High School Students To Spearhead Organic Farm

INDIANAPOLIS -- Community, education and healthier food choices are at the center of a new urban garden planned for Indianapolis' northeast side.

The Devington Green Acres Farm will occupy a 3.5-acre plot just east of Devington Shopping Center and Arlington High School, and will be the city's largest sustainable urban organic farm, organizers said.

More: Going Green Section

While the Devington Community Development Corporation will spearhead the project, high school students will help run the farm, using the garden as an outdoor learning lab.

"They'll be teaching them, at the school, agriculture science courses, everything from horticulture and nutrition to land management," said DCDC Deputy Director Naeemah Jackson. "The students will then have this as their actual hands-on laboratory, working the farm, and then they'll have a farmers market, too."

Students will get paid for their work, which could also end up in the school's cafeteria, and an FFA chapter will be established for interested students to learn more about agriculture.

Besides acting as an educational outlet, the garden will also bring a new source of local, fresh-grown food to the neighborhood.

"We have no health food store out here, no health clinic. It's not a desert of food, but there's not the culture of healthy, organic food," Jackson said. "This farm will provide people in this neighborhood fresh, organic produce, that's affordable."

Organizers said they are seeking financial donations, along with help from those with agriculture experience.

The plot is expected to be cleared in time for spring planting.

More Information: Devington Community Development Corporation