Grown in Detroit: Film and Panel April 3, 2012

In the once thriving city of Detroit, residents now struggle to find fresh produce. The Catherine Ferguson Academy for Young Women in Detroit is one of only three schools in the U.S. that educates pregnant teens and young mothers about the importance of nutrition and helps them develop skills making them independent and able to support their families. Though students initially dislike the agricultural work included in the charter school’s curriculum, their attitudes change when crops begin to bear fruit, and they see their hard work has transform into profitable food sales. Mascha and Manfred Poppenk, the creators of the award-winning documentary, “Grown in Detroit,” and a panel of U-M faculty will discuss, and show clips from, their award winning film – “Grown in Detroit ” about the amazing work done at the Catherine Ferguson Academy. The film has won dozens of awards since its debut in 2010. More information about the film including the trailer can be found here: http://www.grownindetroitmovie.com/index.php This event is sponsored by the U-M Library, Program in the Environment, the Goldring Family Foundation, Semester in Detroit, the Residential College, the Detroit Center, the Penny Stamps Lecture Series, and the Department of Afro-American and African Studies.