Saturday morning at 8am on WCLK's The Local Take I talked with City of Atlanta City Coucil Members Carla Smith of District 1 and Matt Westmoreland of Post 2 - At Large about the Brown's Mill Urban Food Forest. I ask the representatives where the vision of a food forest started and the speak about a grant from the US Forestry Service.
They explain that the Food Forest will be managed by the Fulton Parks and Recreation department, the hours are the same as most park hours from 6am - 7pm. While this will not solve the challenges of living in a food desert, it will supplement foods that residents already have in the pantry. Ms. Smith shares that on her last visit she picked a few herbs including fresh parsley.
Residents are encouraged to pick ripe fruits and to take only what they personally need. There is an herb section, pecan and walnut trees, two beehives will supply fresh honey and there is a mushroom garden.
I ask about how the plants were chosen and Ms. Smith mentions a master plan that was developed with community input when they applied for the grant. She also speaks about Second Saturday meetings on the property that community members are encouraged to attend.
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