Eco-PARADIGM Crew | PolyCulture Production
/Eco-PARADIGM
Eco-PARADIGM crew helping Stephanie Simmons of PolyCulture Production with weeding the hoop house: (l-r) Jah, Kijana, Stephanie, Habeebah, Charles, and Vici.
Summer is not only a busy time for farmers but also for those who work supporting growers! Food Well Alliance is excited to spotlight a partner providing amazing hands-on support and expertise to metro Atlanta farms–Eco-PARADIGM! Through the Food Well Alliance Farm Support Resource, the Eco-PARADIGM team, led by Charles Greenlea, helps farms stay on track with their work growing local food.
Charles Greenlea started Eco-PARADIGM to bridge the gap between farms that were short on labor and the need for hands-on experience for graduates of training programs at organizations like HABESHA, Inc. and Gangstas 2 Growers. “It’s a win-win situation,” said Charles. “The farms get support and the growers working as part of the Eco-PARADIGM team get real-world experience, earn a liveable wage, and learn not only how to do multiple things but also learn from multiple sites and growers.”
Through farm projects, the Eco-PARADIGM crew has learned skills like operating a BCS tractor, building high tunnels, installing irrigation systems, and more. “I get to go to different farms and experience how they do things. I’m learning from all the farmers I meet,” said crew member Vici Royál, who wants to get his own land and start growing food. Habeebah, who recently joined Eco-PARADIGM, enjoys the work because it helps her understand all that goes into growing food. Her favorite part is being able to pick and taste fresh produce. “I didn’t know what real fruits and vegetables tasted like until I experienced them fresh from a farm.”
The dedicated crew has helped 15 metro Atlanta farms this year and has spent over 2,000 hours helping farmers accomplish infrastructure projects and stay on top of farm maintenance tasks when they need extra hands. One of those farmers is Stephanie Simmons of PolyCulture Production @ Gaia Gardens. She has been grateful for the extra hands. “While I don’t have a team, Eco-PARADIGM is my team.” The crew has helped Stephanie with weeding, prepping beds for planting, mowing the grass, and so much more. “Eco-PARADIGM brings growers together to learn from each other, and all you want to do is use that knowledge and pay it forward to the next person.”
