Aspen Children's Farm

The mission of Cosmic Pit is to develop our community via agriculture, mental health, nature rehabilitation, and land development of underutilized areas in Passaic, NJ. We specialize in Urban agriculture, aquaponics, and ecosystems.  My name is Shantia Sapp and I am the founder of Cosmic Pit LLC which was born as an indoor garden operation in March 2021 with myself and my two beautiful boys Karon & Caleb. Our outdoor and community projects started June 2022 where myself and the Aspen children have developed an expanding farm space for the Alfred Speer Village Housing Projects community members located in Passaic, NJ.  Aspen Children's Farm is a safe space allowing the children to express themselves freely, openly, and providing a judgment free zone to create, plant, explore, build, exercise, learn, and eat together. 

Passaic, NJ is a known food desert, offering minimal sources of healthy food options for its community members. With the rise in health risks/concerns we believe it is pertinent that we offer the community an alternate resource to aid in positive well-being and overall health. Aspen Children's Farm was started by the children from seeds and they cherish their space. The children are gaining a deeper regard and respect for earth while learning ecosystems together. Various children from various walks of life given the space to learn something together has been providing great insight into the potential of the farm. Its aid in positive development for the children here in Passaic, specifically mental and physical health. The children look forward to farm events, fresh food, water access, & green education. The increased support from community members near and extended provide donations and continued hope for the farm to survive and thrive. At each event we include positive affirmations, healing music, art, exercise, green education, fresh healthy meals together, and we allow nature to guide us providing magic every time we connect with earth.

The potential market size/opportunity has proven to target the city of Passaic and surrounding communities. We have the potential to reach beyond the tri-state and have support from many who wish to see the farms future growth. 

Cosmic Pit is a local farm business introducing free agricultural services as well as focus on positive mental health via cultivation. We hope to develop our farm so that we can source produce locally as well as create health friendly products. Cosmic Pit is a family farm dedicated to agriculture, land management of underutilized/neglected areas, mental health, equity, and culture building. Through these channels we can provide the community of Passaic health support, introduce natural/locally grown nourishment, provide a nature education element, boost local economy, promote buy local initiative, employment increase, land management of neglected/underutilized areas, green rehabilitation, and this is only the beginning of what we will provide our community. 

We are operating out of affordable housing units so we are a disadvantaged part of the community and our main struggle is availability of farm resources. Most of our resources are foraged or explored from nature, access to funding would better our soil biology producing bountiful crops next growing season. Funding would aid the farm by providing resources such as soil, water, tools, gloves, seeds, irrigation system, renewable energy education, solar education, & nature initiatives to improve and grow the farm development here in Passaic, NJ. Funding would help us reach our ultimate goal which is to grow enough food to feed the Passaic community. Half of the funding would be allocated for farm equipment, purchase insurance, and business development. A quarter of the funds would be used to purchase water, fresh produce, and fund events. A quarter of funds would go toward a produce van to aid in farm operations. 

I am Shantia Sapp, the founder of Cosmic Pit and the organizer of the Aspen Children’s Farm alongside the children of Alfred Speer Village affordable housing development in Passaic, NJ. 

• We would like to thank all of our supporters 
  • Aspen children & families
  • Passaic community supporters
  • Montclair State University
  • Almunir Farms, LLC
  • Apiary In the Sky, LLC
  • Smiling Hogshead Ranch
  • Brooklyn Collective