The Applied Research Garden at Dix Street NE, in the heart of Ward 7’s Richardson Dwelling and Lincoln Heights communities, does not look like any other community garden in Washington, DC.
Hustlaz 2 Harvesters has revitalized a formerly overgrown piece of land into a community hub and progressive garden. A project of My Seniors Keeper Foundation, since 2012 the 501c3 organization has pushed the envelope in sustainability and solar power. Utilizing aquaponics, hydroponics, and aeroponics, the space is a testament that you can grow anywhere as long as you’re willing to think outside the box.
According to organization founder Muhsin Boe Luther Umar, better known as Boe or Uncle Boe, the goal of the space is, “to collaborate with the young and old generation to get them a better, sustainable way of life in agriculture. We transform land and lives. Our hustle is to be able to transfer our knowledge to the young generation to get them a better, sustainable way of life.” Boe is a recognized leader on growing both food and opportunities as a returning citizen who has spent years advocating for innovative food policies and workforce development programs. He was born across the street from the garden he tends to each day.
Touring the space with Boe, through the solar dome, rows of plants utilizing vertical gardening, and a cold storage space, one can’t help but be inspired by this guerilla gardener turned community leader. He uses his technical knowledge on everything from mobile solar unit installation to careful carpentry to bring light—literally and figuratively—to the garden’s work with older adults, returning citizens, and neighborhood youth. When he builds a raised garden bed, he’ll use donated wooden pallets from DC Central Kitchen’s foodservice operation to make gardening more accessible for a senior with limited mobility. When we drop off meals each Friday, he’ll use that food to engage neighbors and passersby on what he’s building and growing on the farm and get them asking questions about training, health, and emergency readiness.
That’s why DC Central Kitchen was thrilled to work with our community of supporters to help install that new cold storage at the garden and support improvements to Boe’s solar dome. We’re growing something with real roots in Ward 7.
Learn more about the innovative garden at 5300 Dix Street NE and the inspiring work of Boe and his colleagues below…