Thirty-four acres in South Hall County is where it starts. Engaging in urban agriculture and experiential outdoor activities in the fields and forest is where it grows.
But let's face it...caring for the land and its bounty takes time, effort, and resources. It started with conversation, research, and observation. Those involved all agreed that our natural spaces are key to addressing a variety of food and health insecurities as well as environmental problems that exist in our local community. It was clear, though, that undeveloped spaces within growing urban areas are challenging to find and disappearing quickly.
We asked ourselves, "Why not consider using church-owned land to help our neighbors and our surrounding environment?" St. Mary and St. Martha Episcopal Church had the acreage. The Episcopal Church is a strong advocate for caring for the environment. Creating opportunities that address equity, justice, and conservation to sustain our future are of strong interest to Sts. M and M.
A grant gift from the ECF of Middle and North Georgia is helping to install irrigation and other infrastructure needs vital for the project. Growing produce to share with food insecure families aligns well with the ECF of Middle and North Georgia's mission goals.
A hoop house from the Chestatee-Chattahooche RC & D provides space needed to sow seeds, nurture seedlings, and extend our growing season. We will also be able to protect young plants from harsh weather, grow plants to share with the community, and increase our food production effort over time. The hoop house, we fondly named "The Clubhouse", creates another learning landscape we can share with the community.
Vantage Point Education and other school partners, along with parish volunteers, are putting boots on the ground to plant, tend, build and harvest. These students and volunteers are contributing the time and energy to install and maintain elements of the infrastructure. In addition, resource donations and technical advice from UGA Extension Office specialists, Premier Growers, MR Systems-Inframark, Cloudland Winery, GACD, and local farmers and master gardeners are making it possible for us to explore and expand how we can Grow2B.
Our hope is that everyone, both partners, volunteers, and the community we serve, will see and celebrate the connections with the land and its bounty as they Grow2B!