West Harlem church embraces sustainable urban farming

From Harlem-

For years, the only plants that grew in the polluted gardens of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church on West 125th Street were some scattered shrubs, trees, and flowers.

Today, Billy Adams, the gardener for St. Mary’s, can barely recite every flora inhabiting the church’s small plot of land.

There are carrots, snap peas, strawberries, beets, arugula, grapes, and eggplants. There are herbs and flowers, some of which adorn the garden with unclear purpose. There is even catnip, which was planted by a volunteer who never returned for it—the plant may end up going to a local stray cat that roams the churchyard.

“The chard is good,” Adams said. “Lots of lettuce, tomatoes, strawberries.” He notes with delight the tomatoes, which get the most sunlight and are flourishing.

St. Mary’s Urban Farm, as the garden is now called, signals a trend of religious institutions embracing the local food movement. The garden’s 28 soil beds are mostly supported by volunteers, including Columbia students and members from an Occupy Wall Street contingent in Harlem.

More here-

http://www.columbiaspectator.com/2012/09/17/west-harlem-church-embraces-sustainable-urban-farming