SpringFest and our Urban Farm
2016-03-24
SpringFest is April 23rd: A day to work on our gardens and get them ready for spring!
In the middle of February, spring and summer feel like a distant dream, but come April, the urgency of life springing forth can be an awakening, shaking us out of the winter doldrums and forcing gardeners to catch up quickly to the pace of life. With more light and rain, our preparations hasten to transform nineteen vacant lots into a verdant urban farm.
Our farm site occupies land currently zoned as residential. With the help of Home HeadQuarters, we submitted an application to the City of Syracuse to allow the property to be zoned for agricultural use. We strongly believe that these lots are ideal as a farm, and more importantly, an urban farm is the best use of lots for the community. While we wade through the legal hurdles, we are steadfast in our preparations for the upcoming growing season.
This spring we will begin installation of water lines and a fence, and construction of a tool shed, packing shed and cold storage unit. Some diseased trees will be removed, and native shrubs will be planted in wet areas. Serviceberry shrubs and ornamental flowers will be planted along part of the fence line. New soil and compost will be tilled into rows to prepare for late spring planting.
We are looking for volunteers to help us till the turf, deconstruct pallets that will be used for a packing shed, remove litter and brush, install the fence, and plant crops. We also will need access to a pay loader, dump truck and tiller in late March/early April.
Get ready for Spring! Join us on April 23rd, for Brady Faith Farm’s Spring Fest! There are lots of opportunities to get involved in this community building event. The Annual Syracuse Grows Resource Drive will be using the farm as its hub for loading and delivery of compost to take to community gardens. Volunteers can help shovel compost and wood chips, drive pick-ups or help us or other community gardens prepare for spring. Spring Fest, hosted by Brady and students from SUNY ESF, will include family-friendly activities to inspire people to explore nature at the farm site.
We hope you can join us on April 23rd. Please visit our Facebook page for more event and farm updates.
