5 Loaves gives city kids farm experience

Juma Bienvenue and Matt Kaufman at 5 Loaves Farm

By Ebony Linzy
Bengal News West Reporter

In a track jacket, blue jeans and sneakers Juma Bienvenue seems at home, as he strolls through the farm with his bike. Scanning the season’s harvest and analyzing its progress, Bienvenue nods his head in agreement at the success of the crops thus far.

Bienvenue is one of the many who volunteer at the 5 Loaves Farm, created a year ago on the corner of West Delavan and West Avenue by the Buffalo Vineyard City church. The church, located on 170 Potomac Ave,  is using the farm to encourage healthy eating, education and urban economic development. 

 Matt Kaufman, on the farm's purpose:

 

The farm offers approximately 60 different fruits, vegetables and herbs all of which come from its year round harvest including the fall.

Acknowledging the growing link between poverty and obesity, the farm’s manager Matt Kaufman said establishing the farm is a big step in countering the problem at least in the area. “We grow healthy foods so that our urban neighbors will have healthier options. We’re trying to provide not only healthy food, but lifestyles,” Kauffman said.

Harvested by a variety of individuals including students of the Tapestry Charter School, neighbors and volunteers, the farm not only offers healthy produce but offers educational opportunity as well.

In fact the House of Grace After School Program plays a huge role in the maintenance of the farm, being as it’s students assist with harvesting a few days out of the month.

Dan Austin, the manager of the after school program said he thinks the farm is great when it comes to the educational opportunities and values that the farm promotes. “We try to encourage the kids to be proactive people in their neighborhoods. We talk a lot of pro-activity, and we chose the farm as an example of that,” said Austin.

The students not only gain firsthand experience about farming, but also learn about healthy living which is also what the church aims to do.

In addition to educational opportunities, the farm also offers a number mentorship and economic opportunities as well.

Interns are given an opportunity to work alongside Kaufman and gain the knowledge and skills required to operate a farm. Taking no more than about four interns at a time, the internships are paid and can be rewarding.

Bienvenue, an immigrant from Kenya, interned during the summer of last year said he enjoyed the internship and learned a lot.

“I gained a lot of experience, I thought I knew more,” Bienvenue, a student at Hutch-Tech High School. “Matt showed me how to organize things and keep them organized.”

Bienvenue who lives down the street from the farm on Normal Avenue, said although his internship has ended he still volunteers and helps Kaufman take care of the farm whenever he gets the chance. He is among the many who volunteer and dedicate themselves to the upkeep of the farm outside of the weekly Saturday volunteer hours.

Beyond economic and educational opportunities, the farm also offers Community Supported Agricultural shares that allow neighbors to invest in the farm. Through the purchase of CSAs people buy 20 weeks’ worth of veggies including beets, cabbages, and salad greens, in which the money supports the farm’s educational and economic aspects.

Kauffman also said the church is aiming to become a market farm, which would provide more youth employment opportunities as well increase produce options.

Kauffman is eyeing some additional lots that the church also owns for possible expansion of the farm. And with the growing community support expansion may be near.

“We’ve received overwhelmingly positive feedback," Kaufman said. "A community of folks have stepped up and supported us.”