I went to Eastie Farm on a field trip on February 10th, and this farm is located near Boston Logan airport.
This farm puts worth on helping poverty and protecting nature, and they believe food connects the whole eco-system, so they provide food to local people that are made by natural resources, such as rainwater to grow food, and the foods are also raised by compost with food scraps. Their farm is open, which means no ceiling and walls, so it can be said that people can stop by the farm easily and feel more natural. In addition, their foods are not transported far distant like other supermarket’s products, so foods’ freshness will not be lost while gas emissions can be reduced. Eastie Farm also conducts education and volunteer programs for children and neighbors, and it allows people to get a job or not suffer from poverty anymore. Being familiar with farms and the environment can prevent a city from polluting by overpopulation and harmful exhaust gas.
As I mentioned above, Eastie Farm has opportunities for people to learn about urban farms and eco-system, and anyone can participate in their activities, so I thought it is good for eradicating unequal education. Besides, I asked two staff at this farm about education as my research topic. First, I asked about what is needed for students to learn this farm, and the staff answered that having fun is essential to children. Thus, they try to introduce drawing and planting time in their activities. It also connects to my second question, which is what keeping in mind when teaching about this farm, and he answered that making the programs enjoyable is the most important. I feel their education way that learning something practically is necessary for some children in poverty areas who are illiterate, and this method is be easily memorized.
After, I went there, I came up with one question, and that is if everyone starts to have their own gardening to eat food, how much gas emissions, food waste, and packages will be decreased.
Eastie Farm is available for anyone who is interested in urban farms, environmental issues, or just eating, and their farm is very open so people can visit them comfortably.
Reira Kataoka