I’m very excited about the We Are the World Blogfest #WATWB, and I want to thank Damyanti Biswas for inviting me to participate.
For the blogfest, in light of all the tragic, political, warring news we typically hear from around the world, Damyanti asked us to highlight a news story that “shows love, humanity, and brotherhood.”
The blogfest will take place the last day of each month now through the end of the year.
This week, I chose to highlight this article about David Young of New Orleans and the organization he founded: Capstone Community Gardens. He started the project to provide food for the low-income residents of the Ninth Ward, a predominately African-American district in New Orleans that still—after almost twelve years—hasn’t recovered from Hurricane Katrina.
Besides the gardens that are planted in 30 abandoned lots around the district, the Gardens have grown to include goats, chickens, and honeybees, which were due for extermination.
I love this ecosystem Young has created: volunteers to run the Gardens, weeds in abandoned lots “mowed” by goats, chickens laying eggs for the residents, and pollination and honey from the bees.
Please visit these other blogs for more good news, and let me know of any that you may have!
Belinda Witzenhausen Lynn Hallbrooks Simon Falk Sylvia McGrath Damyanti Biswas
Linda Covella, Author 
I was wondering if residents made good use of the garden produce, but volunteers harvest and deliver, too. How wonderful! I love urban gardening.
I do, too. We have one in our neighborhood, though I do my own gardening. But it’s such a great thing. thanks, Jen!
It sounds like a wonderful initiative, a much-needed eco-friendly food supply system.
Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for reading and commenting!
Linda, this wonderful. What a source of new life on so many levels! Outside the USA we barely hear of the rebuilding post hurricane Katrina. It is heartening to know that someone is still keeping watch and, literally, helping to grow a new future. Thank you for sharing and joining our Blogfest Simon’s Still Stanza #WATWB
Thank you, Simon! I love reading all of the blogs and the inspiring stories. And the #WATWB gave me the incentive to discover this one about the Capstone Community Gardens. And thanks for inviting me to join this wonderful blogfest!!
The gardens are a great idea, must be such pretty places for people and animals alike. And goats and chickens can be fun to keep. I had them once 😀
Thank you so much! Team #WATWB
*Inderpreet/EloquentArticulation*
Thanks for reading and for your comment, Inderpreet! I enjoyed your blog, too. Thanks for posting the link!
Linda, thanks so much for sharing the story of David Young and Capstone and participating in #WATWB. If I lived in New Orleans, I’d be there in a heartbeat to help. David has “loving others” in his heart, by helping those most in need. He is an amazing man!
Thank you, bikerchick! David is truly amazing. So encouraging there are people like that in this world.
It’s not only great to see someone reaching out and helping others like this, but also doing it through urban gardening. There’s so much wasted space in cities that could go to raising food!
Exactly, Eric. Many people in cities (and some restaurants) have roof gardens. It’s such a great idea. But also, this man is very special! Thanks for reading and for your comment!
Wow, what a neat idea you shared 🙂 I love this blog fest, and I can’t wait to take part in it as well.
The blog fest is such a great idea. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to post the last two months and need to get back on board! Thank you, E. Elayne. I’ll look for your blog post, too! 🙂
Hi Linda, just going through the #WATWB list and notice you’re not posting? Hope all well –
I’ve had some personal problems and a move. All is well. I hope to post again this month. Thanks for checking, Susan!