Just as the work in the garden changes over the growing season, the majority of community gardens tend to have their own life cycle, where productivity and commitment changes as well. Over time, the specific group of folks that came together to garden & bask in the glory of their community greenspace may find themselves unable to care for the garden for a variety of reasons – whether it be a growing family, illness, death, or moving away. Of course, with one garden’s finish comes a new garden’s beginning. While the garden Reformation Angel is no more, we can introduce the Karma Community Garden taking its place at 2129 N. 35th St.
Who leads the garden?
Karma Community Garden is led by Detaya Johnson, a graduate of the University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee. She is an awarded presenter and researcher who has traveled internationally to present at conferences and universities. She has taught Water Quality and Introduction to Geology at the University of Milwaukee-Wisconsin. She has internship experience with The Racine Health Department and The United States Geological Survey. She worked closely with professors to help create a National Science Foundation grant to mentor students who expressed interest in STEM fields. She is an Executive Sales Manager and Project Manager for a commercial and residential landscaping company, All Season Lawn Care & Landscaping.
What is the mission of the garden?
The mission of Karma Community Garden is to provide an outdoor classroom where STEAM education is the focus, providing various career paths and resources in an outside environment. The primary mission of Karma Community Garden is to gather and organize the community while providing a space to demonstrate advanced vertical farming practices. Detaya's mission for the garden is to involve the Department of Children and Family Services and young single mothers in the Washington Park area. When you add diversity into STEAM fields, you heal the community while broadening the minds of the future.
What events will be happening at the garden?
Karma Community Garden plans to have an opening event on May 20th from 11am-2pm: highlighting diverse individuals from different universities and hosting an employment and resource fair in the main field.
Karma Community Community Garden May 20th Schedule:
Introduction
Food giveaway
Co-op sign-up
During the summer, Karma Community Garden will have job training, AODA classes, parenting classes, bike rides, yoga classes, camp giveaways, and educational events. The plan is to get as much free or subsidized programming as possible using grant funding to reduce the cost to the community. They plan to survey the community in mid-May to see what additional resources the community desires for that location.
If you’re interested in learning more or getting involved, you can reach Detaya at detayajohnson@gmail.com.
