Give & Take: Lessons in Unity and Community at Umoja Garden

It’s not every day in Brooklyn that a trip to the laundromat is interrupted by the cheerful “cluck cluck” of chickens as you round a street corner. This was my first encounter with my local community garden, which quickly became a second home. Naturally, my roommate and I couldn’t resist stopping to snap a few photos of the hens. We were greeted by two lovely women tending to Umoja Garden – nestled on the corner of Putnam and Broadway in Bed-Stuy – who encouraged us to attend the next general garden meeting. Since attending that first meeting two winters ago, I’ve experienced a deep sense of community that has inspired me to get involved, and I haven’t left since.

“Umoja” is a Swahili word that signifies unity. It is also the first principle of Kwanzaa, emphasizing the importance of togetherness and collective harmony. This is the energy that fellow garden members emulate while nursing the soil and hosting community events – we unite toward a collective goal, no matter our different backgrounds, ages, and experiences. With our eight chickens, four-bin compost system, and ~30 garden beds, Umoja is its own special ecosystem in the hustle and bustle of New York City.

Gardening is the core of what we do – growing food and contributing to sustainable waste practices – but the space is so much more. We welcome local preschool and elementary students to discover the wonders of gardening, from learning about plant growth to exploring garden creatures like worms and butterflies. Throughout the year, we also organize mutual aid events, distributing hot meals, winter clothing, and sanitary products to our neighbors. In the summer, our lively block parties bring the community together with music, fire hydrant sprinklers to cool off, and delicious BBQ food from the grill.

Umoja is one-of-a-kind to me, but there are over 550 community gardens in New York City across different boroughs supported by NYC Parks’ GreenThumb, the nation’s largest urban gardening program. The history of community gardens is rooted in collective action towards a greener and cleaner city.

During the city’s financial crisis in the 1970s, as buildings burned and vacant lots became dumping grounds, community members took action to reclaim these neglected spaces, transforming them into vibrant urban farms and gardens. Neighborhood residents continue to manage these community gardens, which offer vital green spaces that enhance air quality, support biodiversity and promote the well-being of the local community.

Finding a community garden near you is easier than you might think! There are hundreds spread across New York City, each welcoming new faces and fresh energy. Even small acts, like lending a hand at a weekend workday or joining a neighborhood event, can make a meaningful difference.

Working alongside neighbors of all ages and backgrounds at Umoja has shown me the power of intergenerational and multicultural collaboration; it’s taught me about the world, about empathy and about what it means to care for our Earth together.

Whether you’re looking to grow food, build community or simply learn something new, there’s a space waiting for you just around the corner… all it takes is the first step through the garden gate.

To find a garden near you, check out GreenThumb’s interactive Garden Map.