Staff and volunteers from the Atlanta Botanical Garden work with farmers at Truly Living Well Center for Natural Urban Agriculture to prepare the farm for the upcoming growing season during the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service. Courtesy of Atlanta Botanical Garden

Institution profiles

Since opening its doors in 1976, the Atlanta Botanical Garden has become the emerald jewel in the crown of Atlanta culture. The Garden is an ever-evolving destination where horticulturally-minded, nature-inspired and fun-seeking families come together to feel human again. Renowned plant collections, beautiful displays and spectacular exhibitions make the Garden the loveliest place in the city to visit. This urban oasis in the heart of Midtown includes thirty acres of outdoor gardens, an award-winning children’s garden, the serene Storza Woods highlighted by a unique canopy walk, and the picturesque Skyline Garden. (For additional information visit the Atlanta Botanical Garden website.)

Located in the Asheview Heights section of Atlanta, the nonprofit Truly Living Well Center for Natural Urban Agriculture (TLW) is committed to bringing good food, good health, and well-being to Atlanta’s urban community. TLW was created to demonstrate how food can be a bridge across diverse cultures, backgrounds, and experiences. The goal is to use food production as the platform for promoting health and wellness in the community. Programs and activities provide agriculture training, nutrition, education and job creation. By providing opportunities to harvest healthy produce throughout the year, TLW provides a consistent source of fresh produce, much of which is earmarked specifically for those who otherwise cannot afford to purchase it. (For additional information, visit the TLW website.)

Program description

With Initial funding from the U.S. Botanic Garden and the American Public Gardens Association, Atlanta Botanical Garden’s education staff, In collaboration with TLW staff, developed three on-the-farm backpack experiences for five- to ten-year-old children: Atlanta Urban Farming and the History of Truly Living Well, the Five Senses, and Pollinators. The backpacks support TLW’s mission of growing

better communities by connecting people with the land through education, training, and demonstration of economic success in natural urban agriculture, and Atlanta Botanical Garden’s commitment to supporting healthy food sources for city residents.

TLW staff members check out the backpacks, which include nature based activities for groups ranging in size from four to twenty participants. The activities follow the Science Georgia Standards of Excellence K-5. Although the backpacks do not leave the site, they do include take home activities to continue the learning. Many of the participants are students from the neighboring elementary school or families that live in the area who learn about the program through a newsletter that targets area families with children aged five to twelve.

Program impact

In an area with limited fresh food resources, this program provides farm educational opportunities in relation to urban agriculture, pollinators and exposure to food growing practices.

Future plans

Current plans are to combine backpack programs as an aspect of a Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (S.T.E.M.) summer camps aimed at the local schools from elementary to high school.

Takeaways for other public gardens

Starting small with partners that share values can lead to long-term partnerships that serve the community and the garden’s mission.

A volunteer uses cardboard as a natural weed suppressant between garden beds at Truly Living Well Center for Natural Urban Agriculture. Courtesy of Atlanta Botanical Garden