Urban Agriculture Featured in New Heifer International Documentary

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Heifer International, the world hunger organization, announces a new 42-minute video documentary on urban agriculture, “Seeds, Hope & Concrete,” premiering Friday, May 13 (2005), in Chicago. The video, directed by Will Hommeyer of Blue Moon Productions, shows how inner-city youths learning to grow vegetables in urban garden projects contribute to building community while learning vital life skills. “Seeds, Hope & Concrete” features Heifer-supported urban agriculture projects in Brooklyn, Chicago, Little Rock, Toronto and Wisconsin.

Featured in the film:

• Will Allen of Milwaukee, WI, with Growing Power, Inc., a Heifer  supported "umbrella" project.

• Ian Marvy of Added Value, urban garden project, Brooklyn, N.Y.
• Jose Felix, a youth participant who is a current board member of Added Value in Brooklyn, N.Y.
• Directors and youth leaders of featured urban agriculture and immigrant farmer projects

From rooftops to vacant lots, Heifer International’s Urban Agriculture program is growing goodness, changing lives and building communities in the heart of North America’s big cities. Heifer supports grassroots organizations that help communities reclaim and support local food systems.

Inner-city youth learn entrepreneurial skills and the value of healthy eating by planting vegetables, growing flowers, and selling produce to local markets. Immigrants share community gardens and their indigenous agricultural practices, which builds bridges between cultures.  Disabled citizens use therapeutic gardening to reconnect with the earth and their communities.

Alison Mears-Cohen, director of Heifer’s Northeast Programs, was a key leader of Heifer’s original urban projects in Chicago. She and Eileen Dolbeare, Heifer’s New Media director, were the producers for the new video.

“Seeds, Hope & Concrete” is dedicated to Javon Duane Tucker
April 16, 1986 – September 29, 2003
Javon was a Growing Power youth corps member who was tragically shot and killed.

DVD of “Seeds, Hope & Concrete” available by calling 800-696-1918
(Includes 14-minute and 44-minute versions)

Since 1944, Heifer International has provided struggling families a way to become self-reliant for food and income.  Through the gift of livestock and training, a family can obtain milk, eggs, wool and other income-producing benefits to feed, clothe and educate their children.  Each gift multiplies because every family that receives a Heifer animal promises to "pass on the gift" by giving one or more of their animal's offspring to another family in need.  Heifer International currently supports projects in more than 50 countries, including the United States, that create sustainable small-scale farm enterprises to improve nutrition and increase family income.  Local community groups conceive and manage Heifer International projects, empowering them to solve their own problems and equipping the next generation to face challenges successfully.  For more information about Heifer International, please call (800) 696-1918.