RuckusRoots

A.L.I.V.E. (Art Living in Vibrant Environments) by RuckusRoots unites art, plants, and people to transform industrialized and underutilized urban areas into thriving hubs of STEAM education. With three established A.L.I.V.E. sites at youth-centered spaces in South LA and South Bay, we are ready to implement a cohesive program plan that engages participants in three topics: urban microfarms, native plant education, and responsive, community-led artworks.

A.L.I.V.E. by RuckusRoots creates vibrant, green spaces in urban Los Angeles communities by uniting plants, art and people. By offering supportive programming, resources and tools to meet needs in three key areas: food gardens, native plants and community-led artworks, A.L.I.V.E transforms industrialized and underutilized urban areas into thriving micro-habitats. This program not only fosters food sovereignty, biodiversity and beautification; it also builds climate resilience and overall wellbeing for Los Angeles' under-resourced residents.

The Rebel Garden Project (RGP) offers an opportunity for South L.A. teens and young adults to become empowered in climate resilience and food sovereignty while working towards entrepreneurial careers in creative or food-based fields. Besides learning how to build and cultivate urban food gardens, participants can learn how to start a certified farmers market in their own community, helping address both income inequality and the food desert issue in South L.A.

The connections and joy fostered through the preparation and sharing of food span across time and culture; RuckusRoots and FEAST aim to honor this tradition in The Play with Your Food Project, which strives to increase physical and social wellbeing in underrepresented Los Angeles communities. This holistic program combines healthy food access and education with dynamic arts experiences for food insecure families, providing free produce (from local farmers’ markets), healthy cooking classes and interdisciplinary arts workshops for youth!