Michael Chaney, the founder and director of Project Sweetie Pie, recites this poem in the middle of Karamu Community Garden in north Minneapolis. His goal: revitalize the neighborhood by building a stable food system, armed only with volunteer support.
Four years into the project, more than 30 gardens and 130 partners are producing food for the surrounding community.
"Gardens are only the beginning," Chaney said.
Project Sweetie Pie is an initiative started in 2010 by an Afro-eco environmental group concerned about the closing of North High School. Through the program, Chaney and his volunteers hope to create a gathering space for their neighborhood while giving kids the opportunity to work on a life skills project.
"[The garden] is in essence our town square for Plymouth Avenue. We'll start doing health initiatives, storytelling and reading to kids in the garden. This is just the first phase of it. Ultimately, there will be benches, banners and businesses" in the area, Chaney said.
Project Sweetie Pie is also teaching the community how to grow its own food — which is sorely needed in an area that lacks access and information. Produce in the garden includes tomatoes, cucumbers, herbs, cauliflower, broccoli, onions and kale. All of it is planted and later harvested by members of the community.