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GreenThumb Urban Gardener Profile #3: Carolyn McQueen & Jacquelyn Mealy

Our first joint garden profile participants, Carolyn and Jacquelyn, are sisters who founded F.A.R.R. Community Garden, which is located in Bedford–Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, along with their mother seven years ago. Their original goal when transforming a vacant lot into a garden was to grow their own food but not only did they become more self-reliant, they built a community. In this profile, find out how gardening can build strong communities and bring a family together. 

GreenThumb (GT): Why did you start urban gardening and how did you learn to garden successfully?

Carolyn McQueen (CM): Well, my sister Jackie, my mother and I started the garden together. Neither one of us had any gardening background but we saw a space and knew that we wanted to start a garden. So we went to a few GreenThumb workshops, learned from neighbors and took part in Green Guerilla classes. I wanted to start a garden because I loved the idea of growing my own vegetables.

GT: What is it like to garden with the family?

Jacquelyn Mealy (M): It’s a beautiful thing for one. We get each other motivated when we have new projects to do. We all join in together and participate in making funds to accommodate whatever activities we’re doing.

GT: Why do you think it’s important to learn how to grow your own vegetables?

CM: We wanted to be self-reliant and grow our own food that would be organic and local and healthy for us and the community to eat. We learned a lot throughout the process and different people came in and offered advice.

GT: How has GreenThumb helped your garden?

CM: GreenThumb has helped our garden by providing us with the tools and supplies we needed to grow our vegetables. The workshops also gave us the beginning knowledge we needed to actually start a garden and make it grow.

GT: What are your favorite memories in the garden?

CM: My favorite memories include having the children from the neighborhood school‘s daycare center come out and garden with us. I also remember the very fun Easter egg hunt and a Halloween event in the garden.

GT: What’s an effective way to involve children in the garden?

JM: Gardens should have at least one day every week focused on having children in the garden. Have them learn by doing and other fun art-based activities. We want to keep the community and the kids together. This space is not only for growing produce but also is a public space for all.

GT: What has gardening taught you about community and your connection to neighbors and other gardeners?

CM: While not everyone in the neighborhood wants to garden, many enjoy the gardening space. We enjoy having the neighbors come in and sit with us after we’re finished gardening and listening to their stories. Some of the older neighbors enjoy reminiscing about the days when they were gardening.

GT: What is the most challenging thing about gardening in New York City?

CM: It’s challenging to get other neighbors to help with the gardening. They sometimes just come in and watch but don’t help out with the work.

GT: What are your favorite vegetables to grow in the garden?

CM: Cucumbers and potatoes.

JM: Collard greens and cucumbers.

GT: Who inspires you?

CM: I’m very inspired by my family, especially my sister and my mother!

GT: Do you have any new ideas coming up this growing season?

JM: We want to do a Men’s cook-off. It would be a competition that would encourage more men to come into the garden and take part in the activities. We are also initiating a project in order to encourage recycling in the community.

GT: Do you have any advice for the next generation of gardeners?

CM: I have several suggestions for the next generation. First, have fun! Second, communicate why you are gardening to your neighbors and invite them early to all your events so they can make it. Third, keep an eye on your tools, especially your wrench for the Fire Hydrant.

JM: Start with the kids while they’re young and get them involved as much as possible. The youth have to know that it’s a beautiful thing to garden.