Harlem Grown

     Sunday Inspiration: Every Sunday, Meet the Visionaries who inspire our community.

Meet Tony Hillery

In this video, listen to the inspiring story of Tony Hillery, founder and director of Harlem Grown. He shares the story of Harlem Grown and his work in community building. As a school volunteer, Tony witnessed first-hand the lack of resources allocated to schools, the student’s poor nutrition, and how it effected their overall ability to do well in school.  Tony founded Harlem Grown to address the health and academic challenges facing public elementary school students in Harlem. In 2011, he rallied volunteers and raised the funds needed to transform an empty lot into a thriving urban garden, kicking off Harlem Grown’s first-ever growing season.  Since then he has expanded to operate local urban farms, increase access to and knowledge of healthy food for Harlem residents, and provide garden-based development programs to Harlem youth. Currently, Harlem Grown has 10 urban agriculture facilities ranging from soil-based farms, hydroponic greenhouses and school gardens. Most important by addressing the nutritional needs of the community he has proven that if a kid plants it, they will eat it. 

On September 25th, 2021 join them for their Fall Harvest Fair. "We will be celebrating the end of our growing season with our local community.  This is the perfect opportunity to share in the last of our produce, and learn about ways to stay healthy throughout the colder months with activities such as pickling and seed saving! You'll also get the chance to share some poetry and win some of our very own honey. Admission is free and everyone's invited! Some of the workshops include Cooking Workshops, Fall Crafts and Yoga on the Farm."   Harlem Grown"s Fall Harvest Fair will be held at 134th Street farm (118 W 134th St. New York, NY 10030) 

For more information and to support Harlem Grow, contact info@harlemgrown.org. or visit https://www.harlemgrown.org

Here are a few books to share with children:

Harlem Grown children discover the incredible true story of Harlem Grown, a lush garden in New York City that grew out of an abandoned lot and now feeds a neighborhood.  Book available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and local bookstores.

In thee Garden with Dr. Carver - Sally is a young girl living in rural Alabama in the early 1900s, a time when people were struggling to grow food in soil that had been depleted by years of cotton production. One day, Dr. George Washington Carver shows up to help the grown-ups with their farms and the children with their school garden. He teaches them how to restore the soil and respect the balance of nature. Book available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and local bookstores.

                                                                   

Everybody Eats  - When Carter volunteers at the food bank for the first time, hunger takes on a personal note when she runs into one of her friends from school. After reading a book on how she can help fight against hunger, Carter goes on a journey through her community to do what she can and teach others how they can help, too! Book will be available October 26, 2021 on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and local bookstores.