PEORIA MAGAZINE May 2022

Budded Mattah organizer, Ryan Foster Photo by Ron Johnson

As fast as Budded Mattah is growing, Foster noted that organizers are using what is already available. “We believe everything is here. We need to connect the pieces.” Thismeans relying onDetroit’s proven gardening techniques, but also on building relationshipswith other groups inPeoria. Theorganizationhas apolicyof workingwith nonprofits, educators and other local groups to increase the value of available offerings. BuddedMattah is based on the belief that collaboration should be cultivated and incentivized so that everyone benefits. There are more than a few examples of this policy already at work. A local community center started a children’s gardening program to teach young gardeners at Harrison Homes. A state university has been tapped to offer a certificate program for urban gardeners, with Budded Mattah finding grants to help pay for the certifications. Local nonprofits and churches have provided land and business development training to residents, while area food banks and soup kitchens are benefiting from produce grown in Budded Mattah’s display garden.

empowering. People and communities grow along with the plants. “Gardening is just a vehicle. The most important part is building hope,” he said. “Relationships aremore important than gardening in our eyes.” That viewpoint is backed by research. Studies have found that communal gardening offers residents a sense of ownership in their community. They can feel pride in beautifying the area while also helping their family and neighbors. The garden itself is a place for people to meet and interact, strengthening budding relationships. Crime rates dip in places where urban agriculture flourishes, in part because growing, harvesting, and sharing food are social activities. The bonds formed while working the land cut through the hopelessness that comes with poverty and food scarcity. Gardening also involves mental, phys ical and creative work that builds indi vidual skills. It takes long-termplanning to turn over a garden so that limited space is constantly in use. On top of the agricultural learning, there’s a finan cial literacy component. Residents can progress from tending small gardens as a food source to harvesting excess crops as an income stream. The project is focused on changing lives.

“Our long-term goals are extremely big,” said Foster. They include a pro duce delivery operation, the creation of canned goods such as gourmet pickles for local stores and restaurants, and expanded teaching programs to incor porate classes on edible yards, native pollinators, and perhaps beekeeping. They are looking into grants for hydro ponic planting and year-round gardens.

THEY CAN FEEL PRIDE IN BEAUTIFYING THE AREA WHILE ALSO HELPING THEIR FAMILY AND NEIGHBORS

A vision is important, but Foster is well aware that sustainable growth is a step-by-step process. “We’re trying to add on a little each year. We started early this winter with plants inmilk jugs. Broccoli and collards were in the hoop houses. The plan is to double garden space this year.” To learnmoreaboutBuddedMattahand its efforts, visitwww.buddedmattah.com.

Laurie Pillman is an author and freelance writer/ editor, based in Peoria

MAY 2022 P EORIA MAGAZINE 19