Cardboard, Community, and COVID-19

Cardboard dumpster dive for Raleigh City Farm!

Have you noticed the changes at Raleigh City Farm since our New Season of Stewardship began on February 1st with Josh Sattin as our new Farm Manager? In seven weeks, we’ve seen major transformations all over the site, beginning with our high tunnel that was cleared out (by volunteers), ripped off (by Mother Nature), re-installed (with more volunteers) and planted (by volunteers). Did we mention how much we love and appreciate our volunteers? Well, we do.

The technique we are employing for our beds is called “lasagna gardening” and our go-to material has been cardboard. Our first call was to our good friends at Wine Authorities and they began diverting their cardboard from the dumpster to the Farm. These wine boxes are regenerating our soil and we couldn't be more pleased. Another donor reached out after watching Josh’s YouTube video – someone who worked at the Aloft Hotel on Hillsborough Street. Check out this photo showing one stalwart volunteer taking one for the team with a serious dumpster dive!

Social Distancing and Flower Arranging at Raleigh City Farm!

The latest, perhaps favorite, “circle of life” events happened last week when a wedding was cancelled for obvious reasons. A neighborhood Listserv appeal requested storage for wedding flowers, and the Farm’s un-utilized cold storage unit was the perfect solution. Check out this photo of the wedding party’s floral arranging on our Farm Stage Pavilion whilst practicing their social distancing skills! The cardboard from the flower boxes will also be part of the mosaic of upcycled materials.

We’ve been heartened to watch the community engage with the Farm during this time of stress and uncertainty. Seeing families sit, stroll and watch the growth with offers to dig in and help has been uplifting and inspiring and exemplifies our mission in action.  Because of our classification as an “Essential” business under NC State law, we are moving forward with our Farmstand Kickoff and Farmshare program on Earth Day, April 22nd and invite the community to participate. Stay tuned for more info on all of the ways you can dig in!