn’t know then that I would get to know Sakinah so well. She stayed…

Annie Wyche

By Angela Previdelli, Masters Candidate 2013, Cornell University Department of City and Regional Planning Annie Wyche grew up in rural Alabama. She has lived in New York for 43 years and currently resides in Brooklyn with her family. Annie honed her gardening skills on her family’s farm by being the 7th child to be born…

William Thom & Sarita Daftary

Mr. William Thom, who lived in the apartment building between United Community Centers and the UCC Youth Farm, is interviewed by Sarita Daftary, a member of the East New York Farms! staff. Mr. Thom speaks about growing up in Guyana, being a merchant marine, and living next to our youth-run farm. Produced by Sarita Daftary…

Kele Nkhereanye & Faith Titilawo

Kele Nkhereanye is interviewed by Faith Titilawo, an intern with East New York Farms! Kele talks about growing up in Lesotho (Southern Africa) and being an activist. Produced by Sarita Daftary with interviews recorded by StoryCorps, a national nonprofit whose mission is to provide Americans of all backgrounds and beliefs with the opportunity to record,…

Gemma Garcia & Celeste Leandry

Ms. Gemma Garcia – coordinator of St. John Cantius Garden, beekeeper, and community educator with East New York Farms! – is interviewed by Celeste, an intern with East New York Farms! Gemma talks about moving to East New York and getting involved in her community. Produced by Sarita Daftary with interviews recorded by StoryCorps, a…

Lillian Vailes & Daryl Marshall

Ms. Lillian Vailes, coordinator of Crystal Street Block Association Garden, is interviewed by Daryl Marshall, a member of the East New York Farms! staff. Ms Vailes speaks about growing up on a sharecropping farm in South Carolina, moving to New York, and the work she’s done in the community. Produced by Sarita Daftary with interviews…

Eliza Butler & Jaritza Caba

Ms. Eliza Butler, coordinator of New Visions Garden, is interviewed by Jaritza Caba, an intern with East New York Farms! They talk about growing up in North Carolina and the Dominican Republic, people who influenced them, gardening, bridging the gaps between generations, and hopes for the future. Produced by Sarita Daftary with interviews recorded by…

Ana Rosado & Deborah Greig

Ms. Ana Rosado, a community gardener at Nehemiah 10 Garden and backyard gardener, is interviewed by staff member Deborah Greig. They talk about East New York in the 1990s, starting the garden, and growing everything from culantro to pineapples! Produced by Sarita Daftary with interviews recorded by StoryCorps, a national nonprofit whose mission is to…

Navindra Boodhu & Sarita Daftary

Navindra Boodhu, a third year intern at East NY Farms!, is interviewed by staff member Sarita Daftary. They talk about immigrating to New York from Guyana, joining the ENYF Youth Program, and Navindra’s hopes for the future. Produced by Sarita Daftary with interviews recorded by StoryCorps, a national nonprofit whose mission is to provide Americans…

Barbara Adamson & TeAndre Mitchell

Ms. Barbara Adamson, coordinator of Hands & Heart Garden, is interviewed by TeAndre Mitchell, an intern with East New York Farms! They talk about how they got into gardening, and the work they’ve done together. Produced by Sarita Daftary with interviews recorded by StoryCorps, a national nonprofit whose mission is to provide Americans of all…

Gardener Profiles