Several Citizens Energy Group employees recently helped The Parks Alliance of Indianapolis expand its multi-disciplinary urban farm on the east side to provide additional fresh produce for local families in need.
Indy Urban Acres began in 2011 as an initiative of The Parks Alliance to inspire transformational change within Indy’s food system by providing food for low-income families and developing entrepreneurial skills in young farmers. Since then, this urban farm has grown into a three-site system that harvests and distributes more than 60,000 pounds of fresh, organic produce for free to Indy residents.
The farm’s main site can be found just off of 21st Street, near I-465 and I-70. Recently, a new plot of land was donated to Indy Urban Acres by Faith United Methodist Church. In order to grow produce at this new location near 16th Street and Post Road, The Parks Alliance needed to add infrastructure for irrigation.
Because of Citizens’ long-time support of The Parks Alliance through projects such as Sharing the Dream, The Parks Alliance reached out to Crit Crabtree, Manager of Facility Operations, to inquire about the process of adding water service for the three-acre plot.
Crabtree shared more about the project with Citizens colleagues including Paul Dicken, Director, Water Distribution; Jim Allen, Distribution Maintenance Manager; Jim Bennett, Manager, Gas Distribution; and members of the Corporate Sponsorship and Philanthropy Team.
Because the project aligns with Citizens’ commitment to enhancing the quality of life in Central Indiana, excitement grew throughout the company at the prospect of helping Indy Urban Acres nearly double its annual harvest, from 60,000 pounds to 100,000 pounds of fresh produce. Several employees discussed how Citizens could best support this expansion.
“Our field crews jumped at the chance to work on a community project together,” said Dicken. “This was a great display of our gas and water operations employees working together and using their skills to make a positive impact on the community.”
Dicken contacted partner company Ferguson Waterworks and asked for a material discount for the project. Hearing about the positive impact this work would have on the community, Ferguson offered to donate all the materials needed to add water service to the property. Employees from Water Distribution and Gas Distribution, including Nick Polley, James Noble, Jake Goodin, Shane Hinesley, David Hilyard, EJ Duncan, Shawn Weeks, Derek Storm, Rusty Anderson, Nate Schiller, and Michael Clemens, installed the infrastructure, including the piping system and hydrants.
Indy Urban Acres Director Tyler Gough said, “We are very appreciative of all that Citizens has done to help us create a food oasis in a food desert through access to safe and clean water.”
Citizens also is proud to be the presenting sponsor of the ninth annual Farmraiser, a fundraising event for Indy Urban Acres, this coming September.
Top right: Shawn Weeks (above ground) and David Hilyard (in the trench) work together to install the piping system at Urban Acres' newest location.
