Bami Farm: A proposal for the African Alliance of Rhode Island

BAMI FARM

A PROPOSAL FOR THE AFRICAN ALLIANCE OF RHODE ISLAND Spring 2020 Rhode Island School of Design Urban Farming and Community Garden Practices

Proposal Written by Urban Farming Class, RISD May 2020

Introduction: The Project at Bami Farm

RISD Urban Farming Team + Project Partners

Bami Farm Past + Present

Analysis: Project Requirements + Environmental Factors

Project Implementation

Selected Bibliography

Contents

Project: Site + Signage Proposal

THE PROJECT AT BAMI FARM

To further advance their mission, the African Alliance of RI has been planning to build two high tunnel style greenhouses at Bami Farm so that they can farm year-round. In 2019 the AARI gathered a team of enthusiastic volunteers from RISD, Gilbane Construction and Building Futures for the project, meeting regularly to organize efforts to make the project a reality.

The RISD team, originally tasked with designing the greenhouses, stepped back to also develop a site strategy for the Farm that considered all of the uses and the need for communication with the larger public. In addition, the RISD team will assist with the construction of one of the greenhouses in the fall of 2020. Site preparation work will be done by Gilbane Building Company.

And Building Futures, a non-profit building trade training program, will assist with building the second structure. Funding for the greenhouses are coming from a NRCS high tunnel grant and the Champlin Foundation, while RISD is supporting student transportation and assistantships.

The RISD Spring 2020 course “Urban Farming and Community Garden Practices” was initiated through the Center for Social Equity and Inclusion to meet RISD’s goals of establishing meaningful engagement with members of the Providence community through collaborative design. Social justice connects to environmental issues in multiple ways. One important factor is access to healthy local food. Currently, according to FarmFresh RI, over 90% of the food consumed in RI comes from outside of the region and access to local food is a challenge. However, the consumption of local food is expanding as growers and citizens look to new ways to improve health and grow the local economy. In 2016, Rhode Island initiated a RI Food Strategy that “envisions a sustainable, equitable food system that is uniquely Rhode Island; one that builds on its traditions and strengths to connect local consumers with local producers, support the economy, and move toward a regional goal of 50 percent of the food eaten in New England be produced in

the region by 2060.”1 Bami Farm fits perfectly into this initiative. It has the potential to strengthen local communities through economic development, enhancing food security, reducing food apartheid, and reducing of the use of fossil-fuels, all while creating places where individuals can engage natural systems and support biodiversity.

The class began work by gathering information about the site, the AARI needs, the high tunnel systems, and the passive strategies for greenhouse design.

The farm site is formed by a clearing within the protected woodland of Snake Den Park. The park has paths that cross the Farm at several points.

There is the potential for conflict with visitors, who are unaware of the farm.

This leads to difficult interactions and micro aggressions. A holistic design was needed to address these issues by communicating the mission and methods of the AARI to the passerby and to a wider audience. Bami Farm requires other amenities to improve farming practices, including continued development of farm plots, tool sheds with water collection, composting areas, native planting pollinator gardens and beehives, and gathering spaces for educational tours, intergenerational activities, meetings, and a future farmer’s market. These needs are over and above the required high tunnel style greenhouses.

The team addressed this challenging program by designing a strategy for the whole property, a layout of the greenhouses, and signage throughout.

Our students learned a great deal by listening with empathy and by taking advantage of deep local knowledge and experience of the AARI farmers.

They also used environmental analytic tools to better understand the phyiscal conditions that are less visible. Most impressively, the students regrouped and concentrated their efforts after the outbreak of the coronavirus midway through the term. Rather than letting go, they redirected the work and took the opportunity to reflect on the problem to see the situation in new ways, showing that design can play a role in healing and nurturing culturally-diverse places.

LAURA BRIGGS 1. AnderBois, Sue. Relish Rhody, Rhode Island Food Strategy, The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, 2017.

Overview

The African Alliance of Rhode Island is a non-profit organization that was created “to serve as an umbrella to the population of Africans in the state”.

Farming is an important part of their work. By creating opportunities for urban farming, the AARI gives members, who come from villages where agriculture is a part of daily life, a way to safely grow food. At the same time, they find community and pursue economic opportunities. In order to increase their capacity, in 2018, the African Alliance of RI leased a large farm in Johnston from the Rhode Island office of Department of Environmental Management. AARI Farmers are now successfully practicing seasonal organic farming using traditional techniques at “Bami Farm”.

African Alliance of Rhode Island The mission of the African Alliance of Rhode Island (AARI) is to promote unity within the African Communities in Rhode Island, advocate for the rights of Africans in Rhode Island, and educate the American public about Africa, AARI supports and benefits agricultural producers, while facilitating linkages between Americans and Africans. Established formally in 2004 to provide assistance to the growing number of African immigrants and refugees settling in RI. AARI is a leading provider and community collaborator in offering, health and nutrition education, culturally- appropriate fresh crops, literacy and youth programs and facilitating access to resources that promote self- sufficiency.

Building Futures Building Futures mission is to meet employer and industry need for skilled workers through the Registered Apprenticeship system while creating family-sustaining career opportunities for lowincome diverse community members. Building Futures prepares Rhode Islanders for rewarding careers in construction through their pre-apprenticeship program and they partner with public and private entities to expand entry-level, on the job training opportunities through the proven apprenticeship model. We work in building and construction and in many other industries.

Gilbane Construction Gilbane, Inc., headquartered in Providence, Rhode Island, is one of the largest privately held family-owned construction and real estate development firms in the industry. Founded as a family carpentry business in 1870, Gilbane has active participation from the 4th, 5th and 6th generations. Concentrating in select markets throughout North America, as well as internationally, Gilbane has more than 45 office locations around the world, as an industry leader in construction and real estate development.

RISD and the Center for Social Equity and Inclusion The mission of Rhode Island School of Design is to educate its students and the public in the creation and appreciation of works of art and design, to discover and transmit knowledge and to make lasting contributions to a global society through critical thinking, scholarship and innovation. The mission of the Center for SEI at RISD is to foster a more inclusive and equitable institutional culture, and an engaged, locally-and-globally-conscious campus community. The critical examination of systems that entrench and naturalize domination is fundamental to this endeavour. To that end, the Center for SEI supports a variety of cross-institutional initiatives that aim to promote inquiry, research, and innovative creative and scholarly contributions to social equity and inclusion on our campus and beyond.

for Rhode Island School of Design Shivani Agarwal | Architecture | BARCH 2021 Bareeq Bahman | Landscape Architecture | MLA 2021 Charlotte Clement | BID 2020 Lilah Cooperman | Industrial Design | BID 2021 Yifan Du | Industrial Design | BID 2021 Chelsey Frost, Master of Nature, Culture and Sustainability | MA NCSS 2021 Valeria Ramirez Ensastiga, Nature, Culture and Sustainability| MA NCSS 2021 Alexa Thorn | Architecture | BARCH 2020 Weiyi Xia | Architecture | MARCH 2021 Patrick Spence | Architecture | MARCH 2021 Xin Wang | Architecture | MARCH 2021 Dave Waite | Research Assistant | MARCH 2021 Laura Briggs, Faculty | Architecture Bethany Costello, Director, Community Relations Sarah Cunningham, Associate Provost for Research and Strategic Partnerships Joshua Grubman, Assistant General Councel Jennifer Howley, Risk & Emergency Manager Amy Kulper, Head Department of Architecture Scheri Fultineer, Dean Architecture and Design Erika Paradis, Director, Center for Student Involvement Stephen A. Metcalf, Chair, Emeriti Trustees Matthew Shenoda, Associate Provost, Center for Social Equity & Inclusion

for African Alliance of Rhode Island

for Gilbane Construction John D. Sinnott, VP Business Unit Leader RI

for Building Futures Andrew L. Cortes, Executive Director Ian Chase, Career & Training Director

Tne Team

Julius Kolawale, Executive Director John Howard, Resident Farmer

BAMI FARM The current site of the AARI Community Farm is located within the boundary of Snake Den State Park in Johnston, which boasts public walking trails and historical cemeteries. Set next to the edge of the city of Providence, the farm, known as Bami Farm,it is made up of 9 acres farming of fields cut into the forest. The fields rise slowly as they open to the north and away from the main street.

The farm started in 2018 and is leased by the AARI from the RI Department of Environmental Management.

BAMI FARM PAST & PRESENT farms in Providence and creates connections to health organizations, an annual health summit, cooking demonstrations, sports activities and participates in local Farmers Markets.

The hard-working individuals who tend this land grow a wide variety of crops, including lesser known African vegetables including multiple chile varietals and a unique melon known as “bitter

ball.” The produce is then sold at farmer’s markets and used to feed families and provide cooking demonstrations in local communities. Sharing their agricultural skills as well as their unique produce allows AARI members to celebrate their African heritage and culture while simultaneously tackling the challenges of living in Rhode Island as an African.

Bami Farm: Past + Present

Formally established in 2004, the African Alliance of Rhode Island (AARI) is dedicated to helping African immigrants and refugees living in Rhode Island. The AARI works with state agencies and existing community organizations to support Africans who have settled here by providing them with information and opportunities with which they can earn an income and care for and feed their families. The AARI currently manages 5 other

The Snake Den State Park land next door has been used to quarry stone that was used to build many of the early Providence buildings. It was also the site of one of the earliest New England apple orchards, planted by John Steere in the mid-19th century.

Bami Farm: Past + Present

The land that Bami Farm is located on has, throughout its history, been owned by colonial Rhode Island families, including the Dames, the Watermans, the Steeres and the Browns. The cemetery on the farm is a Brown family burial site.

Moses Brown, the youngest of the four famous Brown brothers and the descendant of Chad Brown, who co-founded Providence with Roger Williams, is the earliest recorded “owner� of the land. A slavery abolitionist and prominent political activist, Brown also co-founded the Rhode Island Agricultural Society in 1800. The Harris Brown Lot # 63 is part of the Rhode Island Historical Cemetery Commision listing and houses Brown family graves along with several small unmarked stones, which could have graves of african workers.

PROCESS The RISD students developed the project through a series of group workshops and open conversations with Julius Kolawole, the Executive Director of the AARI. At the same time, the class also learned about contemporary urban permaculture gardening and how different designers have worked collaboratively using the power of “creative placemaking�.

Our first meeting included a presentation of exemplary projects and site analysis results. We had several in class charrettes to think through different ideas condensing them to three schemes which we reviewed with Julius and guests. Finally, to advance the chosen design, we broke into smaller teams that looked into different aspects including; the Overall Site Planning, Landscaping, Greenhouse Design and Communication Design.

We finished with a schematic design presentation of detailed plans and perspective views.

CLASSROOM GUESTS

The final scheme focuses on the placement of the greenhouses at the center of the farm, using and east/west orientation. Responding to the greenhouse project requirements and the environmental factors, this location will optimize the functions of the greenhouse throughout the year. It will also become a hub for the farm by making clear boundaries and a focus for visitors.

Karl Treen, Head of the Providence Permaculture Chapter; Bethany Costello, RISD Community Engagement; Matthew Shenoda, RISD Associate Provost for Social Equity & Inclusion; Dawn King, Director of Undergraduate Studies, Environmental Studies and Sciences, Institute at Brown for Environment and Society; Matthew Muller, RISD Furniture faculty and co-founder of PneuHaus; Lucie Searle, RI Food Hub Development for Farm Fresh RI; and Stephen Metcalf, sculptor, farmer and RISD emeritus trustee.

Process

EVALUATING PROJECT SCHEMES

Temperature Ranges of Common Greenhouse Crops Temperature Range Tolerated Ideal Temperature Range Ideal Germination Temperature

Garden Egg and Bitter Ball

Comparison of Required Light Levels

PLANT LIGHT REQUIREMENTS Plant growth is highly dependent on visible spectrum or the Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR) and less dependent on IR and UV wavelengths. Greenhouse cladding systems typically prioritize visible light spectrum (390 – 750). The target peak light levels for different crops is equal to a peak illuminance level of 45,000 lux for plant growth. .

COMPARISON OF COVER MATERIALS

Anaylsis: Project Requirements

Plant Preferred Light Quality

Environmental Factors

Temperature Chart Indoor and Outdoor Hourly Temperatures 70

Underheated period

Overheated period

Underheated period

60

50

Temperature °C

40

30

20

10

0

-10

-20 12/31 12/27 12/23 12/19 12/15 12/11 12/07 12/03 11/29 11/25 11/21 11/17 11/13 11/09 11/05 11/01 10/28 10/24 10/20 10/16 10/12 10/08 10/04 09/30 09/26 09/22 09/18 09/14 09/10 09/06 09/02 08/29 08/25 08/21 08/17 08/13 08/09 08/05 08/01 07/28 07/24 07/20 07/16 07/12 07/08 07/04 06/30 06/26 06/22 06/18 06/14 06/10 06/06 06/02 05/29 05/25 05/21 05/17 05/13 05/09 05/05 05/01 04/27 04/23 04/19 04/15 04/11 04/07 04/03 03/30 03/26 03/22 03/18 03/14 03/10 03/06 03/02 02/26 02/22 02/18 02/14 02/10 02/06 02/02 01/29 01/25 01/21 01/17 01/13 01/09 01/05 01/01 01:00:00 01:00:00 01:00:00 01:00:00 01:00:00 01:00:00 01:00:00 01:00:00 01:00:00 01:00:00 01:00:00 01:00:00 01:00:00 01:00:00 01:00:00 01:00:00 01:00:00 01:00:00 01:00:00 01:00:00 01:00:00 01:00:00 01:00:00 01:00:00 01:00:00 01:00:00 01:00:00 01:00:00 01:00:00 01:00:00 01:00:00 01:00:00 01:00:00 01:00:00 01:00:00 01:00:00 01:00:00 01:00:00 01:00:00 01:00:00 01:00:00 01:00:00 01:00:00 01:00:00 01:00:00 01:00:00 01:00:00 01:00:00 01:00:00 01:00:00 01:00:00 01:00:00 01:00:00 01:00:00 01:00:00 01:00:00 01:00:00 01:00:00 01:00:00 01:00:00 01:00:00 01:00:00 01:00:00 01:00:00 01:00:00 01:00:00 01:00:00 01:00:00 01:00:00 01:00:00 01:00:00 01:00:00 01:00:00 01:00:00 01:00:00 01:00:00 01:00:00 01:00:00 01:00:00 01:00:00 01:00:00 01:00:00 01:00:00 01:00:00 01:00:00 01:00:00 01:00:00 01:00:00 01:00:00 01:00:00 01:00:00 01:00:00

UNZ_0:Zone Outdoor Air Drybulb Temperature [C](Hourly)

2

UNZ_0:Zone Mean Air Temperature [C](Hourly)

Overheated period: 5/6 - 9/24 265/6 - 55-°C9/24 (79 - 131 °F) 26 Overheated period: Underheated period: 10/25 - 4/20 -5 - 20 °C (23 - 68 °F)

Underheated period: 10/25 - 4/20

- 55 °C (79 - 131 °F) -5 - 20 °C (23 - 68 °F)

CLIMATE AND DESIGN TEMPERATURES The site is in the USDA grow zone 6. Johnston’s weather is a mixed climate being hot and humid in the summer and cold in the winter. There are large seasonal shifts but relatively small diurnal temperature variations. Being in a northern latitude, direct solar radiation is relatively diffused. There is a tendency for cloud cover in the fall and spring. Sky luminance levels in the winter can be low which is an important factor for daylight availability.

In Residential design temperatures have a narrow range and constant. In comparison, greenhouse temperature should range and vary though out day and month to simulate plant experience in its habitat and phases of growth.

In addition, some plants are more resilient and can grow in low temperatures.

Depending on the plant, temperatures in a greenhouse can range. The target conditions for plants should stay below 86 degrees F in the summer and above 29 degrees F in the winter.

WIND AND WATER The prevailing breezes change seasonally. In the summer, the prevailing breezes come from the southwest and range from 3 to 20 mph, while in winter the prevailing breezes come from the north west and range from 4 to 25 mph.

Weather data from cli-MATE, Midwestern Regional Climate Center

Anaylsis: Environmental Factors

Rainfall averages about 4� per month. The water runoff on the site follows the grade line.

The Project: Site Strategy

North parking

Harris Brown cemetery

Snake Den State Park path

greenhouse gathering space

shed 1 farmer (existing) plots

circle gathering space

pollinator garden gate

bioswale

reflection garden

shed 3

shed 2

BAMI FARM DESIGN SITE STRATEGY Our goal was to create a logical and straightforward design that reflects the farm’s needs and communicates the cultural values of the African Alliance.

The design responds to environmental factors to take advantage of the available site resources and keep external inputs to a minimum which will reduce operating costs and carbon emissions.

Bami Farm consists of several narrow fields that are carved out of the forest and that rise to the north as one enters the property. The placement of the greenhouse at the top of the rise takes advantage of the prospect while also minimizing regrading and allowing for better water management. The clearing between the two greenhouses creates a central gathering space for

the complex. Finally, by creating a boundary at the existing Snake Den path, the greenhouses will better define public and private areas, and protect the farmers. Secondary seating areas for smaller gatherings are planned at the cleared cemetery in the glade near the pond.

The Bami Farm plan shows four main farming areas with arable soil with intersperced pollinator gardens and stormwater management at wet areas.

Three much needed sheds in the fields will allow farmers to better organize and protect their tools and supplies, manage waste and harvast water. Finally, colorful signage has been designed for all locations that articulates activities and AARI goals.

GATHERING CIRCLE

REFLECTION GARDEN

The central space at the greenhouse is a flexible meeting space that allows for large or small gatherings. This space serves all generations while providing more gardening areas. Activities could include group meals, cooking demonstrations, sport activity, or a location for a farmer’s market.

The space includes picnic tables and seating with raised gardens at the edge of the south greenhouse. Pollinator gardens are planned for the edge of the north greenhouse to create a beautiful biodiverse buffer.

This gathering space is formed by a large tree and located at a place that cannot be farmed. The tree marks the gathering space. The circle provides a space for encounters with various groups.

The reflecition Garden creates a shaded space for a quiet moment by the pond. Benches are organized for one on one conversation set amongst pollinator planting that are designed to attract butterflies.

Circles, found in many Native American cultures, are used for many purposes, including as a place for mediation, conferencing, and means of dialog with the community.

The Project: Gathering Spaces

GREENHOUSE GATHERING

AARI farmers lease plots of various sizes

FARMING AREAS Continuing with the mission carried out in the other 5 urban gardens that AARI leads, Bami Farm has at the center of its strategy the wellbeing of the farmers who are part of the project, who sow for their own consumption as well as for sale in organic farmers markets. Many Africans in Rhode Island come from villages where agriculture is a part of daily life. They come with the skills and knowledge to farm successfully, but face challenges while living in the city, including the lack of access to land and soil contamination. Bami Farm provides a place of opportunity for those families.

The Bami Farm plan shows four main farming areas throughout Bami Farm, all in the flattest areas with arable soil. Maintaining moisture in the plots during the summer remains one of the farm’s greatest challenges, so harvesting water near the sheds would be valuable in that it would narrow the distance from the water tank to the plots.

Typical farm plot leasing areas

North

Farming areas, besides being a source of economic income, also represent the opportunity to grow African vegetables, allowing farmers to continue consuming a healthy diet according to their traditions. This also gives a distinctive characteristic to the products sold at the market.

Pollinators are important allies in the success of a farm, without them both the quantity and quality of crops can be severely affected. A pollinator garden is an area cultivated primarily with flowers that, by producing specific nectar and pollen, attract pollinators such as butterflies, bees, flyes, or wasps.

Plants that are native to the region are more resistant, require less maintenance, and tend to be healthier.

The planters have been located near the Snake Den paths and proposed in various heights, for aesthetic qualities but also so they provide a better barrier. Possible plant selections for Bami Farm include: Maryland golden-aster, long-headed windflower, white snakeroot, milkweed, and yellow wild indigo.

It is also necessary to include a shelter for the bees to rest and nest. Mason bee houses will be placed near the pollinator gardens as well as on the external walls of the sheds. These bees are not aggressive and have a very positive impact on the development of edible crops. Their houses are located to receive sun from early hours and at a minimum height of 6 feet from the ground. In addition, a specific area is created for a number of top bar hives that require beekeeping. Top bar hives are inspired by traditional hives in some African countries, so they correspond culturally to the project.

The Project: Landscaping

POLLINATOR GARDENS

A

B

BIOSWALE

A - Bioswale

Vegetation

12”

3”

12”

6”

Gravel & top soil

6”

Sand

12”

Perforated pipe with filter fabric

A method of storm water managment on site includes the incorporation of a bioswale and a rock wash area to convey and direct rainwater off a consistantly wet area on the main farm path. The bioswale is a vegetated channel designed to direct stormwater runoff and is beneficial to recharge groundwater, creating a small habitat that attracts birds and butterflies. At the bioswale, rainwater is directed through a pipe underground, underneath the path and released in a designated rock splash zone near the pond, keeping the path dry and accessible.

6”

12”

12” 3” 12”

The Project: Landscaping

6”

SHED 2 This new shed will be located at the circle gathering space. The large roof creates a shaded work area in front of a series of lockers for each farmer.

The shed include space for group signage, for water collection and for waste management.

This third shed will be located at the north end of Bami Farm at the last field. This shed is compact but has a roof that extends for rain collection.

The shed also include space for group signage, for water storage and for waste management.

The Project: Sheds

SHED 3

North

Planter fabrication drawings

GREENHOUSE PLAN

The arrangement and detailing of the high-tunnel style greenhouses is functional first, and extends the growing season, provides water and nutrients. The orientation optimizes solar gains in the winter, and the inflated polyethylene and ETFE covers hold in heat while the thermal mass of the interior water tanks retains heat that is released in the night. Enclosed compost stations integrated into an work stations and aquaponics area produces heat with the decomposition.

The space in between the greenhouses provides garden space and gathering space for elder and youth summer school. It could house raised bed for handicapped accessibility.

The Project: High Tunnel Greenhouses

GATHERING AND GREENHOUSES

Threshold Scheme:

North South Scheme:

Sun Path analysis (daylighting period in winter: 09:00 am - 03:00 pm):

Solar energy gain diagram: Underheated period (10/25 - 4/20)

Underheated period (10/25 - 4/20)

560.5 kWh/m2 200 kWh/m2

390 kWh/m2

200 kWh/m2

Scheme 0

N

Scheme 3 0

N

East West - Gathering Scheme:

Sun Path analysis (daylighting period in winter: 09:00 am - 03:00 pm):

ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSE

Underheated period (10/25 - 4/20)

60 kWh/m2

560.5 kWh/m2

Scheme 4 0

Winter Strongest Wind Direction

N

Students conducted a series of energy and light studies and found that by orientating the greenhouses long sides east/west, we can improve the annual performance. The placement of the greenhouses along with an inflated membrane maximizes the daylight levels throughout the year, while also maximizing solar heat gains in the winter.

The east/west scheme works with prevailing winds. In summer, with the side walls rolled up, the breezes run across the greenhouse long side. Fans at each end will be temperature controlled if additional air flow is needed.

In the winter, the forest blocks the cold breezes while the short end of the greenhouse faces the breeze reducing impact of wind.

The Project:

Summer Most Common Wind

Solar energy gain diagram:

raised beds

rainwater collection

picnic tables

planters awning for vines

No

rth

trellis at fence

Wheelchair accessible beds 4’

4’

Section A showing the community gather space between the two greenhouses.

GREENHOUSE DETAILS The end walls are outfitted with an ETFE membrane, a polycarbonate double door for trucks or people, and automated louvers. The thermoplastic ETFE was chosen because of its durabilty, light transmittance and resistance to heat flow. The membrane is sealed to create inflated pillows which acts as a thermal barrier with an R-value of 4. The endwall membrane will be printed with multi-colored patterns signage.

The trellis provides a covering and shade at the entry ways and provide a structure of the two 200 watt solar panels to run fans and pumps. The trellis is extended from the greenhouse structure and are shaped into branching structures that allow for vertical farming. The trellis protects the greenhouse from the path and the roads.

A water collection system is integrated into the greenhouse, with collection from the membranes and water storage tanks located both outside and inside below planters and work surfaces.

20’

Work table

5’

30’

Shelf cabinets

Locker cabinets Hydroponic farming

Indoor water tank (60” x 66”)

Sink

Indoor water tank (30” x 2.5” x 2.5”) with a work/sitting

Section B showing the North wall

Outdoor water tank (72” x 66”)

Children’s planter beds

Interior plan

6’

Outdoor washing station

Average of 3,763 gallons per month falls on to the North side of the roof

Water flows into the gutter

V= 1,593 ft2 x 0.35 feet per month rain x 0.90 x 7.5 gallons/ft3 = 3,763 gallons per month Outdoor tank

Open water for hydroponic farming

Indoor tank

Indoor tank

Sink

Rain-water collection diagram

‘First flush’ drainage Gutter

Over flow spout Hose connection 30°

masonry retaining wall 3’ extension into ground

Section C

Rain-water collection detailing

B

Getting Situated parking

Harris Brown cemetery

Getting greenhouses shed 1 vegetables gathering Situated

pollinator bioswale reflection garden garden

shed 3

SIGNAGE The signage is meant to tell the story about the African Alliance, the farmers and describe the characteristics of the farm. The signage highlights food, common to all, as an overarching theme, describing the particular crops and farming techniques.

The series of three sizes of signs are developed to emphasize the diverse community that makes up the AARI. Colors and icons are used to identify different zones. The design elements and text were developed with a consistent language to reflect AARI’s goals of community interaction, family support, and improved nutrition, while making visitors feel welcome as well as asking them to be respectful of the activities going on.

LARGE SIGNAGE 5 ft

Proposed

MEDIUM SIGNAGE 3.5 ft

2 ft

SMALL SIGNAGE 17 in

12 in

Existing

The Project: Signage

3.5 ft

LARGE ENTRY SIGN

MEDIUM SIGNS

MEDIUM SIGNS

SMALL SIGNS

SMALL SIGNS

SMALL SIGNS

SMALL SIGNS

Project Implementation

NEXT STEPS

RISD COMMUNITY BUILD DAYS

BUDGET

After all approvals have been finalized, The plan is to build the greenhouse structures and finish the construction of the existing shed on the site.

Building Futures will build one of the greenhouses with guidance from Nifty Hoops, the Greenhouse supplier. Meanwhile two RISD summer assistants will finalize mockups of the special pieces and make plans for the fall build with RISD’s Center for Student Involvement.

The second greenhouse will be built by RISD during a two-day community build event that will be open to all RISD students. The community build will involve multiple student groups of 5 individuals working for a half day. We will have team leaders who will help with organizing transportation, tools, cleanup and food.

High Tunnel Greenhouse = $19,200.00 each Mock up and Special Components = $2,000 Shed = $500 each RISD transportation & community build = $1,000 RISD Graduate Assistants = $10,500

Each student group will be tasked with different projects, Building the greenhouse will be done in 4 phases, installing the footings, the structure, the membrane and the special elements. In addition, students will be working with the Johnston Historical Society to clean the cemetery and make it more accessible to all. Finally, we will assist in clearing and marking paths and planting perennial gardens.

FUNDING

The proposal includes several items that would be built in a second phase. These elements include the pollinator garden/gates, bioswale, 2 sheds, a rainwater collection system for the greenhouse, greenhouse workstations and an aquaponics system for the greenhouse interior.

PHASING CONSTRUCTION Summer 2020 Planning for Building Futures build Building Futures build Greenhouse 1 Planning for RISD community build Finalize Shed 1 Fundraise for remaining elements Fall 2020 RISD community build

RISD BUILD TEAM LEADERS (returning from spring class) Shivani Agarwal | Architecture Bareeq Bahman | Landscape Architecture Lilah Cooperman | Industrial Design Yifan Du | Industrial Design Chelsey Frost, NCSS Valeria Ramirez Ensastiga, NCSS Weiyi Xia | Architecture Xin Wang | Architecture Dave Waite | Architecture | Research Assistant Quinn Wilcox | Architecture | Research Assistant Laura Briggs | Faculty | Architecture

Total Budget for First Phase: $52,400

Funding for the project is coming from multiple sources. The Gilbane Building Company is donating time to clear and prepare the land.

Building Futures, will assist with building the one greenhouse. A NRCS high tunnel grant and the Champlin Foundation support the greenhouses.

RISD is supporting student transportation and food for the community build and assistantships and materials purchases for mock ups from a Professional Development Grant.

URBAN AGRICULTURE

Davidoff, Paul. “Advocacy and Pluralism in Planning,” Journal of the American Institute of Planners. 1965.

Gehl, Jan, “Life Between Buildings” 1971 and work on human behavior. http://gehlpeople.com/ Markusen, Ann & Gadwa, Anne. Creative PlaceMaking, National Endowment for the Arts, The Mayors’ Institute on City Design,, 2010.

http://farmhack.org/tools AnderBois, Sue. Relish Rhody, Rhode Island Food Strategy, The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, January 2017.

Benyus, Janine. Biomimicry: Innovation Inspired by Nature. New York: W. Morrow, 2002.

Coleman, Eliot. The New Organic Grower: A Master’s Manual of Tools and Techniques for the Home and Market Gardener, 2nd Edition. Post Mills, VT: Chelsea Green Publishing, 1989, 1995.

Crowder + Reganold, “Financial Competitiveness Organic Agriculture on a Global Scale”, 2015.

Jackson, Wes and Piper, Jon. The Necessary Marriage Between Ecology and Agriculture. Ecology 70 (6), 1989, pp. 1091-1993.

Jackson, Wes, Natural Systems Agriculture: A Truly Radical Alternative Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment 88 (2002) 111–117.

Kinder, Geoff and Miller-Donnelly, Collaborative & Regenerative Land Management with Livestock Mass Audubon Allens Pond Wildlife Sanctuary with Round the Bend Farm and Paradox Acres. 2018.

Leopald, Aldo, Meine, Curt editor. A Sand County almanac & other writings on ecology & conservation, New York: Library of America, 2013.

Lowenfels, Jeff and Wayne Lewis. Teaming with Microbes: The Organic Gardener’s Guide to the Soil Food Web. Portland: Timber Press, 2010.

Nearing, Helen & Scott. The Good Life, Schocken Books, 1954, 1998.

Ohlson, Kristin. The Soil Will Save Us, Rodale Books, 2014.

Penniman, Leah. Farming While Black: Soul Fire Farm’s Practical Guide to Liberation on the Land, Chelsea Green Publishing, 2018.

Pollan, Michael. Omnivore’s Dilemma, Penguin Press, 2006 Rodale, J.I., The Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening, Rodale Press, 1959 Schiller, Lindsey with Marc Plinke. The year-round solar greenhouse: how to design and build a net-zero energy greenhouse. Gabriola, BC: New Society Publishers, 2016.

Spade, Sue. Green Acres, Artist Farming Fields, Greenhouses and Abandoned Lots, Catalogue for exhibition at the Contemporary Arts Center in Cincinnati, OH. 2012.

HIGHTUNNEL + GREENHOUSE DESIGN https://www.niftyhoops.com/support Bellow, Patrick, & Davey, Meredith, Atelier Ten, Green : House | Green : Engineering Environmetal Design at Gardens by the Bay, Oro Editions, 2012.

Coleman, Eliot. Four Season Harvest: Organic Vegetables from Your Home Garden All Year Round, Post Mills, VT: Chelsea Green Pub, 1999.

Mefford, Andrew. The Greenhouse and Hoophouse Grower’s Handbook: Organic Vegetable Production Using Protected Culture. Post Mills, VT: Chelsea Green Publishing, 2017.

Nelson, Paul V. Greenhouse Operation and Management (7th Edition), London: Pearson, 2011.

Osentowski, Jerome. The Forest Garden Greenhouse: How to Design and Manage an Indoor Permaculture Oasis, Post Mills, VT: Chelsea Green Publishing, 2015.

Mattson, Neil, Greenhouse Lighting, Cornell University, Cornell Cooperative Extension Proksch, Gundula. Creating Urban Agricultural Systems: An Integrated Approach to Design, Routledge, 2017.

Schiller, L. + Plinke, M., The Year Round Solar Greenhouse, New Society Publisher, 2016.

Bibliography and Resources

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND HUMAN VALUES

This book was produced in May 2020.

The book is set in Apple SD Gothic Neo. Book design adapted from Enrico Giori BARCH 2021

Rhode Island School of Design Urban Farming Spring 2020