Interview with an Urban Ag High School Student

Jesse Kurtz-Nicholl’s Interview with Urban Ag High School Student, Ana Araujo

Center for Livable Future
Dec 18, 2009

Excerpt:

In October 2009, Jesse Kurtz-Nicholl sat down with Ana Araujo to discuss the Urban Agriculture and Food Systems class she participated in at Richmond High School in 2008/2009. The class was a pilot program, which gave the students graduation credit and was centered around the creation of a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) and direct sale of produce from a middle school farm and the school garden at Richmond High. 10 families received a bi-weekly box of produce for $5, which was planted, tended and grown completely by Richmond High students.

In addition to the garden, the students learned about the American food system, their local food shed and global issues surrounding food. The students joined working groups in their chosen area of focus to delve deeper into the project. Students presented their work to the City Council of Richmond as their final project.

What do you think were the best parts of the Urban Ag Class in general?

Answer:
In general, well, I really like the harvest day when we collected the food and we put it in boxes and weighed it. And I really like planting and like taking care of the garden in general. I’ve always liked that kind of stuff

Q: Why. Why do you like that stuff?

Answer:
It seems fun, putting plants, seeing them grow. You did that. You planted that. You saw it grow, you gave it water. You watched it grow. You did something for the community. And like it felt good.

See the rest of the interview here at the Center for Livable Future website.