A chill fall breeze drifted through the Brothers’ Keepers garden as community members moved slowly between batches of kale, mint, and herbs, checking what was still thriving in the cool air. Among them were teenage sisters Anna and Juda Mosley, clipping leaves to take home after a long afternoon of work.
At 13 and 16, respectively, Anna and Juda have spent more time in gardens than most of their peers. They’re part of the Gary Food Council’s Junior Master Gardener program, a youth initiative that has turned empty city lots into spaces for learning and community.
Launched in 2022, the program teaches local teens about food education, urban agriculture, and sustainability while giving them hands-on experience in gardens across Gary. For Anna and Juda, it has grown into something personal. They see it as a way to give back to their neighbors and show how small efforts — a seed, a leaf, a habit — can make a difference.
“I wanted to help the community, especially those at Brothers’ Keeper,” Juda said. She has been part of the program for three years and considers it her first job.
“We’ve had people come in and pick what they want, and it’s just nice being that resource for them,” she said.
Part of the Gary Food Council’s goal is to strengthen the local food system while cultivating a love for gardening and the work that comes with it — all so residents can enjoy healthy, locally grown produce.
“This is for our health,” said Alma Wilkes, treasurer of the council and overseer of the program, on its importance. “We’re in a polluted area. Black people have health disparities, and it’s an easy way to get people interested in knowing about health.”
As the sisters walked around naming different plants, they assisted some community members who had started picking mint and other herbs growing in the garden.
“I like meeting new people here,” Anna said, smiling. She was too young at first, but now, at 13, she’s been part of the program for two years after her sister and brother got involved. “It really does attract a lot of people here, and that’s what I really like about it.”
A strong believer in self-sufficiency, Wilkes is excited to see the young people’s spirit for the garden. If anything, it brings her comfort in knowing that they care about the work they’re doing.
“It’s so amazing. People stop all the time when they see the young people, because it’s so inspiring,” Wilkes said.
As the temperatures drop, they’re spending their last few weeks in the garden until next spring. But during the winter, they’ll work online to learn more about food education.
While their flower pot, painted bright colors, sits in the back, clinging to the last little bit of sunlight, it stands as a hope for what the next growing season will look like.
“I’ve always wanted to grow my own plants at home,” Anna said. Eating healthier than most her age, she takes a lot of food home to cook for her family members. As she walked around the garden, she picked some kale, tomatoes, and mint to take home with her.
“Anna is always coming out of here with a bag,” her sister joked. “But she’s a great cook. If I see her on Master Chef one day, I won’t be surprised.”
Hoping to own her own bakery when she’s older, Anna said a program like this allows her to understand the healthiest and best options to use when cooking.
When they aren’t pruning weeds or spreading mulch, Juda can be found roller skating, and Anna can be found working out. The two, along with Wilkes, are excited to see what the next year brings.
“I know it’s making a huge impact,” said Wilkes about the program. “You can see that spark when they learn something and it’s sunk in.”