31 Division NCOs at Zawadi Farm
On Sunday August 15th, 2021, we met Jessey and Emma at the Zawadi Farm (72 Canuck Ave). Zawadi Farm provides nutritious produce to community members, along with educational opportunities for visitors and youth through the Children and Youth Farming Program.
The Children and the Youth Farming Program is a 6 week program, providing educational opportunities for children and youth facing barriers (whether they are academic, social, or economic), through engagement with local agriculture to cultivate healthy communities.
Using food as a tool to connect with and empower children to a lifelong of healthy eating and learning. Children and youth learn how to plant their own seeds, along with different types of soil and how to grow plants indoors as many of the children lived in high-rise urban cities. They’ve learned about different fruits and vegetables and how each of them grow differently. At the end of the program, the participants receive a plant to take home, along with seeds to grow produce at their home.
Jessey, a local community farmer, provided us with an educational lesson on how his tilling method does not disturb nutrient dense soil and allows plants to reap as much water as possible. PC Marshall put the tool in action for a demonstration.
We met Marisa, a neighbourhood resident who brought her mother to the farm. Marisa had stumbled upon this farm by accident one day while taking walk. She met the local farmers and was immediately impressed by their community initiatives and knowledge of gardening/farming and the quality of their produce. She continues to frequent the farm, and has brought friends and community groups since her initial visit.
We met Jacklyn and a couple youth members from the program who were preparing food arrangements for the day.
A special thanks to
@zawadifarm @bccctorontoand @torontoblackfarmers
@tps31div
@tps_cpeu
@torontopolice
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