What was the a-ha moment that made you decide to become involved with New Haven Farms?
I moved to New Haven for the opportunity to work with New Haven Farms. I had completed two seasons of farming in New England, on two different but both rural organic farm operations. I wanted to try living in a city and work with an organization that grew and distributed healthy food to families in need. I looked into organizations all over the country involved in urban agriculture. I was impressed with the ingenuity of New Haven Farms, the fact that they were working directly with a health clinic to work with families struggling with chronic diet related illness. I was impressed by the holistic approach that New Haven Farms takes, to work with whole families educating them surrounding cooking, nutrition, gardening, and exercise as to effect long term lifestyle change. I was excited by the prospect of working in a diverse and primarily Hispanic community, giving me the opportunity to use my Spanish language skills. 

What is the impact of organizations like New Haven Farms? 
The impact of New Haven Farms reaches well beyond the families we work directly with in our Farm Based Wellness Program (FBWP)and other health based programming. Our urban garden spaces boost community connections, serving as a place for neighbors to interact, they reduce crime with the cleaning up of vacant lots previously used for dumping and other negative activities; our neighborhood gardens have become beacons for health, connectivity and production. We have seen tremendously positive impacts to the families we work with directly in our health programming. In 2016 84% of our FBWP participants lost weight during the 16 week program. Families report feeling healthier and reported an improvement in their mental health status. We have had numerous individuals get off of their diabetes medications due to the lifestyle changes they made as a result of their involvement with New Haven Farms. We now have 45 families successfully growing their own food in our community garden, truly working to take their health into their own hands. 

How does social justice and environmental justice intersect?
Social justice and environmental justice are inextricably connected. The United Nations defines Social Justice as the fair and compassionate distribution of the fruits of economic growth. They further qualify this statement by adding: it is also essential to ensure that growth is sustainable, that the integrity of the natural environment is respected, that the use of non-renewable resources is rationalized, and that future generations are able to enjoy a beautiful and hospitable earth. The concept of social justice must integrate these dimensions, starting with the right of all human beings to benefit from a safe and pleasant environment. 

The work we do at New Haven Farms address both social and environmental justice. Access to healthy food is something all people deserve. The epidemic of chronic diet related disease dis-proportionally impacts low income people and people of color in this country, making food security a social justice issue. Few acts are as closely tied to the environment as food production. By ensuring ecologically responsible methods are used for food production, one addresses both environmental health and human health, (with regards to the humans involved in production as well as consumption), you are engaging in an act that promotes social justice as well as environmental justice. It is exciting to work in a field that can have such deep and long lasting impacts to equally address social and environmental justice.     

How can an individual be an agent of change in their community?
I am a big fan of the slogan, "Think globally, act locally." We as citizens of the globe must think about how our actions impact the planet, yet focusing on large scale can be daunting and intangible. Making change in your family, on your block, or in your town or state is a much more attainable goal. To be an agent of change you must step into the community and identify the needs you and your neighbors find to be most pressing. Identify any issue you feel passionate about, without passion your efforts will surely fizzle. Take steps to join a group that does work you admire or if this isn't available in your community, start a project of your own. Knowing your community is the first part to be an agent of change as relationships form the basis of all change and community action. Go to community meetings, meet your local representatives, get involved in your neighborhood block watch, take a step to be known, take a step to affect change. 

Where are you from?
I'm from Connecticut. I grew up in the Danbury area. I went to college in Vermont and farmed in Maine for a year. I feel deeply connected to New England and feel privileged to be able to work in my home state, on a project in which I am able to see the tangible benefits to my community. 

Hear Jacqueline speak at the Portland RootSkills In-Person Training!