Now, the nonprofit is asking for a long-term commitment from the city so that it can continue to grow and plant roots in the Broderick and Bryte communities.
There is a seed of hope planted with each harvest.
"One of my beliefs as a native First Nations person is that our wealth is not determined by how much we have, it's by how much we give away," said Melbourne. Three Sisters currently operates four community gardens in West Sacramento. The goal is to one day have 50. Their main location and hub is located on the corner of 5th and C streets. The garden employs young farmhands in order to support the youth in Yolo County and hopefully create future farmers.
The most important lesson taught at the gardens is how to be a good neighbor. Melbourne says 90% of what is grown on their urban farms gets delivered to 65 households for community members who don't have access to fresh produce and vegetables. "Our wealth is not determined by how much we have, it's by how much we give away," said Melbourne. They grow about 40,000 pounds a year of fresh, seasonal vegetables. But for the growers, now comes growing pains.
"As we went to the planning department here in West Sacramento, we were stalled. Because with the month-to-month lease, we couldn't get a permit to put a permanent building here," said Melbourne.
They appreciate what the city has done for them, but are now circulating a petition online to try and gather support for a five-to-10-year lease. Melbourne and supporters spoke in public comment at a West Sacramento City Council meeting in September and again this Wednesday, Dec. 3.
"We have brought in hundreds of thousands of dollars of grant money. We pay up to ten youth $18 an hour, some get up to $21 an hour. We're investing into our youth. We want the city the county to also invest into our youth and really support our movement, which is growing a revolution, rebuilding urban soil, one lot at a time," Melbourne said. After Wednesday night's city council meeting, Melbourne told CBS Sacramento he got a call from Councilwoman Norma Alcala.
According to Melbourne, Alcala said she has now requested the city put the topic of a lease amendment on its agenda for next month.
Hence then, the article about three sisters gardens petitions for long term future in west sacramento was published today ( ) and is available on CBS sacramento ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Three Sisters Gardens petitions for long-term future in West Sacramento )
Also on site :