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Post by Laura Steudel
A Few Hours Into Micro-Farming
Miramar, FL- This past March 13, 2019, I was able to attend the Miramar Community Garden along with my Holistic Human Development class, where we met Elsi Rose, the Development and Capital Management Coordinator of the Miramar Community Garden. Elsi’s enthusiasm towards the project was palpable, and her happiness at reaching others with the project’s mission was inspiring.
The project started taking shape back in 2009 and was finally planted and started in May 2010. The Garden is located in Fairway Park at 3700 Largo Drive and expands 3,150 square feet. It is the first demonstration of “micro-farming system” or “urban farming” in Broward County. The most amazing part is that it’s tended by its very own volunteers, and as of now they have about 45 members who work continuously on the garden. These volunteers are separated into groups, and each of these groups has their very own team leader, this way the garden is tended to every day by a rotation of different volunteers. The garden is very organized, and each section is denoted by letters, which represent crops assigned to each group. Nine years in the making, you can see the amazing development of the garden, where a variety of crops are spread out, crops of tomatoes, papaya, bananas, eggplants, yucca, peppers, kale, oregano, and much more can be seen spread out. You can literally make a salad of your own by just walking around this amazing garden, and how amazing is that?
We were also able to see the different projects that are being developed in the garden. They have installed their very own hydroponic system, which was a first for us to see; they even make their own compost and run events every third Saturday of the month, actually, this last Saturday March 16, after they worked on the garden during the morning hours, they opened their gates to invite their members and friends to a Raw Food Recipes demonstration. This just shows that this garden is not simply to sustain and an opportunity to grow organic produce, but a gateway to healthy living while helping others connect not only to their environment but also with their community. The Miramar Community Garden makes you wish for one of these amazing gardens in every corner, such a simple bare space repurposed to support the environment and its very own people.
There is so much to be done, and so many amazing people involved, like their very own “Farmer Alex” who works tirelessly in expanding and teaching others about growing their plants and produce. You will also get to meet their very own kitty protector, who will immediately greet you as soon as you enter the garden, and many more interesting people, ready to teach and support one another. Everyone is welcome, you don’t even need to live in Miramar to participate and become a member, just fill out the application in here, or email Elsi at erose@ci.miramar.fl.us, or start small and simply start your very own garden of herbs, in your kitchen window sill! If you simply want to learn more, follow them on their Facebook page here.
