Desiree Desi K. Robinson of DeVyne Crown Farm
"I would love to see the wonderful entrepreneurship of women farmers be rewarded to a much greater degree."
Q: Tell us a little bit about your experience with farm to table food?
A: There's been a great farm to table movement. I've worked with farms like the Kingsborough Community College Urban Farm, who's distributed micro greens for sale to three local restaurants. Greens are a basic staple on many menus, but what I think is great about the farm to table concept is that it keeps a menu fresh and possibly exciting -- a dessert with ground cherries and edible flowers; a kohlrabi salad with multi-colored carrots. Personally, there's nothing like making a Caprese salad with fresh mozzarella I've brought home from Arthur Avenue in the Bronx's Little Italy and pairing it with tomatoes and basil that were snipped and freed just minutes before.
Q: What inspired you to grow your own food? How has farming played a role in your life and what is your favorite farm to table dish?
A: It's very easy to tell people they should be eating better. EVERYONE already knows that. The real conversation is "HOW does that fit in my life?" "How does that fit into my budget?" When farming found me, I became interested in talking about how we fit fresh produce into our budget and into our shopping schedule- if we only shop once or twice a month. How do we incorporate fresh produce into our lives culturally and still enjoy the things we like to eat? Supporting urban farms, particularly in food deserts that exist in NYC can help address so many of these issues and questions. As a urban diva farmer I want to make people excited, particularly young people in communities of color about putting their hands in the soil in the ground (or even a small pot on the stoop!) and knowing where their food comes from, sustainability, food justice, using farming to understand science, math, colors, trying new things, being physical, and enjoying friends and community in the sun and showers.
A: There's been a great farm to table movement. I've worked with farms like the Kingsborough Community College Urban Farm, who's distributed micro greens for sale to three local restaurants. Greens are a basic staple on many menus, but what I think is great about the farm to table concept is that it keeps a menu fresh and possibly exciting -- a dessert with ground cherries and edible flowers; a kohlrabi salad with multi-colored carrots. Personally, there's nothing like making a Caprese salad with fresh mozzarella I've brought home from Arthur Avenue in the Bronx's Little Italy and pairing it with tomatoes and basil that were snipped and freed just minutes before.
Q: What inspired you to grow your own food? How has farming played a role in your life and what is your favorite farm to table dish?
A: It's very easy to tell people they should be eating better. EVERYONE already knows that. The real conversation is "HOW does that fit in my life?" "How does that fit into my budget?" When farming found me, I became interested in talking about how we fit fresh produce into our budget and into our shopping schedule- if we only shop once or twice a month. How do we incorporate fresh produce into our lives culturally and still enjoy the things we like to eat? Supporting urban farms, particularly in food deserts that exist in NYC can help address so many of these issues and questions. As a urban diva farmer I want to make people excited, particularly young people in communities of color about putting their hands in the soil in the ground (or even a small pot on the stoop!) and knowing where their food comes from, sustainability, food justice, using farming to understand science, math, colors, trying new things, being physical, and enjoying friends and community in the sun and showers.
"When farming found me, I became interested in talking about how we fit fresh produce into our budget and into our shopping schedule."
I named my little urban plot in the back of my Queens home DeVyne Crown Farm. DeVyne: I'm a diva gardener (stylish and polished with boots and rake , Crown: I live in Corona which means crown in Spanish! DeVyne Crown Farm is unique in that it serves as a resource for my various projects as a journalist, educator, foodie, and food justice advocate. I've used my crop to facilitate my cooking program "What's Cookin' in the World, Miss Desi?" What's Cookin'© is an arts-based international cooking program (using maps, language, music and dance) to address the bevy of health issues plaguing today’s youth, including childhood obesity. What’s Cookin’© explores culinary cultural landscapes and fosters in students new cultural experiences while “pushing” their palates, offering them options for healthy eating. DeVyne Crown is a simple and humble urban farm, but I've been able to use basic ingredients like oregano, basil, mint, dill, tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, onions and chili peppers to transport students through simple world cuisine.
Q: Do you prefer growing your own garden or participating an a CSA? Why? What are the benefits of each?
A: I think there are definite benefits to both. A CSA supplements your regular grocery shopping; supporting community agriculture is vital for farmers; you're getting organic produce at a fare price; many take S.N.A.P; because you don't want produce to go to waste, it forces you do eat veggies EVERYDAY and you're often presented with odd and out-of-the-ordinary produce that you have to be creative with! I believe a couple of big challenges is that it does require a significant up-front payment to farmers to plan out their crops, which can be hard if you're on a restricted budget; and because distribution is usually just once a week at a particular time, it can be hard to make it there for pick up if you have an irregular school or work schedule. Growing your own food is hard work. It requires steady and regular dedication. Benefits are well worth the work, though. You're contributing to the sustainability of the environment, it's a spiritual, calming and cathartic experience and you get tomatoes!
Q: I understand you have taught as a Veggie Educator at Just Food. Tell us a little bit about Just Food and the community program. Also, what is the greatest lesson your students were taught?
A: Part of the food justice organization Just Food, the Local Produce Link program, provided education to food pantries and other emergency food programs. Fresh, nutritious, locally-grown food was made available to families and individuals paired with their non-perishable pantry items. I performed cooking demonstrations using the fresh produce distributed for the day at Center of Hope International food pantry in Long Island City. I offered families and children food education with innovative recipes and samples of delicious and fresh food from a supporting farm. I was able to convert "non-believers" and "veggie-resistant" children to TRY and EMBRACE fresh veggies!
Q: How do you think farming influences women and the way we cook?
A: I believe women are healers. Mother Earth provides every single thing we need -- in the food, flowers, nectar and weeds. It's all there and we've been using it for centuries, making meals, medicine and potions for beauty and healing. I sometimes feel like a beautiful witch stewin' up a brew when I cook. Cooking with what you grow is a blessing.
Q: Do you prefer growing your own garden or participating an a CSA? Why? What are the benefits of each?
A: I think there are definite benefits to both. A CSA supplements your regular grocery shopping; supporting community agriculture is vital for farmers; you're getting organic produce at a fare price; many take S.N.A.P; because you don't want produce to go to waste, it forces you do eat veggies EVERYDAY and you're often presented with odd and out-of-the-ordinary produce that you have to be creative with! I believe a couple of big challenges is that it does require a significant up-front payment to farmers to plan out their crops, which can be hard if you're on a restricted budget; and because distribution is usually just once a week at a particular time, it can be hard to make it there for pick up if you have an irregular school or work schedule. Growing your own food is hard work. It requires steady and regular dedication. Benefits are well worth the work, though. You're contributing to the sustainability of the environment, it's a spiritual, calming and cathartic experience and you get tomatoes!
Q: I understand you have taught as a Veggie Educator at Just Food. Tell us a little bit about Just Food and the community program. Also, what is the greatest lesson your students were taught?
A: Part of the food justice organization Just Food, the Local Produce Link program, provided education to food pantries and other emergency food programs. Fresh, nutritious, locally-grown food was made available to families and individuals paired with their non-perishable pantry items. I performed cooking demonstrations using the fresh produce distributed for the day at Center of Hope International food pantry in Long Island City. I offered families and children food education with innovative recipes and samples of delicious and fresh food from a supporting farm. I was able to convert "non-believers" and "veggie-resistant" children to TRY and EMBRACE fresh veggies!
Q: How do you think farming influences women and the way we cook?
A: I believe women are healers. Mother Earth provides every single thing we need -- in the food, flowers, nectar and weeds. It's all there and we've been using it for centuries, making meals, medicine and potions for beauty and healing. I sometimes feel like a beautiful witch stewin' up a brew when I cook. Cooking with what you grow is a blessing.
"My favorite things to grow are purple veggies! Eggplant, tomatoes, peppers, carrots, kale, cabbage -- all come in purple!"
Q: Lastly, do you have any tips for getting started in farming? What is your favorite food to grow?
A: All the information we need to grow food is in books, on the Internet, and through the human resources of urban farmers across the city and state. Urban farming is growing exponentially and local small urban farmers and rooftop farmers are growing, harvesting and exchanging vegetables, flowers, fruit, eggs and honey and artisanal foods like jams, relishes, wine and baked goods. You can find great satisfaction in growing herbs and tomatoes in a pot right in the sunniest spot of your home or apartment. I love seeing the colors of growing food. My favorite things to grow are purple veggies! -- eggplant, tomatoes, peppers, carrots, kale, cabbage -- all come in purple!
Q: Do you think farming your own food is difficult in the city? What are some great ways to grow food in an apartment? And do you think country girls or city girls have a better green thumb?
A: There are always challenges with farming even with the most experienced folks. Challenges with weather, aphids eating your greens, or bacteria rotting your roots can happen to anyone. I believe that with good soil and regular water and care, anyone can bring a seed to fruition and be proud.
Q: What would you like to see next for female farmers and the farmer’s market movement?
A: I would love to see the wonderful entrepreneurship of women farmers be rewarded to a much greater degree. There is a great deal of unpaid skilled labor and passion in the urban farming game. So much of this work is done to effect change in undeserved communities where there are food deserts, obesity and preventable diseases like Type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure. Urban farming has also served to fill in the gaps in communities void of recreational centers. I'd love to see many more resources, subsidies and legislative resources directed to and dedicated to sustaining the work for women in farming.
A: All the information we need to grow food is in books, on the Internet, and through the human resources of urban farmers across the city and state. Urban farming is growing exponentially and local small urban farmers and rooftop farmers are growing, harvesting and exchanging vegetables, flowers, fruit, eggs and honey and artisanal foods like jams, relishes, wine and baked goods. You can find great satisfaction in growing herbs and tomatoes in a pot right in the sunniest spot of your home or apartment. I love seeing the colors of growing food. My favorite things to grow are purple veggies! -- eggplant, tomatoes, peppers, carrots, kale, cabbage -- all come in purple!
Q: Do you think farming your own food is difficult in the city? What are some great ways to grow food in an apartment? And do you think country girls or city girls have a better green thumb?
A: There are always challenges with farming even with the most experienced folks. Challenges with weather, aphids eating your greens, or bacteria rotting your roots can happen to anyone. I believe that with good soil and regular water and care, anyone can bring a seed to fruition and be proud.
Q: What would you like to see next for female farmers and the farmer’s market movement?
A: I would love to see the wonderful entrepreneurship of women farmers be rewarded to a much greater degree. There is a great deal of unpaid skilled labor and passion in the urban farming game. So much of this work is done to effect change in undeserved communities where there are food deserts, obesity and preventable diseases like Type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure. Urban farming has also served to fill in the gaps in communities void of recreational centers. I'd love to see many more resources, subsidies and legislative resources directed to and dedicated to sustaining the work for women in farming.
"It's a spiritual, calming and cathartic experience and you get tomatoes!"
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