Spring 2024 Layout by First Lastname Cimpos ne id moluptis quis aut qui ra doluptur?
J
Highland Youth Garden Words by Taylor Dorrell Photography by Taylor Dorrell Layout by First Lastname
“
I
t only took my son maybe a day or two of going for the kids who live in the neighborhood. What to their youth program, and he was in love with was once an empty lot when Murphy started gardening," longtime Hilltop resident Kayla Davis has transformed into a multi-plot facility with a told me. Before attending Highland Youth Garden's building, greenhouse, and various crops that only Summer program, her seven-year-old, Kaiden, a connoisseur of gardens could appreciate fully. By had little desire or interest in what many children the time Murphy passed away in 2020, the Highland consider one of the most unappetizing pieces of the Youth Garden was a staple in the community. five main food groups: fruits and vegetables. But “ So, it's actually pretty after collectively producing these foods in the garden, the greens transcended their negative appropriate to have the Highland reputation and became a means of enriching and Youth Garden where it is because expanding the existence of all those involved. The much of that land in that area was organization installed a garden bed in the Davis' backyard, where Kaiden now grows his own food. private farmland.” "That excitement is wonderful for any youth, especially when they feel like they've grown it as a But now, the neighborhood is a food desert, lacking team, and they're able to bear witness to it growing any grocery stores within a mile radius. "We actually from a seed to now something that's able to be prefer the term food apartheid," Shelly Casto, the picked," Kayla told me. executive director of Highland Youth Garden, told me. "Because that makes clear that it's not a natural After two Hilltop recreation centers closed their circumstance; it is actually a societal choice." doors in 2009, founder Peggy Murphy banded with local educators and community members to While primarily focused on youth education, the grow food and teach children about gardening on a garden also produces more than 4,000 pounds nearby vacant plot of land. "We started with a dollar of food annually. While that doesn't put a dent in and a prayer," Murphy said of those early days. the food access shortage, it's at least an attempt Over the next decade, the garden expanded, adding to spur the necessary changes, Casto says. "We structures, inviting members to the team, and are encouraging people to take matters into partnering with nearby schools and youth centers their own hands by helping them build backyard to provide an empowering educational experience gardens, learning how to grow their own food,
Get involved in a variety of ways. From educational programming, gardening, creating art, behind-the-scenes planning & support, or simply sending a donation – there is a way for you to contribute. highlandyouthgarden.org/ get-involved