Maya Angelou Charter School students volunteer at East Capitol Farm
On Friday, December 4, nearly 50 volunteers including students from the Maya Angelou Public Charter
School's Young Adult Learning Center (YALC), the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
(HUD), Groundwork Anacostia and UDC volunteered, continuing construction on and the beautification
of East Capitol Urban Farm. Volunteers learned about urban agriculture and green infrastructure under
the leadership of site managers Dr. Kamran Zendehdel and Harris Trobman, from the CAUSES Center for
Sustainable Development (CSD), and constructed 20 raised beds and planted the remaining shrubs and
trees.
A first time user, Kenyatta turned out to be a natural with the drill.
The mission of the Maya Angelou Public Charter School is to create learning communities in lower
income urban areas where all students, particularly those who have not succeeded in traditional
schools, can reach their potential and prepare for college, career, and a lifetime of success. The
following testimonials demonstrate the benefit of community service projects like East Capitol Urban
Farm:
Joshua, YALC student volunteer: "We've had some disagreements before, but we came together and
got over it when planting the tree. Today gave me the opportunity to talk to some of my schoolmates
who I normally don't talk to, which is a good thing. I also learned that cooperation is more likely with a
single goal. I think a lot of people will enjoy this and what we're doing here--making a difference."
Lorraine Richardson, Senior Regional Sustainability Coordinator, HUD: "It's awesome to expose these
students to the different potential career opportunities. With this exposure to the benefits of urban
farming, these students will be more aware of what's going on in their community, and will help spread
the word of what this is about. They'll drive by and see things that they planted growing and think about
doing this for their own homes."
HUD's Lorraine Richardson watches as Kamran Zendehdel shows a student how to sow seeds.
Che Axum, director, CAUSES Center for Sustainable Development: "This is a great opportunity for the
students to get a better understanding about the food system; how food is grown, transported and
prepared as well as understanding food systems from a scientific standpoint--the whole 360. This is the
past and the future."
Jessica Wynter-Martin, Ward 7 community volunteer: "I'm hopeful that this experience is meaningful
for students and will show them an easy, affordable way to bring food into their own homes. I hope this
will inspire schools to create programs on nutrition and home gardening."
Jessica Wynter-Martin (far right) directs students as they fill raised beds with soil.
Teresa Turner, CAUSES Center for Nutrition, Diet and Health: "This is a great cause--growing fresh food
in this kind of community. I hope the end result is that people take advantage of this farm. I hope to see
even younger kids to come and do this. It will bring more people to the field of agriculture."
Jaime Brown, Center for 4-H and Youth Development: "The students are doing an awesome job. They
are going to hopefully help once the aquaponics system is installed and ultimately will have a chance to
start their own businesses one day. We're going to teach them!"
"This isn't just a tree. This is our tree."
Additional photos are available on our Facebook page.
About the University of the District of Columbia
An HBCU, urban land-grant, and the only public university in the nation's capital, The University of the District of Columbia is committed to a broad mission of
education, research and community service. Established by abolitionist Myrtilla Miner in 1851, the University of DC offers Associate's, Bachelor's and Master's
Degrees and a host of workplace development services designed to create opportunities for student success. The University is comprised of the College of
Agriculture, Urban Sustainability and Environmental Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, School of Business and Public Administration, School of Engineering and
Applied Sciences, a Community College and the David A. Clarke School of Law. To learn more, visit www.udc.edu.The University of the District of Columbia is an
Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action institution. Minorities, women, veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. For a full version of the
University's EO Policy Statement, please visit: http://www.udc.edu/equal_opportunity.The University of the District of Columbia is accredited by the Middle States
Commission on Higher Education - 3624 Market Street - Philadelphia, PA 19104 - 267.284.5000.