Our Story

In 2010, several families who had recently moved to the Clarkston area of Georgia after arriving in the U.S. in refugee status, broke ground on a small plot of land in Decatur, GA. There, the families literally cultivated roots in their new community by establishing a shared farm space to grow food for their families at a time when their resources were limited.

Local partners helped to navigate the challenges of urban land and market access, so that the farmers could make the most of their agricultural expertise, and share their agricultural heritage with their children and the greater community. They began selling extra fresh produce to a local faith community, and embarked on a path of contributing to the local markets and food community.

This first farm became known as Umurima wa Burundi (“The Burundi Farm” in Kirundi, the native language of the founding farmers), and the start-up partners launched Global Growers Network. In the coming years, Global Growers established eight farms and gardens, including a 22 acre organic farm in Rockdale County.

Grower stories

Lian Ngia

Network Grower

“We get a little income from growing food by ourself, save money from groceries, and I feel healthier."

TOUR LIAN'S FAMILY PLOT

Dim Zam Suan

Network Grower

“I am able to eat the foods that I grow with my hands. I sell the foods that I grow most of the time, so it helps my family and I pay for our bills."

DIM NO'S STORY

Steven Than Ceu

Network Grower

“Farming is for the family. My wife and children are all part of my farm.”

THAN'S STORY

Global Growers Today

Today, Global Growers is a network of 200 local growers and food systems leaders in Georgia . We celebrate our agricultural traditions, heritage and foodways, as farmers and families from many different backgrounds contributing to our vibrant local communities.

We increase our own economic self-sufficiency, while increasing the availability of fresh and culturally significant foods in our communities. We preserve our agriculture heritage, and improve the sustainability, biodiversity and ecological health of our lands. We deepen our communities’ engagement with gardens, farms and the stewardship of land.

We operate at seven urban gardens and farms in the metro-Atlanta area. Additionally, our Rockdale Organic Co-Farm in Rockdale County is the 22-acre home to nine new and expanding agricultural businesses, the Harvest View Event Center that offers a retreat house, pavilion and event green, and a beautiful outdoor learning space with walking trails, a pollinator garden and orchards.