Youth Connect With Saddle Brook Farm and Grow

By Jennifer L. Warren

WALDEN – “Curiosity that empowered the cat.”

Ali T. Muhammad used these five words to describe some of the magic that transpired last Wednesday afternoon at Saddle Brook Farm. The Founder of Melanin Unchained, has this thing with word play, placing his own spin on common phrases, making them fit the occasion, something he mined from his father. It’s a passion that rivals some of his others: horses, urban farming and city cleanups.

All of those loves merged when Muhammad met Helen King, owner of Saddle Brook, and a potent vision emerged: Taking the athletes from his City of Newburgh Melanin Unchained program, a grassroots community organization on South Street in the City of Newburgh, on a “field trip” to the nearby Farm, exposing them to not only the animals, but essential tools for life. For four hours, youth, ages 12-17, had the unique opportunity to visit a new “ecosystem,” cleaning up a barn area, interacting with a wide array of animals, and simply bonding, while learning integral teamwork, responsibility and leadership.

“This is about exposure; let the kids-youth see it, touch it, feel it,” explained Muhammad about the concept’s overall vision. “From the first shovel of hay, to the first ride in a competition, that’s the journey we want to witness.”

The first steps of what is hoped to be a long, prosperous journey began Wednesday, as around 10 youth could be seen feeding horses bread, petting an assortment of farm dogs, interacting with other animals-such as Alpaca-they had never seen before, hoisting up planks of wood and separating them into piles while cleaning out a barn space, all the while learning, laughing and expanding their horizons. Overseeing it all was Muhammad, guiding them along with motivating words, instilling discipline, empathy and confidence.

“Many hands make light work.”

“Look at these piles of wood and what you have all accomplished together in a short amount of time; perspective is everything.”

“Teamwork. Teamwork.”

“Lock in!”

They were powerful words, as well as actions, that these young people felt, as they shared the experience during a lunch break, provided compliments of other Newburgh “partners;” Papa John’s Pizza, Dairy Plus Express and Halal 845. David Chocon Handy Man Service also lent a hand, supplies for youth-farm program and its restorative goals.

“At first I was a bit surprised when I found out about this day-event, but as a Captain of the basketball team and a two year member of this organization, I knew it was my responsibility to participate,” said Desirae Rice, a junior at Newburgh Free Academy’s Main Campus, who refers to Muhammad as ‘an amazing, inspiration,’ crediting to much of her growth. “So far, I think it’s been very beneficial to the youth; I -enjoyed motivating the volunteers to staying focused and being productive by doing some picture and video taking, and I have definitely learned different aspects of farm life, really unlocking my empathy being around the animals, seeing team bonding and being with peers in a new, different environment.”

The initiation of Muhammad’s long-term vision-one that includes basic equine care, learning about animal husbandry and environmental stewardship, riding horses, and other facets-is a win-win for both the youth and King, who could be seen delivering interesting details to them about the animals as well as providing detailed instructions prior to their assistance on the Farm.

“What’s better than unrelated communities coming together to help each other out,” said King. “We get the assistance we need, and they get an experience they would never otherwise have.”

The mission is to build upon those treasured moments, creating something extraordinary.
“I envision revitalization and urban regeneration where young folks and families can cultivate intergenerational bonding, storytelling and community building through farming, agriculture and God’s creations,” said Muhammad about the bigger picture of last week’s inaugural event. “Today, we took kids out of their environments into a new ecosystem, and I saw my athletes demonstrate leadership, discipline and curiosity that empowered the cat.”