Embedded Files
592 Puncatest Neck Rd, Tiverton, RI 02878
Movement Ground Farm:
For a volunteering opportunity through Asian Society, we visited the Movement Ground Farm in Rhode Island. Although not located in the Quincy area that our project focuses on, we thought this excursion would be a good opportunity to venture out of Quincy and explore Asian businesses elsewhere.
Emma and Jeremy pulling thistles out on the far left (Emma in the beige jacket, Jeremy in the black jacket)
The Movement Ground Farm was first established about two years ago by Kohei Ishihara, a Japanese American farmer. He currently serves as the executive director of the vision and works on various projects alongside a team of like-minded individuals. They deliver their produce using CSAs (Community Supported Agriculture), meaning those who become a member are purchasing a "share" of what is grown and raised on the farm. Each week, they send at least 5 vegetable items with one free item. They grow crops ranging from carrots to bok choy, as well as raise chickens and pigs for eggs or meat, respectively.
Group 3 moving rocks onto the loader to be moved onto the platform
Kohei shows us the pigs that were being raised for meat (the students named them Connie and Brownie).
The farm was right by the water, so there was a nice view of some marine life.
The farm makes money not only off selling their own produce but also by renting their land to others. For example, Kohei explained that a Native American group wanted to revive the prevalence of gourds, which once dried can be used for various purposes, including carrying water, holding food, etc. Kohei explained that the group would come in every now and then to grow the crops and ultimately distribute the now multiplied seeds across the country.
During the volunteer work, Kohei first showed us the greenhouses that cultivate the seeds. He then took us outdoors where we'd be working for the day, and divided us into three groups. The first group would pull out thistles (weeds that would out-compete the crops Kohei wanted to grow), the second moved mulch onto these massive tarps as a path, and the third collected rocks to be moved onto a platform. We were both in the first group pulling thistles out (they're really sharp, so we got pricked a few times).
Page updated
Report abuse