This week I had the opportunity to visit the Motherland Gardens Community Project in Springfield. Yves Doumen, the founder of this organization, and also a member of the Illinois National Guard, provided an educational experience for all of us that attended the legislative farm tour. The non-profit urban farm focuses on bringing positive change to the city of Springfield and members work hard to combat food insecurity by fostering sustainable urban agriculture in their east-side neighborhood.
During the farm tour, we discussed challenges of urban blight and how those spaces can be cleaned up and turned into productive urban farms to support the communities that surround them. I learned a lot about this organization and how state government can help with inspiring youth and communities to engage in urban agriculture and entrepreneurship. We share the same vision for Springfield, and that is to create a thriving community where everyone can live an active and healthy life.
