Tamika Esho and Carolyn Huston do not know each other formally although the two share a common interest at the same location. The pair is part of a growing number of people living in the city who want to experience the enjoyment of growing their own food products in an urban community setting.
In May, Tamika learned of the small plots of land that could be rented to would-be farmers for $20, or an amount according to a individual’s ability to pay.
The whole idea is the brainstorm of the Racine Urban Garden Network. The network seeks to promote a strong gardening effort in the Racine area, and to create a network of resources and education to improve sustainable gardening and farming.
In May, Esho bought her small plot and began to prepare it for food growth. “Everything is grown six inches above ground,” she explained. Large mounds of topsoil are available to each farmer where you enter the gardens located at 734 Marquette Street. There are about 25 individual plots divided by straw.
Esho says that the network have given her an opportunity to do what she has always wanted, but because of where she lived was never able to own a garden. “I lived in an apartment and did not have a garden in the backyard, nor did I have the space for growing anything and I have always wanted to grow something.”
In the hot blazing sun she beamed joyfully at the items that she had grown from seeds.
She and her mother continually walked to a large container of water with buckets to water her small plot of land where she had already grown zucchini, cherry tomatoes, yellow squash, pepper plants, and basil.
Already she has attained the rewards of her garden. “It feels great to have something grow that I planted in the ground. I did the work and now I can take it home and eat it,” she said.
Born in Mississippi, Carolyn Huston remembers working in the garden with her parents and began her plot recently with the little experience she gained as a child.
She said she learned of the Network while attending the 6th Street Neighborhood Watch meeting.
Huston says much of her joy comes from sharing her food with others. “
She has grown a sizable selection of food items . Although she prides herself on her tomatoes, she has also planted cumbers, jalapeño peppers, collard greens, turnips, and pinto beans. When asked what she plans to do with the food items she responded, “Eat them.”
The gardening Network serves as a central point to connect individuals and organizations that have visions for their own gardens, and to find available land and resources for people to start gardening projects. The goal is to facilitate communication among all who have the initiative to start a garden.
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