About Us
Our Story
Shirley Bell is a third generation resident of Cleveland's Mt Pleasant community. RevLove is a half acre farm located twenty steps away from her home's front door. RevLove Farm has been the home of over 150 interns ranging from high school to college level over the last 3 years. Last year alone with the assistance of their young people they provided over 750 pounds of produce to their local community.
As they expand the program to run year round they are building upon the foundational agricultural education to solidify the skills necessary for pathways into a food system career/business. The curriculum that has been refined over the past 3 years is a creative experience in agricultural skills, life skills, and workforce development centered training. This group of 20 young people ages 14 - 25 will build upon their passion, education, and exposure to a pathway in the local food system. This co-op of young people within the program will be the voting committee that guides decisions of this project.
The stipulation of voting members being limited individuals ages 18-25 years old will be made to ensure that the project maintains its value of filling the gap of young people represented in the ecosystem that is Cleveland’s food system. Since 2017 Rev Love has designed and managed art focused programming geared to developing emotionally intelligent juveniles that are preparing for reentry. She is now incorporating farming, sustainability and policy work into the curriculum.
We started with three raised beds.
What We Do
EOIM operates RevLove Urban Farm growing food, hosting community events, and hosting youth programming. This is the physical space of the organization. RevLove provides the space necessary for healing from past violence in addition to a space the community can contribute to as a symbol of pride. We host formal events such as Fall Fest and field trips but also provide a space for the informal experiences in life.
When community members walk by the farm and spend 30 minutes chatting and taking a work break, this is the foundation of building a thriving community. Every Friday from June-September is Market Day where fresh produce is harvested and given away within hours. RevLove is not only addressing basic needs by providing free produce, but the need for hope. Since 2017 the farm has been changing the narrative of a community once held captive in the aftermath of unspeakable violence.
Our Vision
RevLove is a community space for healing, growing, and learning.
Latest Press News
February 26, 2024
Cleveland Hoping New Tool Will Address City's Surplus of Vacant Lots
CLEVELAND — City leaders and neighbors alike acknowledge that Cleveland faces an issue with vacant lots. With more than 18,000 residential parcels in its Land Bank inventory, the city is second in the country for vacant land.
