Nat Turner arrived in the Lower 9th Ward from New York with $12 and a vision. His dream was to start an alternative high school in the still ravished Blair Grocery building. Now, thanks to a small but dedicated staff and hundreds of volunteers, school is in session.
Our School at Blair Grocery operates an urban organic micro-farm on its half-acre plot, growing vegetables and fruit trees and raising chickens. A truck bought with funds from the Greater New Orleans Foundation allows them to compost vegetable waste from Whole Foods, making high-quality soil they can sell.
Students are learning how urban farming can help low-income communities take control of their health. Turner says the micro-farm can provide food security for 3,000 people. “What would food security look like for the city of New Orleans?” he speculates. “Ten schools like this across New Orleans could make a real, valuable contribution.”
Students are also learning Urban Development, a curriculum in which they will restore existing houses, build new, affordable, flood-resistant houses, and participate in design and neighborhood planning.
“I’m learning so much right now, it’s crazy,” says Josh, 18, a student and artist. “It’s not like public school. We’re given the freedom to do things and to create things.”
Brandon, 16, transferred here from one of the city’s charter schools. She enjoys the freedom and the hands-on approach. “They’re not teaching you for school,” she says. “They’re teaching you for life.”
Our School at Blair Grocery recently recieved a grant from GNOF’s Environmental Fund.
THIS IS A WONDERFUL THING!!! What about having the students teach other members of the community how to compost and garden. People like retirees, the elderly, etc.
A WONDERFUL thing!!! Great! I am so proud that an individual had a vision and that was given life….thank you. Our future depends on a many visions out there….all you have to do is share it! Life depends on these kids, our school children…. TEACH them to live! Understanding and knowing history is a wonderful thing, BUT life and living it, NOTHING takes it’s place, I am so proud.
Project Home Again welcomes the students and staff of Our School at Blair Grocery to come for a tour of one of our home building sites in Gentilly. Our builder and architect would be happy to explain the green elements of the homes. And we would love to get some tips from the students on how we could help the new homeowners create compost bins and vegetable gardens.
Call us at (504) 529-3522 if you are interested or send us an email.