Viking Community Garden
Joseph Borrell - TFA ‘19
Miami Norland Senior High School
About Me
Joseph Borrell
Miami Norland Senior High School
10th Grade Biology Teacher
Teach for America 2019 Corps Member
Columbia University - Class of 2019
BA in Biological Sciences
Incoming Medical Student at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
Passions include: Environmental Sustainability, Medicine, Social Justice, Rock Climbing and Community Service
In December 2020, we began a community garden at Miami Norland Senior High School through a partnership with Miami nonprofit Health in the Hood.
Since our start in December, we have hosted a multitude of community service events with students where they help us maintain the garden, plant vegetables and fruits, and harvest produce.
We have been able to send fresh produce home with 30+ families!
Project Overview
A Miami-based non-profit organization that connects communities to wellness through urban vegetable gardens.
@healthinthehood
My Coalition of Stakeholders
Teach for America ‘15
Head of Art Department
Ms. Ester Paulino
Mr. Oscar Flores
Dr. Precious Symonette
Teach for America ‘12
Science National Honor Society Sponsor
MDCPS Teacher of the Year 2017
Creative Writing Teacher
Teach Strong Alumnus
Why start a community garden?
What is average poverty rate in the United States?
As of 2019, 10.5% of the United States lives in Poverty. (census.gov)
According to the United Nations, poverty and hunger are closely linked - those who live in poverty are likely to suffer from hunger or malnutrition.
21% of the Miami Gardens community lives in poverty which consequently leads to high rates of food insecurity. (census.gov)
Food Insecurity and Education
Contributes to bodily stress.
Can lead to malnutrition.
People spend their mental reserves on resources that they lack.
Families often work to keep their food insecurity hidden.
Food Insecurity is frequently stigmatized.
Purpose and Aim
01
02
03
Combat Food Insecurity
Teach environmentally sustainable practices to the school community
Create COVID-safe community service opportunities for students
3 MAIN PURPOSES
OUTCOMES
Because of our Viking Community Garden, we have:
STRATEGY AND APPROACH
TIMELINE OF THE PROJECT
October 2020 - November 2020
Planning, Networking, Finding Funding
December 2020 - April 2021
Consistent Community Service events on Thursdays and Saturdays.
December 2020
Project Start
First Event
April 22, 2021
School-wide Earth Day Event
Ongoing
Continued community service
FIRST EVENT
OBSTACLES
Major Obstacle → Funding
At first, it was extremely difficult to fund our projects on DonorsChoose.
Our initial budget was $685.
In the time we were waiting for our DonorsChoose project to get funded, a teacher at our school leveraged a connection she had with Health in the Hood and everything fell into place.
FINAL OUTCOMES
We were able to host a school-wide Earth Day event to teach students about environmentally-sustainable practices.
The Viking Garden continues to expand and provide for the community.
With continuous harvesting, we are able to send home fresh produce with many of the students nearly every week.
QUESTIONS?
Email: josephaborrell@gmail.com