“We Grow Food and Give It 
to the Community for Free”

On a sunny December Saturday, this plot of green was buzzing with bees and human activity. Kids were helping assemble boxes for beehives. Nearby were parts that would turn into a chicken coop. Volunteers were working in rows of crops, harvesting cilantro and rainbow chard. From a neighboring apartment building, a young girl waved.

Jorge Palacios waved back. One of the founding members of Green Haven Project, he came to the privately owned space a few years ago when it was filled with mulch and a few grow bags from a previous urban farming project. Since then, he and founders Josh Placeres, aka Legacy, and T’Keyah Demot, have been working to fulfill their vision to grow food for people in need. At the moment, that food includes salad greens, eggplants, kale, nasturtiums, rainbow chard, bananas and moringa. “We’re having a successful season,” Palacios says. “The chicken coop is almost complete so we’ll be able to share fresh eggs.”

Each of the founders brings expertise to the space. For Placeres, it’s about building community and a safe space for anyone who shows up. “Everyone has something to bring to the table,” he says. “It’s a welcoming, family environment, a home away from home.” Older members of the community, some from the Caribbean, give the crew growing pointers – “they may have once had a farm, so it’s nostalgic for them,” he says. Neighborhood kids play and help, too.

T’Keyah Demot, a registered dietitian, gets her hands dirty on the farm, but behind the scenes, she works on funding, permits and partnerships. “Right now, we have a strong foundation and community,” she says. “We’re coming up on a year where we’re going to have bills to sustain this, so we’re grateful for hands-on help,” she says.   

Partners large and small show up for regular events to help. These include BankUnited, FIU Foundation and Food Rescue US South Florida, which collects extra food from events and grocery store partners to distribute for those in need. At a recent World Food Day celebration, Green Haven Project supplied food and groceries for more than 250 community residents. Compost for Life set up a compost station, chef Richard provided hot meals, a DJ kept the music going and Miami Heat mascot Burnie showed up for pictures.

“We keep positivity alive,” says Palacios. “People can come visit. We’re not just for Overtown!”