Federal grant will support urban agriculture and community gardens in Birmingham
Jones Valley Teaching Farm is leading efforts to expand the local food system and nurture community farming in Birmingham’s urban neighborhoods thanks to a new federal grant.
By Michael Sznajderman
Alabama News Centre
November 15, 2021
Excerpt:
A federal grant will provide a big boost to a new program spearheaded by Jones Valley Teaching Farm that’s designed to help expand the local food system and nurture community farming in Birmingham’s urban neighborhoods.
The three-year grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will bolster Jones Valley’s Good Community Food Program, an education and training initiative to promote the growth of urban farming and expand community gardens. Good Community Food will be based at Jones Valley’s new Center for Food Education.
“Community gardening has always been an integral part of this city block, even before Jones Valley Teaching Farm began its work on the downtown campus,” said Amanda Storey, executive director. “That means that for over 15 years, this space has offered opportunities for residents to have their own garden on a pay-as-you-can basis.
“When designing the Center for Food Education,” she continued, “the community garden was at the heart of every decision, and we are thrilled that the USDA is funding Good Community Food so that we can expand our reach and impact while also collaborating with incredible partners doing food-focused work in our community.”
