673: Wallace Kirby and Boe Luther on Hustlaz 2 Harvesters.
A couple of friends who are transforming their disadvantaged community.
This week we have a very special series of five daily episodes of the Urban Farm Podcast sharing the work of Growing Spaces, a company whose vision is to provide year-round growing solutions for your own food, no matter the weather. We start the week by hearing from the founders of the company, then we have three episodes from people just like you that are using Growing Domes to grow food for their community, and we wrap up the week hearing the vision of the new owners. We really encourage you to listen to this incredible content, then check out their website at GrowingSpaces.com/urbanfarm.
In This Podcast:
In the fourth of five episodes, we hear from Wallace Kirby and Boe Luther who have made it their mission to transform life and land. Their non-profit community garden in Washington D.C. was awarded a Growing Spaces growing dome which they plan to use as both an educational classroom and a way to increase the amount of food they can give back to the community. You will be inspired by their transformational stories, especially their own.
Our Guests:
Wallace Kirby is a product of public housing in Washington DC and claims to be a survivor, thriver and transformer of disadvantaged communities. He is the senior co-founder of the Hustlaz 2 Harvesters Applied Research Garden.
Boe Luther is the other co-founder of the Hustlaz 2 Harvesters. He was born and raised in Washington DC and is a returning citizen who is focusing on transforming lands and lives for the disadvantaged.
Editor’s Note:
This is episode 4 of a 5 part series. Listen to part 3 HERE, and don’t miss episode 5 tomorrow!
Listen in and learn about:
- Giving back all but 13 years of 48 to life
- Building and growing from nothing
- Getting certified…in LOTS of things!
- Growing vertically on a rooftop
- Being addicted to gardening
- Going on nature walks as children
- Understanding the significance of agriculture
- Explaining Hustlaz 2 Harvesters
- Giving bread while taking surveys
- Returning citizens – defined
- Transforming lives in the community garden
- Learning through the process of building the dome
- Increasing yield by growing vertically inside the dome
- Finding resources
- Partnering with Pepco
- Having a great relationship with Growing Spaces
- Imagining life in a dome
As well as:
Boe’s failure – Making mistakes and ending up doing 48 years to life
Wallace’s success – Going through all he did and still wanting to fulfill a vision
Boe’s drive – His grandmother and “Waking up every morning knowing I gotta do something.”
Wallace’s drive – “My mother… how she loved life… she loved other people.”
Boe’s advice – “Always consider gardening agriculture.” and “Show them better than you can tell it.”
Wallace’s Book recommendation:
The Science and Business of Farming vs the Art and Hobby of Gardening by Dr. Ridgely Abdul Mu’min Muhammad
How to reach Wallace and Boe:
Website: hustlaz2harvesters.org
Email: Wallace shubaka9@gmail.com Boe icmentor64@gmail.com
Phone: Boe 202-907-2669
Join us tomorrow for the fifth episode in this special series, where we talk to Liz and Lem Tingley, the current owners of Growing Spaces.
UrbanFarm.org/hustlaz2harvesters
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