A Growing Revolution

By Kymisha Montgomery, CGC Urban Agriculture Coordinator

To many, urban agriculture may seem trendy, and sometimes that can be the case. But for some, growing food in an urban space is not a lifestyle choice. It’s an act of resistance, reclamation, and remembrance.

When I tell people I provide education on how to grow food, they always ask “Where?” Confused, they look around at the busy streets and concrete beneath our feet. I answer: “Everywhere!”

My relationship with agriculture is a complicated one. It’s speckled with a brawling yet sweet love that has managed to heal hidden wounds while allowing me to reclaim my power as a human. Every seed I grow is a proof of concept that I, too, am dynamic. My yearning to put my hands in the soil, to cultivate it, is my way of preserving archives of my heritage, like heirloom seeds passed down through generations.

There’s a deeper layer of why this matter to me now. There’s no longer a resistance but a resilience and a heartfelt eagerness for soothing relationships with growing food—bridging generational gaps so that stories of cultivation aren’t left unheard, methods aren’t left unused, and seeds aren’t left unsown.

 A growing revolution!