An urban farm in a low-income Atlanta neighborhood is working to make healthy fruits and vegetables more accessible to the community.
Jamila Norman, founder of Patchwork City Farms, wants
to shine a light on people growing food and regenerating land in disadvantaged communities into productive soil for fresh and healthy foods.
The 1.5-acre Patchwork farm is southwest of downtown Atlanta. Once an affluent part of Atlanta, the Oakland City neighborhood is now bound by freeways.
A diverse farm, Patchwork grows a variety of vegetables, fruits and herbs. Among its large catalog are baby greens, arugula, kale, Swiss chard, beets, carrots,
eggplant, okra, peas, peppers, potatoes, radishes, spinach, winter squash, heirloom tomatoes, strawberries and melons, as well as sprouts and flowers.
Fruit also includes paw paws, pears, persimmons and figs. Norman plans to plant more fruit trees, likely including apples, plums and kiwifruit.
Vicki Morrone
Organic Farming Specialist and Beginning Farmer Educator
Dept of Community Sustainability, Michigan State University
+ 1-517-282-3557 (cell and What’s app)
Sorrone11 (skype)