Anna Frye, a Boston native who migrated to Minneapolis, MN in the late 80s early 90s with her two daughters and became a long time resident of North Minneapolis. She joined her older siblings in the pursuit for a better life, family support and better education for her children. Minneapolis became her home and her resting place.
Anna was no stranger to community involvement. Whatever neighborhood she lived in, she volunteered at the neighborhood recreation center and her children’s schools when she was able. She always directed her children to join the programming at the park and rec centers because they offered a safe place for the youth to hangout and connect to other positive opportunities. As a volunteer the kids called her Ms. Anna. She was old school but fun! She had a joyful way of connecting with kids and helping them to think positively about their own neighborhoods and the world that they lived in. She taught them how to keep their neighborhoods clean and to settle their disputes in a way in which everyone could still feel safe at the playground.
Anna loved doing many things with her hands. She wasn’t much of a writer but she loved to read, draw, paint, cook and grow her own vegetables. She had learned how to grow her own vegetables from the teachings of her mother. When Anna was able, wherever she lived she would seek out community garden plots to grow on. She would tend to her little garden plot through the season and bring home enough food for her to eat and to share with others. She loved growing vegetables. I think that it brought her peace and connected her to her mother’s spirit.
Anna Frye is a woman in agricultural history simply because she was driven to learn how to grow her own food and share that experience with others.
Community garden plots are for rent, offered on a sliding fee scale and for free for everyone in nearly every city. They are usually available through your city’s park and recreation centers. You can apply to get a plot usually at the beginning of January. The plots are offered to residents first. You can expect the lot to be divided into 10x10 or 14x14 plots sizes with one foot walkways between each plot. Some plots come with a garden mentor and supplies and some do not. Please read through your city’s community garden guidelines before making your decision.
Community garden plots are a great way to spend time outdoors. Even if you are new to gardening this could be a way to learn how to grow vegetables on your own and reaping the immediate benefits. Whether you have a green thumb or not this is one great way to learn how to grow your own food in a low-cost manner. I promise you will not be disapointed.
We salute Anna Frye, a woman in agriculture’s history during this lovely month of March!