Michael Jackson

R.I.P. Michael Jackson 1958-2009

You've inspired us in many ways with your music and your strength through all the hard times. Your music inspired us in the garden by pushing us to make life out of everything. If we had the chance to meet you we would tell you how inspirational his music was and of course ask how to do the moon walk. We're going to miss you!

ALERT: DUE TO PENDING WEATHER FORECAST OF RAIN FOR THIS SUNDAY. THE OPENING WILL BE HELD SUNDAY JUNE 28,2009

To the City!

[Vikki and Aaron goofing off on a hot summer day!]


[Vikki, Ashley, and Jelly glamorously waiting for the train.]


[The beautiful scenery to NYC!]


[Everette's model shot on the train to New York]


[Rob, Steven, and John preparing for the wonderful day ahead!]
[and whos that in the background?!]


[Andrea, Tinisha, and Jalen caught a little off gaurd on the train]


[Decora writing in his poetry book on the ride to NYC]


[Kim keeping a watchful eye.]


[Learning a new lesson from "More Gardens" in the South Bronx]


[Enjoying the Urban Garden in South Bronx]


[South Bronx garden in between highways and on top of the subway]


[Meet another Urban Farmer]


[The movable garden beds in the South Bronx Urban Farm]


[Walking the streets of South Bronx to another Urban Farm]


[Boarding the subway!]


[Wendy and Steven chatting on the subway home.]


[The twins walking to meet the Clear water group]

[On their way to get tools, they have to stop and pose.]


[The very first day the Ashe Urban Farmers walked to the garden.]


[Jalen and Andrea creating a path way]


[Drea on the swing with everyone laughing at her, nearly hitting the tree-side.]


[Gathering together after a long day]


[In Peekskill at the train station!]


[Another pic of us on our trip to Peekskill]

What We Grow

Tomatoes

Sugar Baby

Spagetti Squash

Pole Beans

Okra

Kidney Beans

Jalapeno Pepper

Black Beans

Our Goals.....

Think Outside The Box

1- Give the youth a voice

2- Empower the community through organic farming

3- Reduce, Re-use, Recycle

4-Educate our community

5-Provide entertainment to the community

6- Keep the garden self-sustained

7- Peaceful environment

8- Grow 200 pounds of food

9- Beautify our community

10- Have FUN!!!

Open Letter To The Public

June 2, 2009
To Whom It May Concern:
We are Ashe Urban Farm, the only youth run farm in Orange County, New York. We came together because of an afterschool program at Newburgh Free Academy. We are located in Newburgh, which according to the U.S. Census Bureau, is the 4th poorest city in New York State, but the way we look at it, we are the richest. Fighting against all stereotypes, we are enriching ourselves with knowledge, diverse skills, and striving for success. Through urban farming, we learn how to be responsible and work together to become independent leaders. The City of Newburgh has been facing an over abundance of tragedy. In the short time that we’ve written this letter, we can think of at least of 4 incidents in where our peers have been shot, killed, or have been participated in these acts. Through these unfortunate tragedies, we found a way to make a difference in our community. We have been studying the art of farming and have already learned so much. Not only has farming been able to benefit our local neighborhoods, but also teaches us the importance of responsibility, patience, service to others, and most importantly-teamwork. The median age of our group is 16, most of us went from never having knowledge of what an urban farm is, to running our own. We’ve spent much of our time exploring, learning, and farming different types of fruits and vegetables, such as tomatoes, squash, beans, peas, chamomile, peppers, pumpkin, and okra. We have six beds of organic food growing, with a stage, seating area for 20 and a peach tree. We plan to grow 200lbs of food for families in the community and the rest of it we’re going to sell and the money we receive will go to making improvements on the farm. Everything we’re doing has been done in a 600sq ft space with 18 afterschool students and a DREAM! In the future our intensions are to feed more families with a larger space of our own but in the meantime we would like to invite you to our Urban Farm Opening on June 21, 2009 on Gidney Ave between Dubois St and N. Miller at 6pm to 8pm. The rain date is Sunday June 28,2009. We would appreciate it if you came to meet us and see what we’ve accomplished.
Sincerely,
Aaron Scott, Andrea Baynes, Angelica, Victoria & John Scialpi, Ryan O’Rourke, Jalen Bartee, Wendy Garcia, Tinisha Green, Yvette Ramirez, Robert Colon, Rob Tompkins, Steven Florie, Andrea Nevling, Ashley Sarvis, Rebecca Sander-Eachus, Everette Byrd, Calea Daniels,


Decora Program Director & Founder of Urban Farmers League
Kim Bersin Program Co-Director
Emmanual Wells On-Line Creative Director
Steven Bellamy On-Line Creative Co-Director

Made possible by Newburgh Rising (City of Newburgh 21st Century After school Programs)

Picture Me Rollin!

[John planting beans]


[Wendy & Rebecca plotting]


[Spud]


[Victoria]


[Aaron and Everette tilling]


[Aaron "Bam check me out!"]


[Ryan looking all mysterious]


[Her hair blowing in the wing covering Aarons knees]


[A couple of us planting early Sunday morning]


[A reflection of a good cause that will hopefully bring change]


[Robert and John Planting]


[Whos in that tree!?... Oh its Aaron!]


[Tilling, planting, and turning over the soil]


[Showing them how Arugala grows]


[Pay attention everybody!]


[Ashley looking all confused =]


[Wendy looking proud]


[Just a quick lesson]


[Jalen, Andrea, and the funny looking scarecrow that doesn't look scary]