This is Praise Harvest

Enjoy this video showcasing Praise Harvest, the urban farm managed by People of Praise members who live on the South Side of Evansville, IN.

Over the past several years, People of Praise members have been converting vacant city lots and their own backyards into gardens, with the aim of providing fresh food for their neighborhood. This year to date, the farm has grown over 6,000 lbs of produce. Among the harvest: garlic, onions, swiss chard, spinach, tomatoes, eggplant, carrots, green beans, black eyed peas, okra, sweet potatoes, cucumbers, watermelon, zinnias and, most beloved by the neighborhood, greens--collard, mustard and turnip.

Most of the yield goes to a farm stand that Praise Harvest runs every Saturday morning throughout the growing season, on the corner of one of their farm lots. There's no cost for the produce, though there's a suggested donation of $1/lb for people who can afford it. 

The farmers consult with their neighbors about food they’d like to see grown. Early on, there were resounding requests for greens, which continue to be by far the most popular item. “We regularly run out of greens,” says farm manager John Earhart. Last season, the farm grew 3800 lbs of greens alone. 

When the farm stand opens at 9am, there are typically 10 or 12 cars already lined up waiting. The team that sells the vegetables has developed a system that allows for social distancing and safe transactions.  But the farm stand has proven to be a gathering place for the neighborhood, especially during the pandemic. Neighbors come for fresh produce and stick around to visit and catch up. “I think people are really happy just to have an opportunity to be together,” says Nick Holovaty. 

To learn more about Praise Harvest visit https://www.facebook.com/praiseharvestfarm.