Cultivating a Healthier Future
I’m Jenna, a student-fellow at The Center for Community-Engaged Design. I have been working with our partners at The Graffiti Garden in the Glenwood neighborhood to raise funds for the development of their important project. Graffiti Garden is an environmentally-sustainable community garden that was first cultivated a year ago in a vacant lot, just a mile and a half from UNC Greensboro’s campus. I was compelled to contribute to this urban garden project because I am interested in the value of permaculture gardening as a strategy for a healthier future. The rich biodiversity and edible landscape that permaculture gardening provides will benefit the Glenwood community from the ground up; and from root to table. Each interview, visit to the garden, and conversation I’ve had with Justin Lee, the founder of the garden, has truly increased my awareness of the importance of the promotion of healthful living and healthy environments to, not only the general community but, youth and families who are struggling to keep food on the table. Hunger and food insecurity are huge issues in Greensboro and the Triad. It is becoming increasingly more important to find smart and environmentally-conscious solutions to this problem. I believe that positive impact in this world starts locally, and The Graffiti Garden is a great way for community members of all ages to get involved and become educated about how to grow a healthier future. I am excited about where this project is headed, and I hope that everyone is just as eager as I am to support this local, positive initiative!
