Project Change

Farming in the Fog

The Pillars Leadership Group spent a morning "creating a change without change" at the Kansas City Center for Urban Agriculture.   The KCCUA (www.kccua.org) is a local non-profit promoting the production and consumption of fresh, local produce by growing urban farmers who are an active part of healthy neighborhoods in greater Kansas City .

Our morning at the farm greeted us with freezing fog and 28 degree temperatures - perfect farming weather!!  Luckily we were able to gather in the greenhouse and help prepare soil for planting, plant seedlings, and paint a mural on the greenhouse wall.  We enjoyed the opportunity to learn more about urban agriculture and even got a chance to discuss how we can help promote urban agriculture through our profession of architecture.  We met many other great volunteers who help out at the farm and were led by our wonderful hosts Alicia Ellingsworth and Ami Freeberg.  If you would have told us before that making soil could be fun, we would have said you are crazy, but thanks to these two enthusiastic and wonderful volunteer leaders we couldn't have had a better time!!  In the end we helped produce numerous loads of soil, over 15 full flats of seedlings ready to begin their growth in the greenhouse, and a mural that could be the most beautiful greenhouse mural in Western Kansas City.  We left feeling greatly fulfilled and proud that we had helped the KCCUA continue their mission while learning a little about urban agriculture along the way!

Farming in the Fog

HOME

Habitat for Humanity provides one of the most basic needs for all people - a home.  As a group primarily composed of architects we naturally wanted to prove we can build what we draw.  We took on the challenge of filling a need by helping someone fill one of their biggest needs in helping them build a home.  The opportunity to share in the process of helping someone build a home for their family was an amazing experience and will fill a need for years and possibly generations to come.  While we were sure we easily could have built the entire house ourselves due to our impeccable skill and knowledge of all things construction, we simply helped hang some doors, mount some trim, paint and install some bathroom vanities.  In doing this we learned we probably really can't build an entire house ourselves and are thankful people out there can read and build what we put on our drawings:)   And, we are especially thankful for the people who dedicate their time and expertise to great causes like Habitat and help fill this basic need for families each and every day.

Cheers,

Pillars