About Us
About Us
Our future depends on the seeds we sow today. We work side-by-side as Columbus South Side neighbors to cultivate a community of wellness that heals our bodies, souls, and minds. Together through our urban farming gardens we address food insecurities and provide safe havens for discussion, learning, and reflection. We encourage all to walk in the faith of planting to bring forth fruit and nourishment.
Founded in 2014 as a community garden, South Side Family Farms has grown into urban farming.
Our Mission
Our mission is to:
- increase access to fresh produce and generate awareness of its health benefits among our underserved neighbors
- educate on agricultural best practices for growing food systems and how to include these foods to diminish chronic health diseases
- create sustainable economic avenues in agriculture through entrepreneurship amongst black and brown communities
- educate, encourage and inspire youth towards agrarian professions and livelihood
- provide safe environments for community connection and collaboration
- demonstrate STEM based climate resilient and regenerative agricultural practices
Our two farm gardens are located in the heart of Columbus’ South Side community at 1269 and 1204 Wilson Avenue. We support those of diverse incomes and cultures, and will continue to grow our mission in 2021 with a new seedling farm in Johnstown, cooking demonstrations and nutritional education, and the expansion of our CSA program. Stay tuned for future developments.
Meet the Guy, his Gal (wife for life), and their Goals
Minister Aaron K. and Antoinette Hopkins
Who We AreWe are a family of faith-in-action, community servants, and visionaries of hopeful and healthy outcomes here in this South Side community. We have lived within these communities for 35 years, during which we raised our six children, guided our many grandchildren, and overcame many struggles and adversities, including feeding our family well. Antoinette, my wife of 38 years, and I have put our hands on the plow of hope to address health and wellness concerns in our community.
Community NeedsWe live in a borderline food desert, with limited transportation access. These problems also plague many of our urban communities with economically diverse populations and underserved people of color. We lack adequate access to fresh fruits and vegetables in our limited grocery and restaurant options. Food sovereignty and food justice have been absent so long that many in our community no longer believe they are possible.
Family Food SustainabilityWhile addressing the gaps that existed in our generational heritage between grandparents and youth, we found no one emphasizing family food sustainability and the food systems that have supported people in the past. No one is telling their stories of generational farming and the responsibilities of preparing your own food Wellness is also knowing you can provide for yourself.
The Path Forward It is our passion to serve our community in Planting Seeds of Progress. We produce plants – fruit on the vine – as agents of change towards better food access, equity, quality, and fair food. We want to sustain and equip generations going forward through knowledge transfer and learning to grow food and food systems.
We are a family of faith-in-action, community servants, and visionaries of hopeful and healthy outcomes here in this South Side community. We have lived within these communities for 35 years, during which we raised our six children, guided our many grandchildren, and overcame many struggles and adversities, including feeding our family well. Antoinette, my wife of 38 years, and I have put our hands on the plow of hope to address health and wellness concerns in our community.
We live in a borderline food desert, with limited transportation access. These problems also plague many of our urban communities with economically diverse populations and underserved people of color. We lack adequate access to fresh fruits and vegetables in our limited grocery and restaurant options. Food sovereignty and food justice have been absent so long that many in our community no longer believe they are possible.
While addressing the gaps that existed in our generational heritage between grandparents and youth, we found no one emphasizing family food sustainability and the food systems that have supported people in the past. No one is telling their stories of generational farming and the responsibilities of preparing your own food Wellness is also knowing you can provide for yourself.
It is our passion to serve our community in Planting Seeds of Progress. We produce plants – fruit on the vine – as agents of change towards better food access, equity, quality, and fair food. We want to sustain and equip generations going forward through knowledge transfer and learning to grow food and food systems.
Our Farms
Pop Pop’s Learning Space
1269 Wilson Avenue
South Side Greenery
1204 Wilson Avenue
Seedlings of Change Farmsite
Johnstown, Ohio
Pop Pop & Nana’s Farmstand
1007 E Deshler Ave
(Under Construction)
SSFF @ LSS Champion Gardens
1460 S Champion Ave
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