YES Farm Black Farms Collective Miranda Taggart, Emma Rusin, Naod Sebhat & Jorge A. Lara Alvarado Sponsor: Ray Williams Mentor: Braden Wild INTROS. NAMES AND MAJORS WHY WE CHOSE THE PROJECT SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE LEARNING ABOUT URBAN FARMING ENGAGING WITH & EDUCATING THE COMMUNITY

The Project To assist Black Farmers Coalition (BFC) to develop a plan to create an environmentally and financially sustainable urban farm that connects community members through education and service. MIRANDA TO ANNOUNCE PROJECT

Background & Purpose The BFC is a group of Black food system professionals working to develop an urban farm and innovation center in cooperation with the SHA, WSDOT, and the Yesler community. We hope to... -Improve community health -Anchor African American leadership -Facilitate sharing of cultural traditions BFC wants to reach beyond the farm, incorporating education opportunities for low-income families on urban farming and nutrition. Ray’s philosophy is that the best way to improve health is to grow your own food. JORGE TO TALK ABOUT B&P

The Lay of the Land Just west of Yesler Terrace Community Center ~ 700 ft x 100 ft Elevation gradient: (-11.2%) Head Small reservoir Location Dimensions Possibility of terraced plots, Possibility of a small pond at the base of of the area (Rain garden: soak in rainwater runoff, natural water filtration system → potential for aquaponics), head allows for power free distribution of water to crops (drip irrigation) NAOD LAYS THE LAND FOR THE PEEPS

The Lay of the Land Layout/Site design Land Survey Proximity to the Interstate 2) Use this to evaluate best land use practice (where are the trees (potential shading), where will certain crops go, greenhouse location 3) How does the farm’s proximity to I-5 cause problems (pollution) 4) Notes on picture: large empty, fenced off space above the farm that is going to be developed into housing; small group of people living in tents outside the farm space - in the future it’ll be important to find ways to include the homeless populations. NAOD TO CONTINUE TO EXPLAIN THE SITE AND EMMA TO TALK ABOUT HER PICTURE

Obstacles Time commitment and scope of project Geography and soil status Proximity of land to camping sites, freeway, housing development Cost (water, soil, seeds, equipment, labor, and infrastructure) MIRANDA

HOW CAN WE HELP? SHORT TERM LONG TERM Field trip today Engage with Yesler Terrace Community Center & BFC leaders Develop methodology for testing soil viability & pollutant presence Establish internet presence for advertising LONG TERM Increase awareness of BFC at SU Develop sustainable irrigation framework Survey surrounding community to hone in on their visions Develop nutrition/urban farming “curriculum” to engage local youth & families Develop sustainable business model to propagate source of income Short term- Emma Long term- Miranda

ACTION PLAN Community Education Business Increase community engagement and inclusivity Create partnerships with SU Education Develop education programs for the community Determine educational priorities Business Create sustainable and community focused business model Partnering with SU Entrepreneurship center 3 pillars defining this project… Community: Reach out to partners within the community center to plan events/activities (kids, seniors) to gain traction for community/volunteer involvement by hosting events at the garden. Work parties, garden clean ups, potlucks, etc. through volunteering, developing research or field trips for both UCOR and major-specific classes, and with clubs like Food and Spirit, and The Vegan Society Education: (Emma) on topics such as environmental impact, how to garden, nutrition, food waste, composting, native plants, etc. Could be through events or demonstrations in the garden, through the community center, hosting field trips for local schools, posters around the garden, etc. Priorities: communicate with community members on what they hope to see and learn from the urban farm, and what would be the most helpful and important things to educate people on Business: to develop a financially sustainable business model We need to figure out a balance between variety and focused crops, leveraging the local communities needs. Cost effective crops are quick germinaters with quick turnaround, high yield, and low volume. [3 stages - We are in stage 1) assessing YES farm, workable land, identify types of crops based on soil viability, farming methods, Stage 2) Entrepreneurship presents a financial model and assist with grant writing: given these conditions, can we be profitable? Will we require external funding?...] Specifically, speak with Dr. Hilary Hawley about incorporating BFC service into sustainable food courses (UCOR 1100) Partner with GEMS (girls in engineering, math, and science), possibility of Spring 2019 after-school education program about urban farming and nutrition

Use SU Chemistry Lab to detect soil pollutants MOVING FORWARD Use SU Chemistry Lab to detect soil pollutants Bannan Scholars Involvement CEE surveying class Potential to become a Senior Capstone Project JORGE

QUESTIONS? THANK YOU.