Nonpro t
BY MELISSA ENAJE
Blackwood Skyfarm connects nature to incarcerated youth
Cath Conlon carted trays of vegetables through the elevators at a multiuse development in the heart of Downtown Houston. The president and CEO of the nonpro t Blackwood Educational Land Institute was bringing fresh crops to one of biggest urban rooftop farms in Texas, Blackwood Skyfarm. Located at POST Houston, the farm’s mission is to build community around food, reduce its carbon footprint and create healthier outcomes for the city. The details In June, Blackwood piloted an eight-week program to provide urban agricultural education to residents in juvenile detention facilities. Each youth has their 8-by-10 cell in a unit of 15 cells. Whether it was discussing the historical
August Stubler was rst introduced to Blackwood farm and its educational opportunities as a youth at the farm’s Hempstead location. Now as an adult with a master’s degree in sustainable food systems, he brings his knowledge as a full-time farmer.
PHOTOS BY MELISSA ENAJE COMMUNITY IMPACT
relationship between food and humans, racial injustice or food production, Conlon said the youth asked intelligent questions. “They’re very young, pliable brains. There’s so much room to help mold them into being the best person that they can be, if they want to be,” Conlon said. Lead farmer Aaron Flores said they plan for the program to return in the spring.
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