A Farmer in Camden
Alonso Heredia
Courier-Post
A man working a piece of land is not peculiar.
Yet, when this land is part of hundreds of empty lots in Camden, peculiar it may seem.
It is moving to see Agustin Cordero, 81 years old, bending over the furrows of his small vegetable garden located at 24th and High Street.
This location in the eastern side of the city is one of the most conflict-ridden areas in Camden.
Cordero’s garden is just a block away from the business corridor on Federal Street, but is desolated and breathes hopelessness.
Several houses that have been abandoned for many years have weeds growing around their sidewalks. Drug dealers patiently wait for their customers in nearby alleys. It is almost as if they were selling candy or lemonade in broad daylight.
Only the perfectly aligned tomatoes, cabbages, peas, green and red peppers, and fava beans from Puerto Rico coloring Cordero’s garden give the area a touch of light.
As a retired construction worker, Cordero had become restless three years ago because the city left an empty lot in front of his property after demolishing a house that was in ruins.
Weeds and garbage grew freely on the plot, and it turned into temporary housing for criminals.
Cordero asked the municipal council if he could adopt the lot. His request was approved with the condition he had to clean the area and could not build anything on the land.
His task began immediately. He installed a wire fence, cleaned the lot, dug the furrows, spread organic fertilizers and planted the first seeds.
He obtained the first fruits after taking care of the land as “you would a beautiful girl,” he says. He has harvested three times since then.
Cordero does not sell these products. He takes some to his house and gives the surplus to his family and friends. Even passersby will get a few vegetables if they notice the fruit of his labor.
Why did he think of starting this garden there? “First of all,” Cordero says, “I am a man of work, and can still do something useful for the place where I live.”
Although Camden has deteriorated severely, much can still be done to make the city better even by doing the unthinkable like planting a garden, Cordero also says.
Cordero wants Camden residents to pay attention and realize it is possible to rescue the city from decadence.
Agustin Cordero has lived in the house across his garden since 1957. A big United Sates flag waves in the front and peace is felt as you enter his place.
His wife Antonia, 77, says she is happy to be able to prepare delicious dishes with vegetables from her husband’s garden. “Fresh vegetables, with no pesticides and mostly grown with much love. That's why they are so good,” she says.
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