Week Seven with Extension by Daniel Gustitis

Pictured is all of the kale we harvested this week from the aquaponics research. We filled about 8 bags. We kept some for ourselves, handed it out to others, and put the remainder in the pantry for others to have. We harvested a lot for such a small space, which shows the potential aquaponics has for having an impact on food insecurity.

This week we talked about equity in healthy food options, and the barriers many, especially those in lower socioeconomic classes, face. Being in the Baltimore City office, i think we are particularly aware of these problems, and how real they are for so many. The Covid pandemic exacerbated existing inequalities, and raised food insecurity rates from 18% to 21.7%. This includes 33% of children being food insecure. Programs like SNAP only go so far, and food desserts plague this city, leaving people without access to healthy and nutritious food options.

Many of my days throughout this internship have been spent on urban farms here in the city that are fighting back against this huge problem, and looking to bring more locally grown and healthy food to the community. I have had several visits to Plantation Park in Park Heights to see what Farmer Chippy and others are doing there, helping with food safety classes, and seeing how Plantation Park will be part of the rainwater harvesting research. With the rainwater harvesting project, we can see what is necessary to set up the most accessible and safe systems so that urban farmers can have access to water they may otherwise struggle to find.

One of the projects that I have had the most involvement with is aquaponics research. Especially in an urban setting, aquaponics can help provide alternatives in a landscape that is not ripe with arable land ready to be farmed. While the systems are still relatively new and there are hurdles in regards to start up costs, as we do research we look to find more accessible alternatives that can reduce such costs. You can grow almost any vegetable in aquaponics, so the potential to alleviate some strain on the food system exists, and I have been very thankful to be allowed the opportunity to be a part of such exciting research.

Something I have been working on in my personal time is more communal gardens to serve people and communities that don’t have access to nutritious food. My wife manages the Hope Lodge in Baltimore City, and I started a vegetable garden this year in their courtyard. Here, cancer patients come from around the state, and the country, to seek treatment at one of our many institutions, and stay for free while they receive said treatment. In a place you are not familiar with, and hear stories that may make you hesitant to stroll through the city streets, access to healthy food may seem limited. The garden has been flourishing, and everytime I go to check on it, I am met with a lot of gratitude and stories of people adding to it and taking from it as intended. This was my first attempt at serving a specific community, and in just this first year where I have learned so much, it has been a huge success. Not only does this provide healthy organic food for these patients, it provides a green space that can help uplift people, which seems important when you are going through something like cancer treatment. I have been very happy to have that opportunity as well, and am excited to make it an even better experience for everyone next season.

This internship has provided me with a lot of experience and knowledge that I have already been able to take with me and share with others. I am very excited to continue this learning experience and to share my knowledge and skills with my community along the way and beyond.

 

This is the “meat” of the garden I have put together at the Hope Lodge. We have thriving cucumbers, peas, peppers, tomatoes,and berries, surrounded by herbs. Everyone has been enjoying all of the fruits and vegetables so far this season, and will continue to as more continues to grow.