22 Aug 8th-Aug 14th, 2024 phoenixnewtimes.com PHOENIX NEW TIMES | NEWS | FEATURE | FOOD & DRINK | ARTS & CULTURE | MUSIC | CONCERTS | CANNABIS | Renee, a business executive herself, launched their foundation in 2012. The garden was donated to Local First three years ago by members Patricia and Howard Fleischmann after they sold their business, Community Tire Pros & Auto Repair. In 2022, Local First reached out to Forté, a garden instructor and beekeeper, to head the garden which also receives funding from a National Resources Conservation Service grant. In Heart & Soil’s first growing season, it yielded over 1,000 pounds of produce. That weight doubled the next year. A section of the garden is designated for growing produce that will be given to the community for free. Also, growers often donate surplus crops they are unable to use or sell. Along with donations from St. Vincent DePaul’s urban farm, Heart & Soil was able to contribute 6,000 pounds to the onsite market for twice-a- month produce giveaways. Lanning says the recent donation will add to a domino effect that Heart & Soil has already put into motion. “Families can come here and get free fresh produce and learn how to grow food at home,” Lanning says. “It’s increasing food security.” For a decade, Forté has specialized in urban farming in Arizona. For seven years, she’s been a beekeeper and started her own beekeeping school, the BaeHive Sisterhood. Learning opportunities Before Alison McGordon started going to Heart & Soil in 2022, she hadn’t grown a single thing. Today, her rows at the garden have produced tomatoes, melons, cucumbers, squash, onions and herbs. She plants flowers to help with pollination. McGordon also broadened her cooking skills, seeking out recipes that utilize what she grows and how to use even the scraps — such as the tough stems from red chard — to make vegetable stock ensuring nothing goes to waste. “I’ve learned a lot and it’s been a really cool learning experience,” says McGordon, who doesn’t live far from Heart & Soil. McGordon’s husband helps with heavy labor-intensive tasks and her step- daughter, 24, works the market. Her 17-year-old son, who was homeschooled during a battle with leukemia, was able to earn credits to graduate this year thanks to his volunteer work at the garden. McGordon brings her one-year-old baby with her as she tends to her rows, her 4-year-old son helps to water the crops and her mother ties up rosemary bundles. “It’s definitely become a family affair for us,” McGordon says. “People say they want to do things. (Forté) really did it. She has created a safe space where you can come and learn, get support and have fun. She is an incredible woman.” While Forté empowers others through Heart & Soil, she expressed appreciation to Local First for empowering her. Forté credited Local First with reviving her ABC Mobile Education business, which partners with Local First to offer agricultural-based education workshops, many of them at Heart & Soil, after the pandemic. With this business up and running, she is able to dedicate time to maintaining Heart & Soil. And with the recent donation, Forté is optimistic that Local First and Heart & Soil will be able to empower even more people to learn about their food and embrace how an urban garden can transform a community. “It’s something that was truly moti- vating and makes me feel like we are on the path we are supposed to be on,” Forté says. “It’s very humbling and motivating at the same time.” Heart & Soil People’s Garden 1730 S. Second St. Ready to Grow from p 20 Left: Nika Forté, Heart & Soil People’s garden director and a seventh-generation farmer, examines earthworms with Ona McGordon. Right: Alison McCordon has grown produce at the garden since 2022, and her hobby has become a family affair. (Photos by Alison McGordon)