OT: #EATING gardens and tailgating with me- Vincent Smith
Hello everyone,
Another exciting season for Michigan Football and tailgating and gardens. For those of you who do not know, I have made a career change in my retirement from Football into farming.
We have a project called #EATING and we athletes build gardens side by side with members from our communities. We started in Florida in my and Martavious Odoms home town of Pahokee, Florida and we have been in Flint since summer 2015. It is the most rewarding experience of my life.
The focus is that green vegetables helps get the lead out and reduce the effects of lead exposure and that is the most important thing for the children of Flint right now. Also seeing us athletes makes them want to garden.
So this season we are going to be walking around the tailgate again but this time with fresh vegetables to share! (Vegetables are from our partner farm grows outside Flint city limits- the Flint gardens produce goes to people in Flint) Please message us at [email protected] and we will swing by with something fresh.
you can read more about us at : teamgardens.org
you can order awesome #EATING shirts at shopeating.com and show your support and fund our work
I wanted to share my favorite garden picture so far. Its our Team Gardens member with his son.
September 1st, 2016 at 7:07 AM ^
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September 1st, 2016 at 7:32 AM ^
Thanks we are even expanding in Flint and its getting more exciting.
September 1st, 2016 at 7:22 AM ^
Hope all is well and glad to hear you are out there doing what you love and making a difference. Go blue!
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September 1st, 2016 at 7:32 AM ^
Cool we can match
September 1st, 2016 at 7:23 AM ^
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September 1st, 2016 at 7:33 AM ^
Thanks we are going to keep the wheels moving
September 1st, 2016 at 7:28 AM ^
Leaders and Best
September 1st, 2016 at 7:33 AM ^
GO BLUE!!
September 1st, 2016 at 7:40 AM ^
I am liking the lounge pants. going to grab a pair. Keep up the good work!!
September 1st, 2016 at 8:22 AM ^
Thanks the lounge pants are supercool.
September 1st, 2016 at 7:44 AM ^
Thanks for posting this morning. I meant to donate last time you posted. Just did. Really like this project and the love you seem to have for it shows. Thanks MrSmith!
September 1st, 2016 at 8:23 AM ^
Thanks it feels great to have a Michigan family and together we are making a difference. I came here because of the difference and I am proud to be apart of it.
September 1st, 2016 at 7:46 AM ^
September 1st, 2016 at 8:24 AM ^
I can say the same thing I miss it too. I am proud of everything that makes an impact and proud of my education. Pretty sure the upcoming year 3rd downs are going to be back how they were.
September 1st, 2016 at 7:46 AM ^
September 1st, 2016 at 8:24 AM ^
Thanks the more people that know the bigger we can get and the more people we can feed and help.
September 1st, 2016 at 7:47 AM ^
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September 1st, 2016 at 8:24 AM ^
Obligatory
September 1st, 2016 at 10:14 AM ^
4th and 1 finger guns are even more awesome!
September 1st, 2016 at 8:25 AM ^
bang bang
September 1st, 2016 at 7:59 AM ^
Keep it going!
GO BLUE!!
September 1st, 2016 at 8:25 AM ^
GO BLUE can't wait to see them this weekend.
September 1st, 2016 at 8:00 AM ^
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September 1st, 2016 at 8:26 AM ^
I will be there, wouldn't miss it. We are going to enjoy this nice victory.
September 1st, 2016 at 8:03 AM ^
I've long been an "urban farmer" and I am a huge proponent of healthy eating and grow (and brew) your own as much as you can. This project is wonderful! Recently I bought a house in Tampa and started gardening down here (moved from MI) - man, it's so different than up north. It's like relearning how to ride a bike.
Anyhow, I am a proud supporter of #Eating Keep up the great work!
September 1st, 2016 at 8:27 AM ^
Florida gardening you can get tropical fruit like Starfruit or Lychee. I love the little bananas that taste like apples. We will have to exchange notes as its all new to me up here in Michigan. I want to bring the Paw Paw back, Michigan's only tropical like fruit.
September 1st, 2016 at 9:20 AM ^
I guess that's my problem then - I am trying to grow what I grew up north. Mostly peppers, eggplants and tomatoes. The eggplants are doing really well; but the tomatoes failed (too hot per the local garden store - I should start, well, today and grow through Christmas); and the peppers are producing a small amount of fruits, but the leaves are getting very small and wilted at the top. They're either diseased or lacking in some nutrition. ... My fiancee just got me a passionfruit vine. I hope that one takes!
As for Michigan - any berries (strawberry, blueberry, raspberry, ect) and of course apples and cherries are your best fruit choices.
I think the growing seasons and all these [redacted] bugs down here are the main differences.
September 1st, 2016 at 11:28 PM ^
Thanks for the tips and thats my next goal in Flint is to put berry bushes EVERYWHERE. In Florida, Moringa grows really well and it is really high in protein and minerals. Also mangos are pretty easy to maintain.
September 1st, 2016 at 8:08 AM ^
September 1st, 2016 at 8:28 AM ^
GO blue!
September 1st, 2016 at 8:15 AM ^
With all the talk about "taking a stand" in the news this week dealing with Colin Kaepernick, all I can say it is great to have people like you and Tay going out there and doing the hands on work to help bring about positive change in a community.
"The work is on the outsidee, staring out the windows is for love songs and houseflies"
September 1st, 2016 at 8:29 AM ^
We all are trying to help out in our own way and I hope more and more people start to reach out to their communities and try new things.
September 1st, 2016 at 8:50 AM ^
Vincent,
Are you going to be doing any more of these tailgates this season, like at the Wisconsin game?
September 1st, 2016 at 11:28 PM ^
Yes and maybe my pickles will be ready by then
September 1st, 2016 at 8:55 AM ^
Thanks so much for doing something so worthwhile, that makes a real difference. We all love football. This is more important. Thank you.
September 1st, 2016 at 11:29 PM ^
I am so thankful for the opportunity and support we have
September 1st, 2016 at 8:55 AM ^
Good choice! And good work!
September 1st, 2016 at 11:29 PM ^
Thanks and it means a lot
September 1st, 2016 at 11:33 AM ^
Anytime a Michigan Wolverine football player posts to this board, the topic should not be labeled as OT!
Vincent, I admire the work that you are doing in Florida and Michigan. Kids need to understand where their food comes from, spend time outdoors, and keep occupied in positive group activities. Gardening is healthy for the mind, body, and soul! Go Blue!
September 1st, 2016 at 11:30 PM ^
GO BLUE I agree completely.
September 1st, 2016 at 9:10 AM ^
Why is this not a segment on BTN/ESPN/FS1?
September 1st, 2016 at 9:23 AM ^
Michigan Stadium should even have a short video board piece showing what a difference MrSmith is making and perhaps make it even more visible to the Michigan community...really a no brainer.
GREAT JOB AND GO BLUE!!!
September 1st, 2016 at 11:31 PM ^
Thanks for your support and I am just being patient. The time will come.
September 1st, 2016 at 9:14 AM ^
September 1st, 2016 at 11:31 PM ^
Very funny and sound like it was put to good use.
September 1st, 2016 at 9:34 AM ^
September 1st, 2016 at 11:32 PM ^
Couldn't have done it without the Michigan Family.
September 1st, 2016 at 9:42 AM ^
Mr. Smith, I cannot tell you how proud this project and all of you invloved make me feel. Truly, truly inspiring. I wish I could do more than donate financially, unfortunately being a long way from MI now makes that a challenge. Thanks for all you do, I can't wait to see the good and positive impact this will continue to have on real people. Go blue!
September 1st, 2016 at 11:33 PM ^
GO BLUE and thanks for your words of appreciation and make sure to eat your greens.
September 1st, 2016 at 9:43 AM ^