What We Do
Global Growers supports the people who grow healthy food for our community.
The mission of Global Growers is to increase the number of food producers who create access to healthy, sustainably-grown food and also to prepare farmers to be competitive in their local marketplace. As a result of our work, there is significantly more fresh food in metro-Atlanta, particularly in food insecure neighborhoods. There is also more farmable land, more growers, and more opportunities for growers to sell their produce.
How We Do It
Land
Global Growers launched the first incubator farm program in Georgia and manages more than 22 acres of farms and gardens in DeKalb County across 8 locations.
Resources
Global Growers supports an evolving cohort of farmers and community growers in achieving their goals with individualized technical assistance, hands-on workshops, and connections to resources and services. Learn more about our resources for growers.
Sales
Global Growers provides aggregation and distribution services that facilitate equitable market access and sales for farmers, while also providing customers with a trusted source for farm-fresh produce.
How We Started
Global Growers grew out of the tremendous demand among Atlanta-area refugees to reconnect to their agricultural heritage in their new home. In 2010, we began connecting these talented growers with farming resources, including access to land, skill-building, business coaching, and market relationships. Global Growers is the only organization in Georgia that is focused on connecting the agricultural talent of the local refugee community to opportunities in sustainable agriculture.
As we have grown, so too has the demand from local, American-born farmers who are seeking similar means of support. We are now a wholly inclusive organization that serves talented, underserved, and underrepresented farmers of all backgrounds.
The Farmers
Global Growers prioritize serving individuals who came to Georgia as refugees/immigrants and who were experienced food producers in their countries of origin. Consequently, we have a primary focus on racial and ethnic groups who are underserved and underrepresented in our communities. We also serve all commercial farmers in Metro-Atlanta and the state of Georgia who have proven production experience and have limited resources for, or face significant barriers to, food production or launching farm businesses. Learn more about Global Growers partner farmers here.
Where we're growing:
Global Growers manages nearly 20 acres of land and supports a network of farms and gardens throughout metro Atlanta. Since 2010, we have produced around 500,000 lbs. of fresh produce.
Clarkston International Garden
1/4-acre garden located at the ten-acre Forty Oaks Nature Preserve in Clarkston, GA with kitchen garden plots for 35 diverse families. Features a rainwater harvesting irrigation system and is surrounded by a native and edible landscape, with walking trails to Milam Park.
Bamboo Creek Farm
15-acre incubator farm located in Stone Mountain for commercial crop production. Hosts ten beginning farmers and serves as the Global Growers base of operations. Features include two hoophouses, wash station, packing shed, walk-in cooler, bamboo forest, microirrigation system, barn storage, farm office, and composting toilet.
Decatur's Kitchen Garden
Two-acre market garden located in Decatur, GA with plots for 30 international families. Designed to build community, offer education about healthy food traditions and growing practices, and enhance biodiversity through cutting edge sustainable resource management. Features include a keyline design, fruit orchard, herb garden, newly added pollinator garden, and a beautiful pond.
Umurima Wa Burundi
One-acre garden located in Decatur, GA managed collectively by 7 farm families. The first farm project of Global Growers that inspired many others to follow suit. Features a mix of traditional East African crops and American farmers market staples.
Network Gardens
Global Growers supports a network of independently managed farm and garden sites in and around metro Atlanta, by providing technical assistance, educational opportunities, leadership development.
We Are Global Growers.