Baltimore BORN

The boys of Baltimore BORN continued their civic engagement and discovery of new opportunities, resources, and networks on Saturday, November 19 at Real Food Farm. Real Food Farm is Civic Works’ urban agriculture enterprise engaged in growing fresh produce on six acres of land in Clifton Park in northeast Baltimore. Real Food Farm works toward a just and sustainable food system by improving neighborhood access to healthy food, providing experience-based education, and developing an economically viable, environmentally responsible local agriculture sector.

The boys arrived on the brisk November morning, ready to help a variety of volunteers to prepare the land and plants for the winter months. The boys spent the early hours moving sod from one location to a plod of land that will be used for cultivation next growing season. Laying the worm-rich sod over the grass will help the soil develop over the dormant, cold months. The BORN students worked tirelessly, loading wheelbarrow after wheelbarrow and working as a team to transport and lay the sod.

The boys also worked in the hoophouses, preparing the leafy vegetables for winter survival. The staff toured the farm, relating information about the enterprise, the virtues of urban agriculture, and the history of Clifton Park. The students learned that the land being farmed was formerly Clifton Lake. Their helping to move the sod was an important effort to ensure that water does not pool in the field and kill future crops.

As a reward for the work and an opportunity to network and share stories, the boys joined a potluck lunch with staff and other volunteers. They feasted on two freshly-prepared soups, whole-grain bread, clementines, a sweet potato curry dish, and chips and salsa. A few boys got involved in a frisbee toss during lunch in the warming sunshine. BORN looks forward to many more visits and service learning hours earned at Real Food Farm.