Harvesting Hope: From Vacant Lots to Vibrant Farms

Henry Albanese is in his second year at Solidarity Urban Farms, where he serves as the Farm Organizer. Solidarity Urban Farms is a community organization and network that farms organically on seven vacant lots across the city of Lorain. Collectively, the network grows approximately 10,000 pounds of produce, a harvest it then shares with the community through various avenues, including farmers markets, weekly hot meal programs, and produce box distributions at the foodbank. Solidarity Urban Farms also engages the community to participate through weekly youth-focused cookouts, volunteer opportunities, workshops, internship and job training, and art and music programs.

In his role, Henry has worked to advance the growth of operations, provide labor management, and increase the organization’s community impact. This year of service, Henry has worked to expand Solidarity’s urban farm network to functionally manage more land through new local partnerships. He has also sought to establish the organization’s positive presence in the community by organizing activities for local youth.

One of Henry’s most significant accomplishments has been coordinating a joint operation with the Downtown Lorain Library to operate a permaculture garden, supplying produce for community meals at both the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer and the library’s culinary program. Henry has also established a partnership with a local girl scout troop to operate their own free-pick raised bed garden at the library. Through this opportunity, the troop has learned the basics of planting, garden maintenance, and building a beautiful local resource.

“The joy and challenge of building relationships with the local community and youth and becoming an active participant in their lives has been very rewarding,” says Henry. “What I will carry forward is a stronger ability to communicate and express the value of a project that builds a sense of wealth and joy through its activity.”

During his service, Henry has been grateful for the opportunity to observe his site’s commitment to benefiting its surroundings.

“Our farm operations strive to regenerate and heal the plots they sprout from and present healthy food as an outcome,” he says. “At the same time this regenerative spirit guides our community relations, and time and again we’re able to create a space of communion to shadow the stressors.”

For all of the joys of service, however, Henry has also observed the difficult realities experienced by a community strained by poverty. With many community members burdened by stressors, Henry often feels the limits of what Solidarity Urban Farms can provide. Nonetheless, he believes in the value of the work and even hopes to continue working at his site beyond his service year.

“I am happy to maintain a project that expresses the celebration of life as a core value,” he says. “Poverty diminishes our ability to celebrate our lives as grand expressions of deep communion and joy. It steals our time, and peace of mind from us. Our operation gives some of that time back.”

Thanks for your service, Henry!