In spring of 2015, I began planting flowers on the street corner of my rental at E 41st and Cedar, Savannah, GA, where I overheard an argument between a small group of children that escalated into talk of gun usage.
The overwhelming prevalence of violence in the community prompted me to formulate a plan to provide these children with a positive experience on our street. In early March, I purchased supplies to create a flower bed on the street side of my rented house.
As I was working, a group of children asked all about what I was doing and if I thought they could have a job.
For weeks I built raised bed planters and planter boxes from reclaimed wood to grow more edible plants.
Three of the children showed an incredible interest in planting and building, and tremendous desire to learn. This led me to help them build their own planters, resulting in a sculptural planter system for growing herbs and germinating seeds.
Nearly a dozen children arrived at my door looking for a job. They were excited as we agreed I would get them more plants and teach them how to grow edible food.
All spring and summer these children dedicated their time to maintaining healthy plants. They shared the abundant fruits of their labor, over twenty varieties of edible fruits, vegetables, and herbs, with their friends and families.
The black and white photo series is shared, courtesy of Madison Elizabeth Gibbs' Cedar Street. Her support, talent, and dedication have been invaluable to the growth of this project.
