The New Urban Farmers is a non-profit organization that has set out to preserve and restore our environment by creating sustainable agricultural systems in the city. Bleu Grijalva is the Community Garden Manager and Educator, and Emily Jodka is the Community Outreach and Program Administrator. Bleu Grijalva has harvested grapes in France, Olives in Greece, and worked on the oldest and largest organic farm in RI. Bleu has extensive knowledge of agriculture as well as food - he makes a great role model and educator for kids. Emily Jodka has a passion for growing food organically, and comes from a background in technology and design. Together, Emily and Bleu have a great combination of skills that allow them to bring the best environmentally sound growing practices to urban spaces.
Bleu Grijalva - is a founder of The Farm Guide, which has since evolved to become The New Urban Farmers – Bleu, a California native - and descendant of Mexican migrant farm workers – Mostly grape farmers who would follow the harvest from South to North - After school Bleu left California in the early 90’s – traveled to Greece to learn about olives – and eventually to France – to work the vineyards – Eventually Bleu became involved in the food and beverage industry which led to the organic farming movement in Rhode Island – Involved with all aspects of the farm – including planting, harvesting, marketing, and cheese monger - It was then that Bleu realised a need for healthy and safe food which could be accessible to everyone. It through the birth of The New Urban Farmers that Bleu hopes to accomplish his goal – by reaching out – one community at a time – breaking stigmas attached to many minority groups – with a natural zest for life and food we foresee many communities welcoming us with open arms.
Emily Jodka - is one of the two people who founded The Farm Guide, which has evolved into the New Urban Farmers. She received her undergraduate degree of Graphic Design and New Media from Johnson & Wales University. While working at Brown University Emily became an IT professional. She had the opportunity to become the second part of starting up a non-profit and took it. Currently Emily mixes her technology skill with her passion for growing food, flowers and all plants. As a member of the New Urban Farmers she hope to help create urban food system that will help eradicate food deserts in Rhode Island. She is eagerly waiting to complete the Master Gardener’s program at the University of Rhode Island by the end of this winter. She hopes through her efforts that social barriers will be broken and healthy safe food will be plentiful for all.
Rafael Ramon - has been a New Urban Farmer since spring of 2010 - He is a Puerto Rican native who relocated to the Continental United States and has lived all up and down the east coast. Rafael has grown his own food for many years and is now bringing his experiences to our urban farms - from planting to building Rafael does it all. Rafael is the Farm Leader at the Garden of Life at Galego Court.
Liz Talbot - During a recent work program with the Woodlawn Community Center of Pawtucket, Liz worked with teens on building projects as well as a mosaic project incorporating found glass. She is excited to start programs with youth this fall. Prior to coming to New Urban Farmers, Liz volunteered in Middelburg, South Africa for a Peace Core Project where she worked with youth to paint an animal mural as well as Oaxaca, Mexico for an Alternative Spring Break trip centered on teaching and learning from another culture. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at VCU and her Master of Fine Arts Degree in Painting from the University of Connecticut. Liz has been teaching art at the university level since graduating but her main aspiration is partnering art and the community led her to New Urban Farmers. She hopes to promote creative inquiry and personal growth through the arts.
Our Volunteers - Without our volunteers the New Urban Farmers would not be able to do everything that we do. All the helping hands have built garden beds, pulled weeds, and a planted peach tree in our urban community. Together we all can make our cities a greener more sustainable place to be. We've had so many good volunteers give their time, they come from all over the city and the globe! Please check out our Volunteer Page here you can learn more about volunteering with the New Urban Farmers!
