Welcome Home!
by Madera E. Rogers-Henry
Introducing the Collaboration Between The Recycle Challenge and Welcome Home Farm & Garden At The Recycle Challenge, our mission extends beyond recycling — it’s about fostering sustainability and empowering communities. As part of this vision, we are proud to announce our partnership with Welcome Home Farm & Garden in the Lower 9th Ward.
It's about grounding ourselves with the land under our feet! The Lower 9th Ward allows us to unite our actions to our dreams!
Together, we’re addressing critical issues like food deserts, environmental stewardship, and community well-being.
The Lower 9th Ward is no stranger to challenges, with food deserts being one of the most pressing concerns. Access to fresh, healthy, and affordable food is limited, leaving many residents reliant on processed or fast food options. Our collaboration with Welcome Home Farm & Garden seeks to directly confront this issue by cultivating a space that provides fresh produce and empowers the neighborhood to reclaim control over its food sources.
Monthly Garden Meetings: A Platform for Change
We’ve initiated monthly garden meetings to bring neighbors and community organizations together to address these and other local needs. These gatherings are a platform to share ideas, create solutions, and organize efforts around food justice and environmental health.
SIGN UP TO Action Through Committees
Our collaboration includes forming committees to channel the community’s expertise and passion into actionable plans. These committees are tailored to tackle different aspects of the farm and the broader fight against food insecurity:
Leveraging innovative tools to enhance farming practices and communication. For example, mapping areas most affected by food deserts and creating digital platforms to connect residents with fresh produce.
Generating awareness about the availability of fresh food and educational events at Welcome Home Farm & Garden, using social media campaigns and local outreach to inspire participation.
Exploring strategies to secure long-term ownership of the farm, ensuring it remains a community resource to combat food deserts and provide fresh, affordable produce.
4. Land Development/Food Sovereignty (Name subject to reconsideration)
Developing the farm’s capacity to grow healthy food and distribute it directly to the community. This includes workshops on home gardening and seasonal food markets that make fresh produce accessible to all.
Educating residents on sustainable living practices, from composting to water conservation, to create a lasting impact on both the environment and food accessibility.
Creating green spaces that are both functional and healing, such as water gardens for sustainable irrigation and sacred gardens that promote mental and physical well-being.
Focus on Fighting Food Deserts: A Central Mission
At the heart of this partnership is the commitment to address food deserts in the Lower 9th Ward. Welcome Home Farm & Garden serves as a beacon of hope, providing fresh, nutrient-rich food while fostering a sense of community ownership. By empowering residents with tools, knowledge, and resources, we aim to restore food sovereignty and eliminate reliance on outside sources for basic nutritional needs.
Get Involved
We invite you to join us in this transformative work. Whether you’re passionate about food sovereignty, interested in sustainable gardening, or eager to help promote fresh food access, there’s a place for you in this movement. Sign up for one of our committees and make a difference.
Together, The Recycle Challenge and Welcome Home Farm & Garden are working to create a future where no one in the Lower 9th Ward faces food insecurity. Let’s build a healthier, more sustainable community — one seed at a time.
Stay tuned for updates, and we look forward to seeing you at our next garden meeting!
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