From Vacant Lot in Phoenix To Vibrant Harvest: Juana Silva’s Story And The Power Of A Growing Community

Living in the desert has taught her something powerful: even in Arizona’s harsh climate, it is still possible to grow your own food.
By Garden Blog
Desert Botanical Garden
FEB 26, 2026
Excerpt:
Growing the flavors of Oaxaca, Juana’s favorite crop to grow is chiles costeños, a pepper deeply connected to her home of Oaxaca, Mexico. Growing these peppers allows her to stay connected to her culture and bring the flavors of home to her family and community. She also enjoys growing seasonal crops that thrive in Arizona’s desert climate, embracing the rhythm of the seasons and the lessons each harvest brings. Sharing the harvest, Juana doesn’t grow food just for herself. She shares it widely, with fellow promotoras, community members, and anyone who may need fresh food.
At Spaces of Opportunity, growing food naturally becomes an act of generosity and connection. Growing healthy, curious and confident farming has transformed Juana’s life in ways she didn’t expect. Harvesting her own food has helped her eat healthier and explore new ingredients and recipes. Through Spaces, she has learned about foods from other cultures and communities, including okra, which she has used the seeds in her coffee. She has experimented with cucumbers from the Middle East and discovered new dishes like ensalada de nopal, a cactus salad that has become one of her favorites. Although nopales weren’t part of her childhood in southern Mexico, she discovered and embraced the dish through her growing journey at Spaces of Opportunity. Simple, fresh and nourishing, ensalada de nopal reflects the spirit of the farm: learning, sharing, and growing together.
Read the complete article here.
Source: https://cityfarmer.info/from-vacant-lot-in-phoenix-to-vibrant-harvest-juana-silvas-story-and-the-power-of-a-growing-community/
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