City Of West Palm Beach: City Of West Palm Beach, FAMU Announce Innovative Partnership To Create Agriculture Programs And Opportunities, ...

West Palm Beach FL

18 December, 2021

9:14 AM

Description

Press release from the City of West Palm Beach: 12/17/2021   WEST PALM BEACH, FLA (December 17, 2021) – In a landmark, first-of-its kind partnership in South Florida, the City of West Palm Beach and Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU), through its Cooperative Extension Program, have agreed to collaborate to create innovative agriculture opportunities, such as education, jobs, programs and activities, for residents of the City of West Palm Beach. Additionally, in support of these goals and to improve access to affordable, healthy food options, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, in neighborhoods absent of conveniently-located grocery stores ("food deserts"), the city and FAMU intend to create three community gardens at these locations: Coleman Park Community Center, 1116 21st Street Pleasant City – Gloria Y. Williams Multicultural Center, 2147 Spruce Avenue Phipps Park, 4715 South Dixie Highway Sustainable production practices will be among the agricultural teachings offered at the garden sites to not only provide food to residents but also to help them provide food for themselves. Residents will be able to go to the garden sites, receive training, and transfer their skills to their home sites. This will help ensure affordable sources of food in low-resource areas or neighborhoods with food deserts. The WPB/FAMU community garden initiative will also create two new job opportunities in the city: an extension agent and an extension program assistant. Within 90 days, staff will be hired. In 90-120 days, the gardens' infrastructure and layout will be designed and built. Within 180 days, the city and FAMU intend to launch community programs and activities. This press release was produced by the City of West Palm Beach. The views expressed here are the author's own.