Community Engagement
As a Cleveland-based organization, we strive to be active agents in our community through various projects involving urban farming, hydroponics, and greenscaping. Check out some of our work.
Vel’s Purple Oasis
Vel's Purple Oasis is a 1-acre urban farm on the east side of Cleveland, Ohio. As part of a nonprofit, the Oasis has grown produce for the surrounding community and greater Cleveland area for over 15 years.
The Oasis has experienced recent hardships brought on by the pandemic. We're working with Vel to help bring new life to the Oasis. Follow us on TikTok, where we document our work, and check out Vel's website to learn more about the Oasis and Vel's nonprofit: Vel Scott's Healthy You.
Urban Hydroponics
One project we're working on is building various hydroponic systems at the Purple Oasis in their high tunnel. So far, we've built an NFT hydroponic system for growing leafy greens and Kratky buckets for growing tomatoes, but there's more to come.
Establishing a hydroponic setup at the Purple Oasis is the first step in our endeavor to help other community organizations in the Cleveland area develop their own systems for growing food through alternative methods. Check out some of our hydroponic guides to learn more about building your own setup.
Community Rain Gardens
To support ecosystem restoration, we plan to help install community-supported rain gardens throughout Cleveland to reduce runoff and protect local watersheds. Rain gardens help filter debris and pollution from rainwater while also providing a habitat for pollinators and local wildlife. When planted with native plants, rain gardens offer a multi-faceted solution to combating ecosystem degradation and enhancing our urban environments.
