Learn about land use agreements, transitioning from urban grower to rural farmer, labor management, and content creation for marketing on the Grow Where You Are Farm Tour.

EDUCATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

1. Setting up efficient, clear land use agreements for landless farmers leasing land short term

2. How to begin transitioning from urban grower to rural farmer

3. How to maximize farm help from seasonal, part-time paid interns with minimal experience

4. Balancing content creation for marketing purposes with productive farming practices

ABOUT THE SOWTH FARM TOUR HOST

As an Indigenous grower practicing sustainable horticulture for over 20 years, Eugene Cooke has developed multiple mini-farms, school gardens and private growing spaces. Since 2007 his focus has been on regenerative practices that gather in local community members to relearn timeless land stewardship practices. The Grow Where You Are (GWYA) Collective, established in 2014, has had a profound impact, supporting, educating and inspiring food system entrepreneurs, while continuing to produce seasonal vegetables for market in the Metro Atlanta Area. The collective creates enterprise through food production and their farms and gardens radiate with biodiversity and economic productivity. Their methods produce delicious local food and demonstrate systems that eliminate harm to animals and compost waste. GWYA envisions food abundance, when farms are focal points, producing and sharing nutrition between urban and agricultural communities

ABOUT THE SOWTH FARM TOUR PARTNER

Robby Astrove is an environmental educator and ecologist serving as the Preserve Manager for the Davidson-Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve in DeKalb County, Georgia. For over 20 years Robby has acted as an environmental educator, land steward, and community organizer on behalf of biodiversity, native plants, and people who seek connection to nature and the local food system. Robby worked with the Atlanta Local Food Initiative from its nascent years and supported the Incredible Edible Fruit Tree Sale and Orchard Project which promotes the planting of edible landscapes and orchards at schools, parks, community gardens, and natural areas in urban Atlanta.    

TRANSPORTATION

Attendees MUST meet at 8:30 a.m. at the farm tours transportation hub at the Georgia World Congress Center Marshalling Yard (362 Ivan Allen Jr Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30313) and use the bus transportation provided to the farm site. Attendees will bus to:

Grow Where You Are

4600 Elgin Rd, Fairburn, GA 30213

Attendees can plan to arrive back at the transportation hub around 1:00 p.m.; however, this is dependent on traffic conditions. Please plan your day accordingly.