1. 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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. QUESTIONS?
THANK YOU.