Charlotte young urban farmers grow healthy community
The Males Place has evolved over the last several years to become a vibrant multicultural community that has mentored more than 3,000 youth, making their program one of the largest mentoring organizations in North Carolina.
By Kevin Campbell
WSOC-TV / Telemundo Charlotte
July 18, 2021
Excerpt:
When people think of a farm, they might picture a vast field and an old man in overalls plowing with his tractor.
And long before urban dwellers started seeding potted plants on their patio, people came together to plant hope in the ground.
Now, when life seems to be more stressful and uncertain than ever, a group of young men of The Males Place is bringing people closer together, even when distance has kept us apart.
“We want our young men to know the full body of work that encompasses getting food from the field to someone’s fork,” said Baba Reggie Singleton, founder and director of The Males Place.
If you’re not lucky enough to have a backyard garden, you’ll want to visit the Rosa Parks Famers Market, which brings fresh, affordable vegetables, fruits and other goods to the communities of Beatties Ford Road, the Historic West End and the Greater West Charlotte area.
“Our boys understand that food sovereignty and self-sufficiency is a part of service, and we want them to learn the full food system and not just mere consumption,” he said. “They should be full participants in the food system, growing their food, processing and getting the food ready for consumption.”
