Get in the Garden. Get Neighborly. Get International This Sunday, June 24th!
The word pairing of “Atlanta” and “international” usually conjures up thoughts of Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport and visiting dignitaries. But did you know the metro Atlanta area is home to a network of over 250 international farmers from Burundi, the Congo, Somalia, Kenya, Ethiopia, Iran and many other countries?
The Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) is partnered with the Refugee Family Services/Global Growers Network in the Clarkston community near Decatur. As part of the Real Communities Initiative, we support the group's two vibrant community gardens here, which are part of a stop on an eight-part tour taking place Sunday, June 24 from 10:30am until 5pm. About 80 families work the Clarkston Farmers Market and the Clarkston Community Garden, representing 10 different countries and with a focus on integrating members with developmental disabilities into garden activities.
Neighbors from Burma, Ethiopia, Iran and the US are responsible for a yield of over 2,700 pounds of food and flowers annually, taking an untended kudzu patch of Georgia red clay that was once the end-zone of Clarkston High School football field and coaxing it into a bountiful harvest. These organic gardens are the first stop on the tour and are located at 3701 College Ave. Clarkston, GA 30021 on the activities field between the soccer net and back fence.
On Sunday, people can visit this location as one of eight destinations representing 13 world cultures. All are within a five mile radius beginning from the Clarkston Community Center: 3701 College Ave. Clarkston, GA 30021. See international farms and gardens, celebrate global culinary styles, specialty crops and participate in distinctive agricultural traditions. There is a bike tour, a self-driving tour (both $25) or a VIP all-inclusive bus tour ($60).
The tour celebrates World Refugee Day and the US refugee program that highlights the best of our commitment to human rights and dignity by offering a home to some people, most devastated by war, genocide and persecution. GCDD is glad to be connected to this important effort through its Real Communities Initiative and the Refugee Family Services/Global Growers Network.
Visit the Global Growers Network to get complete information including addresses of the eight tour locations and ticket purchase options. View a brief video to get a sneak peek taste of Sunday’s activities. Or contact Susan Pavlin at 678-984-7117, . The Global Growers Food and Farm Tour is co-sponsored by Slow Food Atlanta and takes place Sunday, June 24 from 10:30am to 5pm.
Check it out and make a comment here to share your experience and impressions of the day!
