The Fruitful Field: Feeding and Teaching a Neighborhood
Behind a wall that keeps down the sounds of I-95 to a tolerable level is a seven-acre tract of land next to the Parkway United Methodist Church in Pompano Beach’s Tedder neighborhood. It’s a lush tropical patchwork that includes vegetable beds, fruit trees and natives, a community garden and an area to prepare CSA baskets.
The Fruitful Field’s mission is spiritual, seeking “God’s peace and wholeness by caring for the earth, sharing with those in need, and fostering spiritual health.” To do this, they offer CSA shares ($25-$40/week) called Buy/Give shares: when subscribers buy a subscription, it allows the group to give fresh vegetables to local families in need, area food pantries and soup kitchens. It also supports their youth intern program, GrowCity, which helps teens learn work and life skills. These real-life paid work opportunities attract youth from 14-18, primarily from impoverished neighborhoods in Deerfield Beach and Pompano Beach.
Garden manager Tracy Dillon oversees the farm, which grows a surprising variety of produce: tomatoes, beans, eggplant, turnips, radishes and leafy greens and herbs; and cut flowers and loofah. She also spends time in the off-season visiting other farms and attending conferences, researching ways the farm can increase their production.
Area resident Wis Fleuricin says he used to walk by the park in the mornings. Now he’s a volunteer who’s happy to pack up CSA shares.
The Fruitful Field
Parkway United Methodist Church, 100 NE 44 St., Pompano Beach
Throughout the year, the Fruitful Field hosts plant sales, open houses and volunteer work days and pop-up market days. Check their website for details.
