Urban farm, gardens meetings showcase the art of growing

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Updated: March 1, 2012 8:24AM

GARY — Of the nearly 50 people attending the Stewart House Urban Farm and Gardens community meeting Saturday at Christ United Methodist Church, many are seasoned gardners and masters of the art of growing fruits and vegetables.

“I have been a gardner since 1940,” Gary resident Dorothy Jung said during the meeting. “I have a fenced in plot and I grow tomatoes, bell and cayenne peppers and greens. My husband was the main gardner, however, until he died in 1997 and I took over. It is a relaxing activity, and it’s something we need more of in the city.”

Sandra Soczyk Rodriguez and Christ United Methodist Pastor Katurah Johnson acknowledge that local gardners like Jung are the type of people needed for the Stewart House Urban Farm and Gardens project.

The foundation and home for the project is 1501 Massachusetts St., where the former John Stewart Settlement House was located. The project started a year ago after Rodriguez’s passion for homegrown fruits and vegetables grew after starting a farmer’s market at Marquette Park United Methodist Church in the Miller neighborhood.

“We have the property and last year we did a dedication ceremony. We are now in the process of interacting with the community and the community gardners,” Rodriguez continued. “We are seeking knowledge and suggestions from the gardners. Who remembers their parents or grandparents gardening and did the tradition continue? What can we learn for you that can be infused into our project and educate younger people and those who do not garden?”

Johnson agreed. “Urban farms and gardens are not a new phenomenon; it has a long history, and even the Stewart House itself had an area where fruits and vegetables grew. We still have people who remember or used services provided by the Stewart House living, and I think a Stewart House reunion may happen later in the year.

“We need to go back to growing and eating healthy foods and provide it to the community. We’ve gotten away from fresh foods and eat more processed fruits and vegetables and fast food.”

Charles Hensel said he moved to Gary in 1964, adding that there was a “sizable amount of gardens” then.

“As far as I know, in Miller we have five gardens now and a neighbor and I share space in an unused alley and created a garden. I raise carrots, beets, squash, beans, peas, tomatoes and parsnips,” he said.

Elliot Joiner of Memphis, Tenn., said his father was a shepherd farmer.

“I knew about gardening in the first grade and as long as I’ve lived in Gary, I’ve had a garden,” he said.

Joiner also applauded Rodriguez for her vision. “Our community suffers because of lack of a steady economy. There is nothing wrong with growing your own food. My vision is to have a big enough garden to grow and provide fresh vegetables and fruit to the community for free.”

Rodriguez liked Joiner’s vision and added that to keep the project growing, the organization focuses on growing and selling their produce at the farmer’s market.

George Bates of Gary is a master gardener who had apple, cherry and pear trees on the property of the house he shares with wife Judy.

“We got the house in 1972 and I had to get rid of the trees but I also grew greens and other vegetables. Three years ago I replanted apple trees. I’ve taken classes and do workshops. I suggest people take classes and do research on gardening because it is easy and relaxing and enjoyable,” he said.