Ron Finley: Empowering Urban Gardeners

Written By Lara Wadsworth

Have you ever wondered why gardening is often associated with retired individuals or hippies these days? I often do, and think this should change. Ron Finley, a Los Angeles-based fashion designer and urban gardener, also thinks that should change. He is working to empower people from all walks of life to garden and put the power of home-grown food into the hands of the everyday consumer.

Ron Finley resides in South-Central Los Angeles, one of the largest urban food desserts in the United States. Not only are the citizens of this area typically living in poverty, but they also have to drive 45 minutes or more in order to get access to fresh produce. Fast food and convenience stores are the main sources of food in these areas. As a result, the people there have much higher obesity rates than people in cities immediately adjacent to theirs, such as Pasadena and Beverly Hills. Ron saw this issue and decided to do something small to make a big difference.

He decided to plant the small dirt patch in front of his home between the sidewalk and the street with vegetables and other edible plants. The community loved it. Unfortunately, someone tattled and told the city. Apparently, the City of Los Angeles actually owned that particular untended patch of dirt, and they didn’t like that Ron had beautified it. The City told Ron he had to remove the plants or face serious consequences. They considered gardening without a permit vandalism. Vandalism!!! In my opinion, they should have said, “Thanks, Ron! Here’s another patch of dirt we could care less about.” But… no.

Turning the Tables On Food Insecurity

Ron's fight with the City of Los Angeles was a turning point in his life. It was kind of a wakeup call to him and others who got involved. It marked the beginning of a horticultural revolution that has since gone global. His gardens now dot the landscape of Los Angeles, and his ideas have resonated with people worldwide. His message is simple yet powerful: gardening is freedom. Today, he's known as the Gangsta Gardener, a symbol of rebellion against food insecurity.

As ridiculous as it seems, it took a legal citation to rouse the world to this insane issue. People all over the world do not have access to fresh produce. I’m not just talking about famine in foreign countries. I’m talking people who live in the heart of Chicago, Detroit, Seattle, Los Angeles, and other large cities. Shouldn’t they have an even easier time accessing food than others? All they need to get access to it is education! Ron Finley has taken action and is actively empowering and educating people so that they can take their freedom and health into their own hands.

As food prices continue to rise, it is easy to see the importance of gardening. Yet, it is also easy to see how it is inaccessible to many people. If you live in a small apartment without a balcony, it may seem impossible to grow food. But what about the strip of land next to the road? Why can’t that be a garden? We need to challenge society’s ideas of landscaping and gardening. Ron’s purpose is to give people a chance to change their circumstances through challenging societal expectations and pressures.

Lessons Learned

This message is incredibly inspiring to me. I have seen the effects of poverty and lack of healthy food. What is insane is that it is preventable. Ron says, “Growing your own food is like printing your own money!” If that doesn’t make gardening desirable, I don’t know what would! We need to rip down these customs and taboos around gardening. It can be beautiful and accessible.

If you learn anything from Ron, I hope that it's this: He was just a guy with some resources who put them to good use. Are you any different? Seeds, soil, light, water. That’s all it takes to get started. Learning about Ron has made me realize that gardening puts fresh food into more hands. Gardening or even small-scale farming used to be something that everyone did. Now, it is almost viewed as a luxury to be able to garden. While some aspects can be luxurious and not easily attainable, gardening can be accessed by anyone with a desire. We need to change the food culture and encourage home gardening more often. But we have to actually do it. We cannot wait for a company or corporation to do it for us.

When I was a poor college kid living in an apartment, I thought I was powerless. I thought there was no way that I could have gardened. Now that I have more knowledge, I look back and realize that I could have container-gardened easily. I know now that I could definitely have grown some salad greens! That simple act of gardening would have improved my life in a small way and provided necessary micronutrients that I was no doubt lacking. Now I have the desire to share this with everyone!

The only difference between a novice gardener and a master gardener is education and experience. Both are attainable! These aren’t things people are born with; they are things people learn to do. Heck, I have a Bachelor’s in Horticulture and have had my own garden for about three years now, and I still feel like I have so much to learn. Don’t wait until the time is perfect. Even if you plant some seeds and they don’t thrive, at least you know! You can change something and try again. In my opinion, a green thumb is just patience, experience, and a positive attitude. Maybe that’s why hippies and old ladies are good at gardening.(;

Lara Wadsworth, True Leaf Market Writer

I am a native of Southwestern Michigan, where I also reside, and I love all things plants! I got a Bachelor's Degree in Horticulture and found the first work-from-home job I could get. Now, I spend my days writing for TLM, playing with my dog, eating delicious food with my husband, and plotting my next landscape or gardening move. I believe everyone should get down and dirty in the soil now and then. Happy Gardening!