People Helping People Urban Farm
Bessemer, Alabama
Raising healthy fresh food for our neighbors and educating our youth.
Our Vision: The Urban Farm will be a productive garden that allows community members to help each other and feed the underserved.
Our Mission: PHP Urban Farm strives to meet the needs of people by increasing their access to fresher, more nutritious food supplies, increasing the self-reliance of communities in providing for their own food needs, and promoting comprehensive responses to local food, farm, and nutrition issues.
The Farm on Jay Bird Road
Approximately 14 acres 1 1/2 acres of land currently cultivated, with plans underway to cultivate 2-3 acres of organic produce Current crops include kale, mustard greens, broccoli, cabbage We plan to plant fruit trees and blueberry bushesFarm History
1958: Roy Brown begins working the Bessemer farm land with his father. 1971: Mr. Brown returns from military service and begins working at a local plant while revitalizing his farm land to provide food for himself and other members of the Bessemer community. 2003: Virginia Ward joins Mr. Brown at his farm and makes plans to develop the land into an urban farm that will feed the underserved in Bessemer. 2005: Mrs. Ward helps to develop nutritional and science-based curriculum to teach youth who volunteer at the farm, and funding is obtained to provide for senior aides at the farm.Project Stakeholders
Project Hopewell, Inc. Alabama Cooperative Extension System Youth with a Purpose Amsouth Bank Heifer International Cawaco RC&D Council Jones Valley Urban Farm The Heritage Center Segars Garden Center New Horizon Alternative School SHARE Program Alabama Sustainable Agriculture Network Bessemer Community Members and Programs that receive our produce Volunteers from 4H, Boys and Girls Club, local churches, Boy and Girl Scouts, Miles, Lawson State, Birmingham Southern University, Bessemer City Schools, YMCA - thank you!