Screenshot
We are solving multiple issues including an underutilized plot of land, water drainage fees for impervious surfaces, and costly food waste. We are solving these by building a community garden, creating a water recycling program, and implementing a compost system into the garden. The community garden will create an income source for the church and provide the holistic benefits of gardening to their community members in need.
As a result of this project, the church will be more sustainable, decrease their monthly fees to garbage and water runoff, provide more resources to the community, and create an additional revenue source.
The community is Nazarene Baptist Church in Detroit, MI. Their membership base is very diverse. Their outreach program (Nazarene Community Outreach) is one of the largest providers of free food to their community and provide other resources such as clothing and shelter. Some community members are even able to gain job experience by helping with these projects. They also provide business training, justice reform meetings, and other training opportunities.
Their primary goal for this project is effective and productive land use where people can gain gardening skills and the church can have a revenue stream by growing and selling produce. The revenue would support the many resources they provide.
Nazarene Baptist learned about Thriving Earth Exchange through a member referral who has done work with TEX in the past. The church has already laid the groundwork for this project. They’ve removed fencing and old trees. They also regularly volunteer with other local organizations to support their missions and learn skills such as composting, growing operations, etc.
The church would like to create a community garden to engage, build trust and create relationships within their community. The garden will also provide opportunities for environmental education and skill building. We plan to work with a local organization that helps establish community gardens. The church is also going to host a “town hall” to keep their members informed before the project starts, for September or October. The project will primarily involve church members and outside community members. These folks will be available to help with any hands-on work that is needed per the guidance of the expert from the beginning to the end of the project. The church has many members who regularly offer their help for various projects. While they may not be experts in these particular areas, they care about the church and community and are eager to help however possible. Because of the impactful work the church does, they often receive help from outside community members for their programs.
The church is currently paying excess fees for water drainage based on the amount of impervious surfaces on the property. They are also paying excess trash pickup fees for the amount of food waste that occurs as a biproduct of food distribution (often food is already too damaged or expired by the time it gets to them or isn’t taken by the community). Part of the output of this project will be decreasing these fees by setting up a water recycling system and composting, both of which also support the garden. Decreasing the fees enables them to funnel more money into providing greater support to their community.
Once completed, the community will have a space to gain the holistic benefits of gardening while contributing to the financial stability of this beloved organization. We hope that this work will encourage other churches and non-profits to do the same kind of projects to be more environmentally sustainable and provide more for their communities. Seeing a struggling, grass roots organization go through this kind of revitalization and provide so much to a community is inspiring.
September – December 2024
January – February 2025
March – June 2025
Rev. Kevin Harris is the senior Pastor of Nazarene Missionary Baptist Church, located in the historic North End of Detroit, Michigan. Rev. Harris was elected in 2017 and has brought a social justice orientation to the church and community. From environmental to criminal justice reform, Nazarene Missionary Baptist has become known as one of the most progressive ministries in the United States under the leadership of Pastor Harris.
Pamela Ruffins is the Outreach Director at Nazarene Baptist Church. She is responsible for weekly food distribution, providing housing and clothing for the unhoused through the ministries shelters for men women and children, and Directs Safe Sleep classes for new and expecting mothers. Ms. Ruffins is a great asset to Nazarene MBC and the greater Detroit community at large.
Paula Baugher is a Recreation Fee Ranger with the National Park Service in Vancouver, Washington. She has a BS in Science and a minor in Geology from Portland State University. She also has significant experience in community engagement, volunteer coordination, and mutual aid. Prior to graduating, she also worked in the banking and mortgage industry for 12 years.
We are looking for landscape architects, permaculturists, horticulturists, or folks with expertise in sustainable gardening to help us make a community garden site plan with composting and plan out a water recycling system. We would like some advice on best produce to grow for the climate and are interested in the potential for a greenhouse if needed. The community members are especially interested in growing blueberries to sell at local markets.
We would also like to look into the possibility of removing pavement or determining other viable options for drainage charge credits as described in this guide from the City of Detroit A Guide to Drainage Charge Credits – Web.pdf (detroitmi.gov). Given the nature of the project, we would like to work with someone local.
Desired Skills and Qualifications:
Thriving Earth Exchange asks all scientific partners to work with the community to help define a project with concrete local impact to which they can contribute as pro-bono volunteers and collaborators. This work can also position the scientists and communities to seek additional funding, together, for the next stage.
National Park Service
The National Park Service preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. The National Park Service cooperates with partners to extend the benefits of natural and cultural resource conservation and outdoor recreation throughout this country and the world.
