“We have transformed five acres of land in the heart of the city into a green oasis that has a major impact on the quality of life of the people living around it.”
Since 2009, Wilson has taught thousands of people how to plant and grow their own vegetables, such as onions, garlic, cucumbers, tomatoes, collard greens, squash, and eggplants, to prepare their meals.
“Not only can we learn from the 35 years we’ve been doing this kind of work, but we can also learn from the gardeners in our community who grow food in a natural way,” says Wilson.
Wilson, the first college graduate of his family, worked at the University of Georgia for over 20 years, bringing gardening education and programs to public housing estates, schools, and churches throughout the Atlanta Metro. Through his work, he saw a great need for fresh and healthy food in the low-income urban community.
When he retired in 2009, he bought a farm and used some of his retirement savings to fill the gap.
“I saw that need,” Wilson said. “Moreover, when you retire, you have to do something really fun.”
He estimates that as food prices rise, people can save thousands each year by growing their own fruits and vegetables. He also points out the health benefits of fresh produce.
“If we can eat better food and move away from fast food locations, any community can get rid of the high blood pressure and diabetes we face,” Wilson said.
Millions of households in the United States struggle to support their families, and the black and Hispanic population is disproportionately affected, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic.
This is a particular issue that motivates Wilson’s efforts.
“I’m trying to give my people living in and around these five acres access to locally grown food,” Wilson said. “I’m here to make a difference in their quality of life.”
During the pandemic, he said Wilson helped feed more than 25,000 families who lived nearby. He also helped local farmers, many of whom were of color, struggling to float.
“When small and disadvantaged farmers didn’t have the means to get rid of their produce because people didn’t come to buy, we had the opportunity to help keep them alive.” Wilson said. “We bought and distributed food from African-American farmers who didn’t have stores.”
Wilson continues to offer free food to people in need every week with drive-through giveaways that help families secure healthy produce. He also provides resources and information to help color-stricken farmers take advantage of the opportunities that the government may offer.
“(I) want to make sure everyone is seated at the table and their voice is important,” he said.
Over the years, Wilson says he has accepted more than 3,000 K-12 students for farm tours and agricultural STEM field trips. He works with farmers and gardeners of all ages and skill levels, from preschoolers to the elderly, to provide education and access to affordable produce.
“We are not just a farm,” he said. “We are about justice, equality, diversity, and inclusion, because after all, we want our grandchildren to have something better than they are today.”
CNN’s Jaide Timm-Garcia contributed to this report.
Source: www.cnn.com
