Thanks to the generosity of the Clarke County School District, in March of 2012 the Athens Land Trust broke ground on Athens’ first-ever community-based urban farm, located on the former playground of the historic West Broad School. The West Broad Market Garden (WBMG) is a 1/2-acre production oriented, Certified Naturally Grown urban farm utilizing Biointensive growing methods to support a Community “Sponsored” Agriculture (CSA) Program and a twice weekly produce stand.

To date, the WBMG has produced over 3,000 lbs. of produce, over 600 lbs. of which have gone to support the food ministry of its neighbor, The Light Christian Church. The WBMG is also home to a community composting initiative, through which approximately 400 lbs. of vegetable matter is diverted from the local waste stream every week.

How We Grow

As of August 24, 2012, the West Broad Market Garden is a  Certified Naturally Grown agricultural site, meaning that we utilize the latest in sustainable growing practices and avoid all inorganic fertilizers and pesticides as well as genetically modified seed. We keep our farm’s soil alive and fertile by plowing down soil building cover crops, compost, lime, and commercially available organic fertilizer. For pest and disease management, we implement an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program, which means that we utilize strategies to avoid or solve pest problems before they begin. In this program we scout the fields for insects and disease, we seek protection with beneficial insects and biological controls, we use disease resistant varieties, and, when necessary, bug-excluding row covers. And, if and only if a problem reaches the economic injury level, where the pest problem would cause enough damage for us to lose money, then (and only then) we utilize only the safest pesticides available.

For More Information
For more information, please contact the Athens Land Trust: 706-613-0122 or use the form: