The PFP’s City Seeds Project

By Barbara Lindsey*

I am a fortunate volunteer this fall with PFP’s City Seeds project, led by PFP Educator, Jamie Levato, and assisted by Vassar PFP intern, Hillary Lyons.  Students who sign up for City Seeds are from Poughkeepsie Middle and High Schools (mostly grades 6 – 10).

Shatia, a student notes that  working for City Seeds “gives you a nice peaceful environment to work in and have fun.”   

Students planted an organic vegetable garden in the High School courtyard last Spring. This Fall, for six weeks, they harvested on Monday and cooked on Wednesday. 

As student Jessica C. says, “It’s the most fun and awesome time I had.”

Kale, collards, scallions, tomatoes, carrots, peppers, garlic, oregano, - you know what great food you can make from these ingredients, and Jamie has some awesome recipes!  (Though Ian says, “Vegetarian – meh.”)  The students have made pizza, crustless quiche, chili, soup, kale biscuits, sautéed greens, corn muffins with peppers, fried green tomatoes, carrot soup, minestrone, and roasted potatoes.  They do the food preparation (some gourmet choppers in the group!), follow the recipes, and clean up while the food cooks for a late afternoon meal to share around the tables in the Middle School Home Economics room.

Last week, the PFP group had a field trip to meet with the Beacon Green Teens at the farm for a tour led by Vassar intern Robin – tasting raspberries, identifying the growing greens, learning about cover crops, crop rotation, and insects.

Jessica S. exclaims:  “I have met new people and made new friends.  I have also learned new things about gardening and harvesting.” 

The group also saw and discussed a film about farmworker justice, followed by, of course, cooking and eating:  carrot muffins and tossed salad with homemade dressing!  (Are you drooling yet?)

Jamie works on positive group process during the afternoons, always including a time for each to share something about him/herself, and ending with appreciations.  You can be sure that I appreciate Jamie’s leadership, what each student so enthusiastically gives to the project, and what wonderful results they have shared with me – both their knowledge and the delicious meals they prepared.  Claneice concludes “It’s cool; I want to do it again next year.”         

*Written 10/30/11