Out of the Rubble, A Community Garden

The Holt Community Garden emerges from the destruction following Alabama's April 27, 2011 Tornado disaster.  The photo captures the recent groundbreaking ceremony for the sustainable living project.  The land used to provide produce for local soup kitchens, and good work continues.

Through the cooperative efforts of Bennu America Foundation, Project Team Up, Soma Church, Tombigbee RC&D, and the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, the property will serve as a teaching tool for beginning farmers and ranchers and be used to address food insecurity.

• The 'model' will include the farm, local food processing and food preparation (in the 18-wheel mobile kitchen "Joshua" stationed at Soma Church by ACTS World Relief).
• The farm will also serve as a 'demonstration farm' for beginning farmers and ranchers; those interested in agriculture as a career or source of local sustenance; interns pursuing a variety of studies and research; and the surrounding community-particularly children and youth.
• The crops will be used as ingredients in seasonal menus which will be prepared in Joshua, local churches and other community agencies.
• The farm represents an opportunity to provide the community, students and others with occupational training in agriculture, food processing and culinary arts, while also serving as a platform for education on wellness, local agriculture, food security and food preparation. 

The model in Holt, Alabama has the attention of major NGO's who see the potential for replicating the project in other devastated areas like Haiti.

Grow Alabama Mobilizing to Aid Farmers

The day-to-day business of Grow Alabama is to serve as a hub for community-supported agriculture.  The organization connects produce customers to more than 50 Alabama farmers.  The state's new immigration  law caused a crisis in farm labor just as crops are set to harvest.  So for the time being, Grow Alabama broadens its mission by connecting workers with farmers before fields rot and livelihoods are laid to waste.  The first week of October, Grow Alabama helped a tomato farmer near Steele.  This week, a sweet potato farmer will be helped with his harvest.

Here's a little about the driving force behind Grow Alabama:

Grow Alabama is the dream of one man, and the chance for everyone to preserve a vital way of life. Jerry Spencer saw Grow Alabama as a way to give our community a direct connection to the family farms of Alabama. Members not only buy more nutritious, flavorful food, they keep money from leaving the State, and a rich tradition from vanishing forever. Starting as Mt Laurel Organic Gardens in 1998, Grow Alabama is now the country’s first statewide multi-farm community supported agriculture program, with the best Alabama has to offer.

Click here to find out about becoming a customer or here to learn more about Community-Supported Agriculture.

Helping Alabama and the Southeast Recover

The Southeast remains in rescue and recovery mode following one of the worst tornado disasters in U.S. history.  Officials documented 170 twisters in six states and 310 people are reported dead so far as crews continue to sift through the wreckage.  Alabama is being called the epicenter of the deadly storm with more than 200 reported dead and millions in property damage.

Anyone who wants to help victims in Alabama has these options:

• Salvation Army, 1601 Huntsville Road, Florence, drop-off location for water, non-perishable foods, monetary donations, baby supplies, including diapers, wipes, baby food, blankets, hand sanitizer.

• Salvation Army thrift stores are collecting clothing. Donors should designate items for storm victims.

• Franklin Pharmacy, 361 Mustang Drive, Russellville. People are asked to bring whatever they can but immediate needs are bottled water, canned food, sunscreen, basic toiletries, baby supplies.

• Monetary donations may be mailed to the Salvation Army, P.O. Box 728, Florence, AL 35630.

• Shoals Outdoor Sports, 1605 U.S. 72, Tuscumbia. Everything including diapers and toiletries, power tools such as chain saws and other emergency-related equipment.

• Fleet Force, Russellville, accepting non-perishable food items and water.

• Tharptown Dixie Youth League, collecting money, clothing, non-perishable foods. Donations will be taken at the Tharptown High School ball fields during baseball games Saturday beginning at 9 a.m. Collection boxes will be on site.

Additional sites for donations, food and water include:

• Highland Park Church of Christ Woodward Avenue in Muscle Shoals

• BestWay Rent To Own 2204 Woodward Avenue in Muscle Shoals or 384 Cox Creek Shopping Center in Florence

• McDaniel Window & Door 300 E. Tennessee St. in Florence

• Free Will Baptist Church 1303 Alabama 24 E in Red Bay

• TVA Credit Union 303 E Dr. Hicks in Florence, 406 N Mall Ct. in Florence, 425 Cox Blvd. in Sheffield

• All Regions bank locations

• First Baptist Church in Russellville

You can visit The Red Cross online to support survivors throughout the Southeast.