Julia Keen Elementary School
Julia Keen Elementary School was one of 5 schools to be constructed using federal impact funds in 1953. The school was named after Julia Keen, a woman who taught in Tucson for nearly 45 years from 1908 to 1951, and helped to feed local school children during World War I. Located in Barrio Centro, the school itself opened in 1953 with 12 classrooms and an additional 9 classrooms were added at a later date.
A little over 50 years since its opening, Julia Keen Elementary was shut down. A flight path from Davis Monthan AFB passes directly over the school, and land use regulations and sound ordinances dictate that the noise caused by those flight paths are not to reach certain levels within residences and schools. The main concern was that the noise would interfere with student learning, and the issue very quickly turned into a struggle between the community and the air force base. One would have to go. Thus, despite the community advocating for the school to remain open, Julia Keen Elementary closed its doors in 2004. The former school would be leased by the nonprofit World Care from 2005-2013, and leased to Flowers and Bullets starting in January 2017.
Flowers and Bullets Collective
History
Flowers and Bullets was founded in 2012 by Tito Romero and Jacob Robles as a way to foster community and combat systemic inequalities through street art and graphic design as a form of resistance. Dora Martinez joined the collective a year later, and they began to implement the gardening component of the organization. Around this time they also began to spread their roots and focus on building community.
In 2016, Julia Keen Elementary was set to be purchased by a trucking company, but the community did not wish for the neighborhood to become more industrialized. Flowers and Bullets brought a proposal to the Tucson Unified School District to rent-to-buy the property, which was unanimously approved.
In 2018, Flowers and Bullets acquired two grants which allowed for them to truly begin to use the land. Between 2018 and 2019, they worked to lay the infrastructure for the current farm and community space, and began to establish itself as a resource for the neighborhood. They worked with members of the community to create a space that would best benefit everyone.
In 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic hindered the Collective's ability to provide for their community in the same ways as before, so they strove to be a resource that could be safely relied upon by the members of their community. In 2021, in-person events were able to resume.
In March 2023, the collective was able to fully purchase the former Julia Keen Elementary School, and began demolition later that year. They aim to renovate the remaining parts of the old school building, and create gathering/teaching spaces for community use.
Mission
“We reclaim our cultural roots and amplify them through sustainability, art, and rebellion to heal and empower our neighborhood.”
Flowers and Bullets aims to serve as an inclusive space that stands against gentrification, provide services for the neighborhood, and create an equitable, healthy, empowered, and engaged Barrio Centro.
Community Outreach
Flowers and Bullets hosts events at the farm and the surrounding area promoting art, traditional farming and cooking techniques, educational opportunities, and fostering community. During the start of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, with the aid of Thunder Canyon Brewery and other local businesses they provided hand sanitizer, masks, and other necessities for the community. Because they could not risk the safety of their community by continuing to host events, Flowers and Bullets held drive-through plant sales, developed ways to safely provide produce for those in need, and otherwise support their community safely and from a distance. About a year later in 2021, community events resumed and they are back on track to provide their neighborhood with in-person resources and support.
“With their mission to establish and support sustainable and healthy living, the collective looks forward to building and creating a space of healing, health, and sustainability for communal gatherings and future generations.”
The Fire
In February 2023 Julia Keen Elementary caught fire. The cause is unknown, but the building was severely damaged. Flowers and Bullets was able to fully purchase the land from TUSD by covering the cost of demolishing the building.
The Farm
Flowers and Bullets hosts art workshops, planting and harvest events, pay-what-you-can plant sales, movie nights, volunteer events, and more. The farm contains a chicken coop, a goat pen, a greenhouse, water harvesting systems, several fields, community garden plots, and other planting spaces. They have grown several varieties of vegetable, including corn, onions, beans, bananas, squash, and peas. They strive to reconnect with indigenous culture and farming techniques. The produce that they harvest is also supplied to the neighborhood and the nearby community food bank.
As of August 2023, they aim to create a “pocket park” in the neighborhood alongside Tucson Clean & Beautiful, providing a green space for the community that will prevent flooding, water native plants, slow traffic, and potentially prevent trash dumping.
In 2023, three baby goats were stolen from the farm.
Events
2nd Saturday Midtown Community Volunteer Day
A volunteer day is typically hosted on the second Saturday of the month, allowing for the community to come in, get to know each other, and help out around the farm. This could entail planting, weeding the gardens and paths, and contributing to ongoing projects.
Plant Sales
There is no regular schedule to these plant sales, but they function on a sliding scale. Plants, and occasionally harvested produce, are sold on a sliding scale. A person can pay more for their plants in order to subsidize the price for another person.
There are other community-oriented gatherings and events held throughout the year. Check out their instagram @flowers_and_bullets, or sign up for their newsletter on their website for more information.
Donations
Flowers and Bullets accepts donations through their website on a single payment and regular payment basis. They also accept checks made out to Flowers and Bullets Collective, and mailed to 3538 E. Ellington Place Tucson, AZ 85713. These donations are tax deductible.
Sources:
https://www.tusd1.org/_theme/files/stories/22-23/article-20230209-bridging-three-centuries.pdf
https://www.tucsonweekly.com/tucson/shut-up-and-shut-down/Content?oid=1073838
https://www.flowersandbullets.com/mission
https://www.flowersandbullets.com/history
https://www.flowersandbullets.com/photos
https://instagram.com/flowers_and_bullets?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
https://www.kgun9.com/news/local-news/demolition-underway-on-julia-keen-elementary-school
https://www.kold.com/story/34057066/tusd-allows-flowers-and-bullets-to-lease-vacant-school/
https://www.kgun9.com/news/local-news/fire-breaks-out-at-community-farm
