Today we’d like to introduce you to Rodette Jones.
Hi Rodette , we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was farm manager at Filbert Street and Baltimore City DPW wanted to take the adopt-lot the garden was on to make it a water filtration station. This garden is in a food desert which provides fresh vegetables for the community as well as community green space that enhances mental health and nutritional add value to diets. I organized a protest against city government and won the right for the community to keep the land, obtain a non profit status and with the help of my councilman Ed Resinger the city deeded the land over to Filbert Street Garden.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The city government was use to giving adopt a lot to communities to steward then at their convenience take the land back after the community poured their sweat and equity into it at the inconvenience of the community. The city was not accustomed to the community reaction to fight against the government policies.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I worked with police department and health department WIC program. I retired and became a community engagement coordinator working with United workers organizing civil issues that affect housing, labor unions laws, unemployment., GBA working with communities providing resources and Filbert Street Garden providing agricultural services to the elementary school students and Curtis Bay Recreation Center as well as teaching them culinarily classes from Filbert Street Garden produce.
How do you think about luck?
Good luck the community support the farm. The bad luck was the hurdles having farm animals goats chickens finding a insurance company that would cover liabilities
Pricing:
- Irrigation system $10,000
Contact Info:
- Website: https://filbertstreetgarden.org/
- Facebook: Filbert Street Garden
