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)