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Atlanta Urban farmer in College Park fundraising to continue to provide for community

In 2009, Bobby Wilson used his retirement savings to create Metro Atlanta Urban Farm.

With food prices rising, this urban farmer is on a mission to help thousands of people grow their own

By Allie Torgan, CNN
July 8, 2022

Excerpt:

In the state of Georgia, where one in eight people face hunger, one farmer has made it his mission not only to feed the hungry but to help them grow a bounty in their own backyard.

“My main goal is to make sure that marginalized and underserved communities have access to locally grown food that’s free of chemicals,” said Bobby Wilson, who operates the nonprofit Metro Atlanta Urban Farm.

“We have turned five acres of land right here in the heart of the city into a green oasis that really impacts the quality of life of people that live around here.”

Since 2009, Wilson has taught thousands of people how to plant and grow their own vegetables and prepare meals with them, including onions, garlic, cucumbers, tomatoes, collard greens, squash, and eggplant.

“Not only can you learn from my 35 years of doing this type of work,” Wilson said, “but you can learn from our community gardeners who (are) growing food in a natural way.”

Wilson, the first college graduate in his family, worked with the University of Georgia for more than 20 years, bringing gardening education and programs to public housing complexes, schools and churches throughout metro Atlanta. Through his work, he saw a great need for fresh, healthy food in low-income urban communities.

When he retired in 2009, he used a portion of his retirement savings to purchase the farm and help fill the gap.

“I saw the need,” Wilson said. “Plus, when you retire, you should do something you really enjoy.”

Read the complete article here.