The Story of Mott Haven EATS @UHHS

This Project EATS site was built on top of an asphalt space on the campus of University Heights High School in the Mott Haven community of the Bronx.

Winter/Spring 2011

Prior to launching the site, EATS Farmers designed and worked with UHHS students to built a bio-pad of wood chips to prevent toxins in the asphalt from leeching into raised beds where food would be grown.  They then built beds on top of the bio-pad in preparation for the site's launch.

Mott Haven EATS @UHHS was launched on April 14, 2011 when UHHS students, staff from partnering organizations, and employee volunteers from the Denihan Hospitality Group (DHG) filled the beds and prepared them for seeding.  DHG provided funds for the lumber and materials to start the site through a contribution to Good Shepherd Services.

Spring/Summer 2011

UHHS students apprenticed twice a week with EATS Farmers through June, learning the basics of soil preparation, transplanting, seeding, watering, and harvesting.

Three UHHS students were selected to work as 2011 Project EATS Summer Fellows.  They worked with Project EATS Farmers at UHHS and at other Project EATS sites. They also worked at 2 weekly Project EATS community markets. Now all three Fellows possess the skills and experience to co-facilitate workshops with EATS Farmers and provide demonstrations and support to students who participate in Project EATS this fall.

Fall/Winter 2011

Project EATS staff is working to identifying space near the school that can be developed into a 2nd farm site during winter/spring 2012.   Expansion beyond the UHHS campus will allow more UHHS students, who want to participate in Project EATS, to be involved. It will also provide the space necessary for UHHS and Mott Haven residents to build a viable farm and food enterprise for their community.

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