Sustainable beauty: Great Kids Farm, Catonsville, MD

Wooden sign carved by great kids

There’s a faded sign on Rt. 40 in Catonsville towards Patapsco State Park that you’ve probably driven by a hundred times and never noticed. It certainly doesn’t stand out like those blaring neon signs across the street for the strip mall that seems slightly out of place. As a matter of fact, the area itself seems a bit forgotten. But if find yourself going southbound on 40 towards the city and get stuck at the traffic light (Nuwood Dr.is the intersection), it’s worth paying attention to that old, weathered marker.

The scenic views are plenitful

It reads, “George F. Bragg Nature and Horticultural Training Center,” a place I have never heard of.  I found myself at that exact light one day, and finally decided to see what it was about. Anything that had to do with nature or horticulture is always right up my alley, so I turned right and went down a very shady road that lead to a very surprising discovery.

Twisted root branch on path

When I reached the bottom of the road, there was another sign pointing up to a trail, so I parked my car and trekked up a hill where I heard strange animal noises. They were goats! I believe is the term for their language is bleating, which they continued to do as I got closer to their pen. They were all sizes and shapes and seemed very happy.

Apiaries

I kept on going when the trail opened up to what appeared to be a farm. Dilapidated office buildings and run down greenhouses caught my eye first, but then I looked down and noticed neat, little rows of planted lettuces, squashes and wild flowers that were in the beginning stages of bloomage. Volunteers of all ages and cultural backgrounds were scattered about, quietly focused on weeding, planting and painting, causing the shabby structures to eventually fade into the background.


Administration building

Despite its initial appearance, there was a zen-like energy surrounding the farm. The more I looked around, the more the property seemed like an oasis in the middle of a forest-- the Patapsco State Park literally butts up to the back side of the farm.  As I was taking a picture of some beautiful, early celosia plants, I fortuitously bumped into the Director of the farm, Tony Geraci, who happens to be Baltimore City School’s newest food service director. He was very welcoming, despite the fact that I may have been trespassing!

Early blooming celosias

He gave me a little background on the operation, explaining the property was recently purchased by the Baltimore City Public School system. They had been looking for a farm for their city food program. This hidden, former horticultural training center still had good bones to work with so they moved in and have been working on upgrading the farm ever since.

Assorted lettuces

Renaming it "Great Kids Farm," the city school system had an important mission: to educate students on the importance of growing sustainable food while teaching organic farming practices. The fruits of their labor will be incorporated into school lunches in hopes of lowering the carbohydrate, sugar and fat content that is a concern in public school lunch programs throughout the state.

Community Supported Agriculture 

Known fondly as the “Cafeteria Man” by students and volunteers, Geraci said the Great Kids Farm is determined to change the way city students look at vegetables and all things grown in the ground, as opposed to relying on fast food for nutrition which is an unfortunate reality in urban culture.

Stray garden onion

Geraci has a successful background in the farm to fork movement—he previously worked as the food service director in Contoocook County, N.H., a district with 11 schools and 5,000 students. He quickly converted the high carb, low taste lunches of the past into healthy, savory meals, often cooking them from scratch. The results were positive and well received.

Micro-greens for local restaurants

In addition to student lunches, the farm participates in the Community Supported Agriculture (C.S.A.) program, a new trend many Maryland farms are adopting to help under-privileged families. They are also growing micro-greens for local restaurants, such as Corks, Donna’s, Woodbury Kitchen and Dogwood.

A perfect eggplant from the farm

I spoke to several workers who told me how generous people have been with their time and donations to help rebuild the farm. Volunteers receive incentives for their time and efforts, including leadership opportunities and a percentage from farm profits.

Produce and flowers getting bagged for C.S.A.

The history of the property tells an equally interesting story of youth empowerment and change. After digging around on the internet, I discovered the Horticultural Nature center was named after an Episcopalian Reverend named George Freeman Bragg, a kind-hearted man who built a home here for orphaned African American children in early 1899. His goal was to care for and empower these children that would not likely receive many opportunities given the climate of the newly post slavery era. With his help, most of the orphans went on to become foster children or were adopted.

Greenhouse of forgotten plants

Walking around, one greenhouse stood out among the others--it was filled to the brim with giant rubber plants, overgrown philodendrons, root clippings in jars, and some unidentifiable old orchids. Unlike the orderly rows of micro-greens next door, this greenhouse was muggy, mossy and chaotic and definitely had a story to tell. Gloria Rosen, a long-time volunteer, was clipping some tangled strands off a pothos plant when she introduced herself. She told me this greenhouse was her favorite—her passion for rescuing old plants has been going strong since she was a horticulture teacher for 30 years in the public-school system. Many of the plants were donations or leftovers from the horticultural center where she also volunteered for years, and they are as cared for now as any other plant on the property.  

Dill 

In the largest building, across from the greenhouses, volunteers prepare the C.S.A. bags for local city residents. In addition to a nice assortment of seasonal fruits and vegetables, the bags also receive bunches of wild flowers.

Assorted squashes

One of the sections of the farm was under construction, it seems the entire property is currently being bid on by local architects and developers to give the buildings a much needed face lift. I can imagine living roofs and all sorts of sustainable touches coming in the following years. For now, Great Kids Farm is a functioning, happy place full of promise and great energy.



As I was leaving, Tony invited me to come hear urban gardener and advocate, Will Allen, the following night. Allen is a Mac Arthur Genius Grant winner and urban community farmer who will be discussing his book “Growing Power,” which deals with getting inner city children involved in urban farming projects. His Cabrini-Green Chicago Avenue Community Garden project became a huge success which serves as an inspiration to beautification projects all over America. I figured it was a perfect opportunity for me as I just helped write a grant for Catonsville’s first beautification project on Frederick Rd.

Near perfect sunflowers

Geraci concluded saying he feels the Great Kids Farm is a litmus test of what could be the future for all schools nationwide. He encourages visiting students to get their hands dirty by seeing how food gets grown and how fun it can be. With an eco-system firmly in place, all humans, plants and animals (except for deer, there is a good fence keeping them out) are contributing to the sustainability and success of this very special green operation that is quickly becoming a great farm. I believe Mr. Bragg would agree.

Great Kids Farm 
The George F. Bragg, Nature Study/Horticultural Training Center 
6601 Baltimore National Pike, Catonsville, MD 21228
410.747.8336 

To schedule a visit to Great Kids Farm, have your parent or teacher contact the Baltimore City School's Office of Food and Nutrition Services at the Command Center
443.984.2000 

To contact Will Allen at Growing Power, Inc., go to:

www.growingpower.org
www.growingpower.org/blog/archives/5

Dying beauty: Baltimore's neglected neighborhoods

Investment classes, North Broadway. Baltimore, MD 2009.

Several weeks ago, I went to the Herring Run Berry Festival. To get there I cut through upper Fells Point, taking Broadway to Harford Rd. I saw some sights I wasn't expecting.

What I saw was candid and raw, unveiling a truth about the conditions of many Baltimore city neighborhoods we aren't supposed to acknowledge. Just drive by them and don't stare. Get to your safe neighborhood in the county.

We hear Charm City when we hear Baltimore, but forget it was also called "Mobtown."

De-feet. Baltimore, MD. 2009

The Wire was not only one of the best shows on H.B.O., it was an accurate portrayal of a beautiful, neglected city in a lot of trouble. Not much has changed since the show ended last year. N. Broadway is less than 3 miles from the event where children, adults and pets were happily celebrating the joys of berries with their happy berries. But like many sections of the city, there are no community events or celebrations here. A memorial tribute constructed on a speed limit sign no doubt honors the death of a neighborhood child.

Stuffed animals pay tribute to a child killed. Baltimore, MD. 2009

There is still much life to be found in the form of architecture along this road. But where is everybody?

While some were boarded up, many houses still have residents. But they were no where to be found on a beautiful Saturday afternoon.

Moorish influence found in row house entrance. Baltimore, MD 2009

Johns Hopkins Hospital is the one of the most reputable hospitals in the world. This hospital is also located on North Broadway. Would you want to come all the way across the country or world to come here for a doctor knowing it is located in one of the most dilapidated, dangerous neighborhoods in the state?

Investing in Baltimore. 2009

There is a $3000.00 tax grant incentive to buy homes in Baltimore City.

More boarded up or board game? Baltimore, 2009.

Is this enough to save the dying neglected beauty that is Baltimore City?

Baltimore Cemetery. 2009

Sometimes, I find neglected beauty that is just too neglected. This would be one of those times.

ALL PHOTOS BY THE FLOWER SPY.

Sky blue beauty

Skylite with marshmallow

Do you remember summers long ago when you and your friends would find a perfect spot on a grassy lawn, plop yourselves down and just look up at the sky for hours? Skygazing--that's what we called it, and it quickly turned into a game of "that cloud looks like your _________", filling in the blank with any gross or vivid interpretation your adolescent mind could create. It was usually mid to late summer when we'd do this, wasting many a day just lying there being all dreamy and cool. At least we thought we were. Those days may have been among my first existential experiences--the conversation invariably turned towards heaven and what are we here for anyway, that sort of thing. What great memories.

Cloud amoebas becoming one above church steeple

This summer, I have a young woman helping me out in the design studio. She's not a kid, and she's not an adult... she's a teenager (scream). At that in-between age of I'm so over you, but I still need help with school projects. It's an insidious age for parents, I believe. Half the time, I struggle to see if I'm getting through to her or if I am simply being tolerated.

Former pod of whale clouds

Today I asked my teen apprentice if she wanted a snowball-- it was on me--as we had been running around all afternoon, and I thought it would be a nice break. She said no. What? No. You heard right. How does anyone turn down a free snowball in the summer? I tried to convince her, but she was just not 'into' it-her words. I got one anyway; snowballs are my favorite summer treat. I embarrassed her when I ordered skylite blue and then I got marshmallow all over my face (how can you not have marshmallow with that color?) I didn't wipe it off on purpose; it was killing her as I walked by a group of girls who rolled their eyes better than I ever did at their age.

What you should be eating right now

When our break was over, we went back to work , or so I had planned. That didn't happen; I grabbed my camera instead and headed out to the highest point in our neighborhood, mortified teenager in tow. The clouds were majestic, and I thought it was a perfect day for some skygazing. Miss I'm-Not-Talking-Right-Now looked at me like I was crazy. Didn't care. I made her sit on the grass at the top of a beautiful hill and gaze up at the sky. She complained initially but I got some feedback after 5 very long minutes. She had spotted a warlock-ish man next to a pre-historic bird, and the game had begun.

Separated baby doll parts cloud

Angsty girl turned back into fun-loving teen after about the 5th cloudscape passed us by. I think my cool stock may have risen a little at that point.

Cloud heart

Hidden beach beauty: Ventnor, NJ

This past July 4th weekend, I visited a quaint, though not well-known little beach on the southern Jersey shore called Ventnor. Situated in between Atlantic City and Margate, Ventnor is a town filled with rich architecture, well-tended gardens and a diverse group of residents. You may recognize its name from the Monopoly board game, (it's one of the less-expensive properties on the first corner after "GO"). Otherwise, Ventnor is more of a referral type of place, I had friends fill me in on its location and charming sleepy-beach, small-town feel. Because of this, I thought it would be a perfect candidate for my neglected beauty discovery list.


If you've ever driven to Atlantic City and continued down towards Jersey's other beaches, you may have passed Ventnor on your drive. Blink and you may miss it (it's that small), and unless you are familiar with this cozy community, you may not stop. Both of my hospitable hosts grew up on the upper East Coast, making them more privy to local, lesser known beach finds. Having grown up visiting Maryland beaches year after year, I was delighted to discover a new shore spot. To me, New Jersey seemed like the perfect place--not too far, with the same ocean I was accustomed to swimming in-- deep green and murky, always filled with surprises.

Deco Hotel on boardwalk


Ventnor was founded in the early 19th century and named after a town of the same name located off England's Isle of Wight. Many of the homes and buildings feature Victorian and Art Deco styles, visible influences of the time in which they were built. Sycamore trees line the streets, making the town look more bed-room than beach community. Finding the ocean at the end of a heavily landscaped street seems rather unexpected.


While the best part for many is Ventnor's proximity to Atlantic City, I prefer the scenery on the drive up. Rt 40- East is the fastest route, and although you'll pass lots of farms and crops, boredom won't be an issue. No, this is a ride filled with Americana kitch, starting with Cowtown's rodeo mega-cowboy in Salem county. The huge figurine sets the tone for a backwoods feel, making you wonder if you are heading north or south.


Once you hit the main stretch of Rt. 40, the wildness continues with places like Story Book Land and Pistol Pete's steakhouse, two places I've never been in but continue to allure me. Next visit will be filled with prime rib and creepy madhatters, I can feel it.

Story Book Land


The closer you get to the beaches, you'll start to see Casino billboards, very few mentioning Ventnor, making you realize this is a town over shadowed by gamblers searching for for bright lights and black-jack, not relaxation by the dunes.


The mini colesium at the end of Rt. 40 marks your entrance into Ventnor. The small main street (Ventnor Ave.) is lined with convenience stores and trees, not high rise hotels or casinos. It's very inviting, hard to believe this little beach town is right down the street from its noisy neighbor, Atlantic City. You feel like you are in a far away place, forgotten in time. The buildings are an odd mixture of styles and heights, and the houses are pressed together like an inner city neighborhood.


There isn't much to do here, which suits me just fine. The beaches are long and not very crowded and there's plenty of small eateries up and down both main streets. People are free to be themselves here and relax in anyway they see fit, like a woman I spotted doing Tai Chi by the beach.


One of the best parts of Ventnor would have to be walking around town, hitting the little side streets, and checking out the gardens. Some of the gardens off the boardwalk have spectacular, tailored displays of both flowers and statuary. Not all are tasteful, but are certainly eye-catching.

Boardwalk Gardens


And then there are the hydrangeas which pop up just about everywhere, including in my hostesses garden. In every color and every size, you will find Ventnor to house some of the prettiest hydrangeas around.


As you can see, Ventnor is more than just a stop over on your way to Margate or Atlantic City. It has everything a quiet beach community needs, from pretty neighborhoods to quaint restaurants, with a gorgeous view of the ocean right around the corner. It's no wonder it's slogan has become "Vintage Ventnor".


Best time to go: NOW! And if you find yourself on Nashville Ave. and see a house with a Raven flag out front, make sure you say "hi" to the folks on the porch and thank them for all they've done to promote this beautiful little known beach town.


All photos taken by the International Flower Spy.