A Celebration of Partnerships and Traditions
KINGSTON, R.I. – Dec. 30, 2024 – As University of Rhode Island students and employees departed campus for winter break, the URI Cooperative Extension celebrated its impactful partnerships with Indigenous-led food sovereignty organizations.
Located just two miles from campus, the Pettaquamscutt Community Gardens in South Kingstown stands as a testament to the collaboration between an Indigenous-led group and the URI Master Gardener Program.
Pettaquamscutt Community Gardens utilizes traditional ancestral practices and heirloom seeds, focusing on the Three Sisters Garden – corn, beans, and squash. Under the leadership of Shirley Brown, a URI Master Gardener and Narragansett Tribal elder, the garden thrives through the support of volunteers from URI.
Wayne Everett, founder of the gardens, stated, ‘The Pettaquamscutt Community Gardens are focused on restoring the natural law and balance of Mother Earth, promoting food sovereignty and health through community involvement.’ He emphasized the integration of ancestral knowledge in their agricultural practices.
Education and Community Engagement
Sonia Thomas, a board member, expressed pride in the preservation of culture through the garden, noting, ‘It’s a window to our ancestral traditions and way of life.’ Meanwhile, Vanessa Venturini, program leader, commented on the innovative integration of ancestral knowledge in their training programs.
As part of their mission, the gardens have initiated an ‘Indigenous foods’ module in the Master Gardener training to honor both scientific and traditional knowledge. This complements the Narragansett Indian Tribe’s ongoing food sovereignty efforts.
Contributions to Community
Last year, URI Cooperative Extension expanded its reach by growing seedlings for Indigenous-led gardens and involving community members in various educational activities. One of the program’s highlights was a community celebration that emphasized cultural education through traditional practices.
Volunteers like Jeanne Sovet have expressed enthusiasm for participating, stating, ‘Working with the local Indigenous community enriches my experience as a Master Gardener.’ Sovet emphasized the impact of learning traditional growing methods and preserving seeds passed down through generations.
A Bright Future Ahead
As the new gardening season approaches in May, the cooperative effort will continue to educate and empower community members in traditional practices and food sovereignty. URI’s Master Gardener Program remains committed to celebrating and revitalizing Indigenous agricultural traditions.
For more information about URI’s Master Gardener Program, visit their website. Also, learn about the Pettaquamscutt Community Gardens on their Facebook page.
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