Intoryi and jembes
Charlene, Esperance, and Vanis take a look at options for raised beds at Third and Brown streets in Davenport.
In their countries of origin and refugee camps, they grew the food their family ate in order to survive. Now, in the middle of a cold and snowy Midwestern winter, they are planning what to grow in Tapestry Farms’ newest urban farm plot at Third and Brown streets near downtown Davenport.
Speaking Swahili and Kinyarwanda, the women named the produce they hoped for this summer - including one veggie that they would love to see more of in the Quad Cities. It’s called Intoryi.
Out came their phones, and one Google search later:
A woman named Furaha grows intoryi starter plants in Davenport, they said. They were sure that she would love to sell at least some of them to Tapestry Farms.
Other veggies made the list, too:
Roma tomatoes | Red onions | Eggplant | Green Cabbage | Spinach | Carrots | Corn | Potatoes | Squash | Peppers | Beans
How about fruit trees and bushes?
Apple | Pear | Berries | Paw paws
Absorbing the conversation via Zoom were Fred Meyer and Jen Kardos from Backyard Abundance. This nonprofit, Iowa-City-based organization, designs beautiful, environmentally beneficial landscapes that provide healthy food and habitat. They are designing the plans for the long-vacant lot that Tapestry Farms will be transforming into a place where food, community, and healing grows.
Since Fred and Jen don’t speak Swahili or Kinyarwanda, interpreter Joshua Ngao ensured that they understood what the women were saying.
In addition to food grown, they talked about what the raised beds should look like (as long as possible), and what tools should be used. It was made clear: the hoes that they used in Africa are top-notch. Called jembes, the African grocery store on 11th Street in Rock Island is the best place to get them. Chicago, the store owner, keeps them in stock.
Out came phones and Google again:
The women talked about why they like Roma tomatoes better than smaller or larger varieties (they keep longer), and how they prefer the taste of red onions over yellow or white. They discussed bringing their children to the plot - with babies wrapped around them and older kids helping to weed and water, too. They asked for a spot for people to sit and rest, too. They were one of two groups who met to dream about what they want this space to be.
Two of the people who were part of the planning crew are employees of Tapestry Farms. They will be working to build the four-tenths of an acre this spring and summer, alongside a Girl Scout troop, college students, a veterans group, and other volunteers. Some of the produce will be delivered to refugee families and others who live in Quad City neighborhoods that don’t have easy access to fresh produce. Some will be sold as shares in our first year as a Community Supported Agriculture model - sign up for a share, and receive deliveries on your doorstep. Sign ups will be available soon.
