I work in downtown Flint.

An area known for its violence, murder and arson.

But sometimes you have to look behind that to find the people who are taking hardship and turning it into something positive for the community.

I first spoke with two Flint residents for a Flint Journal story in February about their vision for a neighborhood only about a mile south of downtown. Something maybe you wouldn’t think to see surrounded by vacant lots, homes and businesses — an urban farm.

Joanna Lehrman, 26, and Roxanne Adair, 27, decided to do something outside of the box ... or outside of the work cubicle, as they would say. On 16 vacant lots they have created Flint River Farm to grow and provide fresh produce to those in the area. (Check out their blog)

All day they spend time in old t-shirts and shorts covered in dirt, tilling the land and checking on their plants. And that's the way they like it, they said.

I observed two things: Both Joanna and Roxanne work extremely hard and they have fun doing it. They welcome everyone and anyone who wants to help or learn a little. And while talking with them about why they do it Joanna said, "I can't see myself doing anything else."

They walk away at the end of the day knowing that what they are doing matters. The peas, beats, lettuce and the 35 or so other variety of produce is their proof. They tried being stuck behind a desk. It wasn't their style.

So here's food for thought: "What do you dream about? That's what you should be doing," Joanna told me.

The growth of the urban farming movement: Flint River Farm is one of more than 200 urban gardeners partnering with the Edible Flint co-op

By Sarah Schuch | The Flint Journal

FLINT, Michigan — What sat as empty lots within the city of Flint littered with trash and pieces of concrete just nine months ago are now blooming with crops and possibilities.

For the first time, the Flint River Farm — the city’s largest urban farm — will soon begin selling its basil beets, blackberries and broccoli.

The farm sits on 16 lots, nearly 2 acres of land on Beach Street between 12th Street and Wellington Avenue. It is filled with at least 35 different types of fruits and vegetables.

Check out the rest of the story on Mlive.com. Positive things do happen in Flint.