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WARREN -- Free Indeed Prison Ministries, which helps individuals who have previously been incarcerated return to society, is working to get fresh vegetables and fruit to Warren residents with the establishment of a garden and greenhouse.
Martha Conyer-Allen, co-founder of Free Indeed Ministries, said a community garden was established on Fifth Street SW four years ago. The ministry contacted the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the garden qualified as an urban farm to benefit residents in the food desert of Warren's 6th Ward.
A new greenhouse was built this month to allow the gardening season to begin earlier and last longer during the year.
"The items are grown to help the local residents. We help families of those who are incarcerated and also to residents who live nearby who need help. We have had children of incarcerated people come here to gather vegetables," Conyer-Allen said.
She said the ministry acquired the two-lot property from the Trumbull Neighborhood Partnership land bank.
Conyer-Allen said organizers are contracted under USDA to have the urban garden for five years, with an irrigation system and now the greenhouse at 65 degrees in winter to harvest during the colder months and almost year-round.
She said they previously were growing only in spring and summer.
Walter Allen, co-founder / director of Free Indeed Ministries, said its EQIP (Environmental Quality Incentive Program) program educates the public, utilizes vacant property in the city, and provides food to benefit the community. He said the EQIP classification allows the urban farm to be in the organic category.
James Mashburn, a Free Indeed board member, said the greenhouse will allow an earlier start in the spring and more fall growing.
"Any time we can reach out and help people, that is our philosophy," Mashburn said.
Corn, Kentucky Wonder beans, cucumbers, tomatoes, and crimson sweet and Congo watermelon varieties have been grown. For the greenhouse there will be potatoes, sweet potatoes, garlic, collard greens and okra.
Conyer-Allen said the food is healthy and is grown in tested soil required by the USDA. She said the test determines whether there is lead in the ground.
She said local residents are volunteering at the garden, as are some families.
"The families are so excited to be receiving food. The woman across the street brought her grandchild over and into the greenhouse and saw the watermelons. We gave her Kentucky wonder beans and she cooked them and brought them over to us," Conyer-Allen said.
NOW PLANTING
She said cold-weather crops that can be planted now are broccoli, greens and garlic and they can be harvested in the spring.
The Ohio State University Extension office in Cortland has assigned a horticulturist who has stopped at the garden to provide guidance and assistance. Warren's First Presbyterian Church has provided a master gardener.
"We want to teach the local children how to raise and grow their own crops. We want to begin having education programs and workshops," Conyer-Allen said.
Ashley Dade of Warren said she and her children walk by the garden each day and have been asked to stop if they need anything. She said her children attend the nearby Jefferson PK-8 School.
"They have done so much here," she said.
Jeremy Mashburn, a board member and local doctor, said: "Any time we can benefit the physical and emotional well being of members of the community is a great thing."
"We hope that the community catches on and takes part in the garden," Conyer-Allen said, noting food will be donated.
She said the children of incarcerated parents are the first victims.
"I hear so much of parts of Warren being a food desert. We wanted to help do something and created this garden. We hope this catches on. When we drive to Cleveland we see these greenhouses everywhere in urban areas. Having this here economically is feasible because food is so expensive," Conyer-Allen said.
Jeremy Mashburn said fast food is less expensive then other food but is not healthy. He said the vegetables and fruit grown in gardens is so much healthier.
Conyer-Allen said the garden allows for local seniors who can't get to the store to get healthy food at no cost.