TV personality Tavis Smiley and Princeton professor Cornel West have been on a road trip called the Poverty Tour to highlight the plight of the poor people of all races, colors, and creeds so they will not be forgotten, ignored, or rendered invisible. Poverty Tour bus trips, which included stops in D.C. and Chicago have been aimed at bringing attention to the plight of America’s poor people, according to Smiley and West.
This week, our first papa of m.a.m.a. e a r t h, Urban Farmer Eugene Cooke welcomed Tavis Smiley and Dr. Cornel West on their visit to Truly Living Well Center for Natural Urban Agriculture as a stop during their Poverty Tour. Smiley and West were guided on a walking tour from the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church to the Wheat Street Garden farm site. Along the walk, TLW President Rashid Nuri talked with them about the value of sustainable local food systems. “We currently have 15 paid interns.”, said Nuri stressing the fact that urban agriculture creates jobs as well as access to fresh, natural food. Dr. Cornel West had many questions for Eugene Cooke, Operations Manager with TLW. Eugene discussed the volunteer training program, sustainable land use methods and the on-site farmers markets that help to connect the customers to the growers.
Truly Living Well Center For Natural Urban Agriculture is a four-acre prototype farm/campus that has been developed on the site where the Wheat Street Gardens apartments used to stand. This housing complex was removed as are many project housing complexes nation-wide leaving only concrete foundations and empty parking lots that attract loitering and trash. Rashid Nuri negotiated an agreement for Truly Living Well to present an innovative way to utilize the land for food production. Eugene Cooke helped to envision a design for the space that includes a greenhouse, orchards, berry and grape trellis systems, 54 raised beds, seasonal cut flower growing zone and a market space. “When people visit this center, they have the opportunity to learn many aspects of urban agriculture from greenhouse germination to composting, all on one site.”, says Cooke.
As Smiley and West met with crew and family, they saw firsthand the positive impact this Center for Natural Urban Agriculture has had on the lives of those in this community in just over 8 months. Dr. West asked about any partnership with Will Allen at Growing Power in an effort to encourage collaboration. Rashid Nuri answered, “We talk often. Will Allen is doing great work and we look forward to strengthening our relationship.” Eugene’s meeting with these intelligent and intriguing men on their nationwide tour was an amazing opportunity and provided a working example of a grassroots solution that increases access to healthy food, skills and resources. This is important work and we congratulate Eugene on all he has accomplished to date!
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