Hi, My name is Ya Queera I am 14. Everyone calls me Ya-Ya! This is me holding one of our first watermelon. I really like this picture because I am in it, I actually sheet mulched the bed that this watermelon is planted on, and I LOVE WATERMELON!!! I am a freshman at SMSA (Sport & Medical Sciences Academy). Angel and Precious took this picture of me. As you can see I am in my pajamas because it was chilly this morning and I just woke up and came to GROW. Ya Queera A.K.A. Keera B.K.A. Ya-Ya That's all folks...3....2....1.... Our first watermelon!

Guess what? Weeding time!

Hey this is me Angel who been weeding since the program started I don't like weeding but I offer so that was my job for 45min I weeded the weeds that were growing between the bed of collard and chard. While we were weeding, Rickyon and I saw a rat. After everybody was done with their job except me then they started helping me weed. Then we all saw a red tail hawk.

shucking corn at Foodshare

Sorting corn at Foodshare Foodshare is a place that feeds the hungry. They give food to the people that need it very much. They load up trucks and they go to different places. The people who need the food come out with bags and pick up their own food. They get food to different places and some foods get donated from different organizations and farms. I think that Foodshare is really great for the community and the people that are hungry. I think that the people at Foodshare volunteer because they have nothing to and they want to use their time wisely and some just want to help those in need of food. I will probably do it next year again. –rickyon smith

Talking with David Yandow from Fowler Co. at the Regional Market

Taking a tour  

Look at those beautiful vegetables... 

Ya-Ya's Input on the LSFM

What’s happening lately people? Me nothing, but exploring some new parts of the Laurel street Farmers Market! Did you miss me? It’s me the one and only, member of the Grow Hartford Youth Group, Ya-Ya and I am here to tell you about the LSFM website. This web site is very informative, but very dull! I learned a lot from it, but it was boring and it didn’t catch my attention. The mission of The Laurel Street Farmers Market is: To foster a community farmers market that attracts and reflects diversity and enthusiasm of a healthy Hartford by providing a diverse array of vegetables, herbs, and value-added products to fill Hartford's need for fresh, local, culturally diverse foods. To provide healthy food to educate and empower a healthy community. To provide local farmers, growers, and value-added producers with a direct marketing opportunity. To provide a community gathering place and forum for sharing arts and information. WOW! This is amazing and true, I know because I work at the market and we do exactly what the mission says. Not just the Grow Stand, but the rest of the farmers or gardeners too! The website gives a lot of helpful information to people that don’t have flyers or that don’t know about the only Saturday Farmers Market in Hartford. I think the website could be improved by adding more excitement. Like if we were to add some of the pictures we take at the market or some bright colors.