Dig a Little Garden: How Community Gardens Transform Buffalo

By Monique Watts for Artvoice

How community gardens will save Buffalo and the world, one block at a time
You might be surprised to know that a single activity can fight crime, hunger, childhood obesity, promote social inclusion and anti-racism, lessen your global footprint, impact climate change, and promote recycling and water preservation—all without leaving your block. That activity is starting a community garden.

What began as a way to fight urban blight has become an enduring part of Buffalo. With one of the nation's largest annual garden walks, community gardens are taking center stage. Organizations have formed Buffalo Growing under Councilmembers David Rivera and David Franczyk. Learn more at www.buffalogrowing.com.

How do I start a community garden?
According to Gail Graham, West Side resident and vice president of Grassroots Gardens, all you need are a few neighbors willing to dig and weed. "I'm not a gardener," says Graham, but his organizing skills motivated involvement. His block's transformation is evident: from a shooting and drug activity to a thriving garden that deters crime and builds community.

Residents citywide share similar stories—gardens bridge economic and social divides, mend feuds, and provide fresh food. Grassroots Gardens has catalyzed over 40 community gardens with 23 more planned. They also help establish vegetable gardens and plan fruit trees.

"Sometimes people grow vegetables but don't know how to cook them," says Graham, leading to culinary instruction discussions. Refugees from farming communities seek space to grow food, helping them integrate. Grassroots assists with property, leases, liability insurance, plants, seeds, water, in exchange for a sustainable garden commitment. Costs are low—plants from cuttings, found objects. Greening grants and nursery discounts (including Urban Roots) are available.

Buffalo ReUse's community gardens.
Caesandra Seawell, Buffalo ReUse's director of community programs, says growing fresh food builds nutritionally and socially healthier neighborhoods. ReUse gardens incorporate recycled materials—picture frames, bicycle spokes, bricks, bedpost fences. They worked with students on the Children's Vinery garden. Fundraising at the Earth Warming Party (April 24, 298 Northampton St.) includes worm eating and a birdhouse contest from recycled materials.

Whether you adopt a garden bed from Massachusetts Avenue Project or Grassroots Gardens, or rally neighbors to cultivate a city lot, you can change your world by digging in the dirt.

Read more: Artvoice article