A new partnership will begin this week to transform a vacant west Augusta lot into an organic urban farm designed to offer expanded educational opportunities for Helms College students while providing healthy food to area residents.
Vineyard Church of Augusta recently donated the use of a one-acre site, across 3126 Parrish Road from the church campus, for the Helms College School of Hospitality to transform into a farm with the assistance of volunteers from Augusta Locally Grown. Starting at 9 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 4, students, staff and volunteers will begin preparing the site for the spring growing season.

Once established, the Helms Urban Farm will grow and distribute seasonal, organic fruits, vegetables and herbs to underserved residents in the area in cooperation with the Vineyard Church food pantry, while also offering recipes and cooking demonstrations and providing ingredients for the Helms College Augusta School of Hospitality. Student participation in the project will be a part of their Culinary Education curriculum taught by Helms College Adjunct Instructor Kim Hines, with Augusta Locally Grown.

The Helms Urban Farm will serve as a test site for the Helms College teaching farm planned for the Lake Oconee community as part of Goodwill’s 2020 Strategic Plan.