DELANY GROWS

Delany was once a busy town in the USA with a big factory, but then the factory closed and lots of people lost their jobs. Now, though, a great project is getting people involved in growing food. Walking around his neighborhood, Martin Davis admires the tall grass and flowers. “Look at that,” he says. “ Just like a country road!” 

Martín a project organiser, was the person who first got local people involved by planting vegetables in a news land near his home and encouraging others to pick them for no cost, fruit trees followed, then a community centre using empty buildings, giving local teenagers their own space. Now they enjoy movie nights along the crops, and everyone loves the fresh food in an area with a few supermarkets. As well as providing food, the project teaches children where it’s come from.

A lot of people thought there would be a problem with everyone helping themselves, taking too much, or damaging crops, but this hasn’t happened. The land is open to all and, while it’s hoped those eating the food will help out, there are a few rules. It has brought the community together, and some never expected to see teenagers having fun while working so hard. Many children generally won’t eat vegetables, but love eating the ones they’ve grown there.

Interestingly, over 200 years ago, Delany was a small town surrounded by fields. The area began as a small town surrounded by fields. The area began as farmland and it’s going back to that way of life, people say. Although Martin doesn’t call himself a leader, local people think he’s made a huge difference. He just did what he thought needed doing, and the benefits of his community organisation will be felt for years to come.