Free Garden Program for Latinos and Pilipinos Returns This Spring
PLATO, SIPA's free garden program for Latinos and Pilipinos, returned this April with free workshops where participants get hands-on experience in growing their own food from seed to harvest. Last year, SIPA launched PLATO, a community garden program designed to teach both first-time and experienced gardeners how to cultivate fresh produce in their own neighborhood. Participants (of all ages) meet once a week, following the progress of their labor of love throughout the year — from planting season (now) to growing season (summer) and to harvest season (early summer/fall). Participants get to keep the produce they grow, like carrots, strawberries, corn, and more, in SIPA’s Heritage Garden.
Community members can register for this beautiful program here. Workshops take place in April on Wednesdays from 5:30-7:00 PM at SIPA's HQ at HiFi Collective (3200 W Temple St, STE 100 Los Angeles CA 90026).
PLATO is a part of SIPA's many programs that aim to build the power and leadership of their community members and residents throughout LA County — serving both Filipinos and Latinos, who have a long history of solidarity, especially as laborers and farm workers. Under Executive Director Kimmy Maniquis' guidance, the org is moving from just a service model to one that supports the development of grassroots leaders.
PLATO In The News!
“Having an expert in gardening and being able to really facilitate certain workshops that had to do with techniques, cultural practices, as well as more of the technical topics of composting, pest management and things like that was essential for the program.“
She also added that another important component of the program is teaching community members about chronic disease prevention and healthy lifestyle habits that they can implement in their daily routines. “Members are able to gain knowledge just from learning how to grow their fresh produce and being able to get outside, stay active and really be their own leaders,” she said.”