Right across from the iconic Wonder Bread factory on North 4th Street, the Columbus Growing Collective is converting two acres of blighted, vacant land into a sustainable agriculture production hub.
Driven by principles of sustainability, social justice, and education, this will be a community endeavor, inspired and shaped by community members.
While the potential for this project is limitless, and will be largely determined by the community itself, our central objective for the space is to positively contribute to and actively complement the progress already made by the existing local foods community, whom we so deeply admire.
Located on a small portion of the land that was once home to the Jeffrey Manufacturing Company- an operation which at its peak (following World War I) provided steady employment for at least 5000 residents of Columbus- the farm sits on a historic site, full of symbolism. Formerly on the forefront of the technological innovations that literally fueled the industrial revolution in the United States, the Jeffrey Manufacturing Company tenured the land from 1888-1999. Over this time period, the company became known for its innovative policies surrounding the treatment of factory workers, and was amongst the first in the country to build an on-site infirmary to address work-related injuries in 1889, and in 1905 was amongst the first to provide a cooperative store for its employees.
The Columbus Growing Collective hopes to carry on this spirit of progress and groundbreaking innovation that has historically graced the land, while operating within principles of the modern sustainability and food justice movements now taking hold throughout the United States.
We have worked hard this past year to develop innovative social programming, which will take place on the Italian Village Urban Farm throughout the entire 2015 growing season. Since Spring is now fully upon us, now is the time to get involved! Please check out our Programming page, email us, and let us know how you would like to get involved!