For Adam Martinez ’05, farming is more than just digging, mulching and planting. It can also be a political statement.
“People can be empowered by growing their own food,” Martinez said. “Opening your fridge is a political act.”
Every week, more than a dozen students work to cultivate Long Lane Farm, Wesleyan’s infant organic agriculture project. The philosophy behind this kind of project is that the farming both provides a practical solution to local hunger problems and a strong connection to the Wesleyan and Middletown communities at large.
The University purchased the lot, formerly a detention school, several years ago. Last spring, it allocated an acre of the land to be used as an organic farm. The farm, formally known as the Long Lane Farm and Garden Project, is the product of petitioning from the organic gardening club, based on Washington Street, and the WeSustainable agriculture group.
According to Grace Malinowski ’06, a regular at Long Lane, no farming experience is necessary to help with the project.
“Some of us have a little experience,” she said.
The project is student-initiated and student-run, and there are no formal leaders. Ten to fifteen people contribute three to five hours a week, but there is no minimum time commitment.
Organic farming is distinct from conventional methods in that it does not use chemicals or pesticides. The layout of the farm is also environmentally efficient; circular pathways ensure that gardeners can use as much soil as possible. Potatoes are grown in old tires. For some students, the appeal of working on an organic farm is fresh produce, like kale, carrots, tomatoes, squash and beans. For others it is the satisfaction of non-academic work.
“For some people it’s about having fresh veggies and getting out there and working,” Martinez said. “It’s hard work but it’s fun work.”
Even more than feeding its own, Long Lane Farm is also about giving back to the community. Most of the farm’s produce has been donated to the St. Vincent DePaul Soup Kitchen.
The student farmers said they view food as a political issue that combines issue of race and class-based access to food, the increasing corporate control over the food industry and the Wesleyan and Middletown communities at large.
“Food is politics,” Martinez said. “In Oakland there’s one grocery store. Otherwise people get their food in liquor stores. Food is a racist and classist issue. Who has access to healthy foods? Who’s growing the food?”
Lindsay, who spent the summer working at Long Lane, said that one of the most rewarding aspects of organic farming is her heightened awareness of the Middletown community.
“Working in a garden ties you to a certain place,” Lindsay said. “Specifically, we look to contribute to the community the food we produce. I have a different connection to Middletown.”
The students hope that the farm’s benefits will be long-lasting and widespread.
“We’re trying to make it a long-term thing that can be part of Wesleyan for a long time,” Martinez said.
“I would love to see it become a hot [summer] job, where people get to know people at the Soup Kitchen, at Stonehenge [the professional landscaping crew contracted by Wesleyan],” Lindsay said.
The group is currently working with Marcia Bromberg, Vice President for Finance and Administration, to negotiate a budget that will allow the farm to be a sustainable project.
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