story by Genevieve SanchezCity farmercultivates communitiesAcommunity garden in the Bronx,New York is about as far away asyou can get from the practice roomsof the University’s Elder Conservatorium. It’sthere among the plots of sprouting springvegetables that you’ll find Will Littleton,musician-turned-garden manager.Having studied a Bachelor of Musicat the University of Adelaide and playingdouble bass professionally for manyyears, Will’s music career came to a haltbecause of recurring back problems.Developing an interest in sustainability andthe environment, he undertook a Diplomaof Conservation and Land Management.Over the next 10 years he worked inurban and rural settings in Australia, the UKand New Zealand in water conservation,bush regeneration, arboriculture andagriculture, broadening his understanding ofglobal environmental issues and seeing theneed to change land management practicesto remedy the damage already done.Will also travelled through South-EastAsia, India, and Samoa, volunteering asan English teacher and on farms in ruralcommunities, working alongside peoplewho were struggling to feed themselvesand their families.“This made me think about our foodsystem and the huge inequalities that itproduces, not only between countriesbut within communities,” he says.Returning to Australia, Will enrolled in aBachelor of Development Studies wherehe built upon his already diverse skill set.“I thoroughly enjoyed returning as amature-aged student,” he says. “I was moreprepared and driven to learn and positionmyself to change direction and enhance mycareer, which is what I feel I have done.”After graduating, Will moved to NewYork and within six weeks was workingat the Kingsbridge Heights CommunityCenter (KHCC) in the Bronx, managinga nutrition and garden program.The community is made up ofpredominantly Latino immigrant familieson low-incomes, many of them livingbelow the poverty line. Because of thelack of affordable fresh produce, theyare forced to eat cheaper processed ortakeaway foods. Will says this is resultingin extremely high rates of food-relatedhealth issues such as obesity, diabetesand heart disease.“We need to ensure that the communityhas access to affordable fresh produceand the knowledge from a young age ofthe importance of healthy eating and thefood system,” he says.Will organises fundraising campaignsand is responsible for projects that providefood literacy education and an affordablesource of fresh produce for the community.In April, Will invited New York-basedUniversity of Adelaide alumni to visit thecentre and help prepare the Bronxgarden for spring.He says everyone felt a sense ofachievement so they have agreed tokeep in touch and make the work dayan annual alumni get together.“Working at KHCC has shown me aside of New York that I never would haveseen if I worked downtown or came hereas a tourist,” says Will.“It is really a city of social and economicinequalities, but there is a significantmovement to make change with a bustlingnon-profit sector working to improve theinfrastructure and support systems toensure residents are able to live healthier,more productive lives.”Left: Will LittletonGreen thumbs on campusEcoversity – the University of Adelaide’s sustainabilityengagement program – has helped establish two ediblegardens at the North Terrace and Waite campuses. Thegardens were made possible through start-up funding fromEcoversity’s Green Project Fund and passionate staff andstudents keen to grow food on campus, share skills andmeet like-minded people. Find out more:www.adelaide.edu.au/ecoversity/action/ediblegarden20 Lumen | Winter 2016
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