LANDERS GARDEN
Odelia Hernandez grew up in the small town of Santa Catalina Yosonotú in Oaxaca, Mexico. She details her family’s farming traditions, and how everyone worked together to grow, sow, and preserve each year’s harvest. Her narration is peppered with the foods of her memories, which bring to light her experiences and how the foods that she ate depended on the seasons and availability. Odelia came to the United States only a few days before the September 11th attacks. She has been involved with the Proyecto Esperanza for over six years, actively gardens in Feaster Park, and helps run Mercado Esperanza.
Cira Cruz recalls her difficult life in the rural state of Oaxaca, México, and her experiences with agriculture. She describes the challenges that pushed her and her family to migrate to the United States.
Jennifer Hinton is the administrator for Unity Square. She describes how her faith has transformed throughout her life and how it has helped her throughout her various careers.
Alejandro Victoriano Antonio is a long-time participant of the Unity Square community gardens. He shares anecdotes from his past in Mexico and the difficult road that has brought him to his present life in the United States. In his story, he explains the role that farming plays in his life, and the value that it brings to him, to his family, and to his community.
Maria Pellerano helped build up the Landers community gardens when they first started. She is now the Assistant Professor of Family Medicine and Community Health at the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.
Hector Perez is a community organizer at Unity Square in New Brunswick who works at the Housing Resource Center and as the organizer of the Unity Square community gardens. He practices his motto of “We, not me” at his various jobs and committee obligations.
Doraelia Aguilar is a coordinator at Landers Garden. She discusses how COVID-19 has impacted the social aspects of the gardening community and the habits she hopes to teach her children through gardening.
Angélica Martinez is a coordinator at Landers Garden. She recounts the growing traditions she learned in Mexico and how they have inspired her gardens in New Brunswick.