Commissioner Lorraine Cochran-Johnson and DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond look over E.M.B.A.R.C.’s blueprints and designs. Photos by Jay Phillips
By TheChampionNewspaper.com
Dirt was lifted at the former site of Bransby Outdoor YMCA at Rock Chapel in Lithonia April 19 as the county begins transforming the 50-acre property into a community youth farm.
In addition to growing fruits and vegetables, the farm is planned to incorporate aquaponics, hydroponics, edible environments, and areas designated for youth entrepreneurship, leadership and team building. Plans include multiple trails on the property and activities such as zip lining, rock climbing, and kayaking will be offered.
“After a year of planning and research, I am proud to announce that the E.M.B.A.R.C. Community Youth Farm (E.M.B.A.R.C.) is finally ready to break ground on what will be the first of four phases,” stated Commissioner Lorraine Cochran-Johnson. “It is my intent to create a safe space for children that promotes healthy living, urban farming, education, leadership, and entrepreneurship. The various components of the youth farm will make it a transformative project that is guaranteed to be a tourist attraction.”
According to a county press release, phase I funding for the youth farm includes contributions such as $98,500 from Cochran-Johnson’s District 7 discretionary funds, a $225,500 allocation from the county’s Hotel-Motel Tax Fund and a more than $600,000 commitment from the county. The buildout of the farm is currently estimated to cost $1.4 million.
A draft master site plan was designed by 13 Georgia Institute of Technology graduate students under the direction of Herman H. Howard, nationally acclaimed architect. The comprehensive plan incorporated the natural topography of the land and existing resources to develop a model farm with mixed uses to encourage optimal community engagement.
Pictured are Georgia Institute of Technology graduate students who worked on the design team
“It has been a pleasure working on this project with Commissioner Cochran-Johnson and DeKalb County,” stated Howard, an instructor at the Georgia Institute of Technology. “Each graduate student has had an integral role in creating and designing the farm for functionality and sustainability, and the project has given them firsthand professional experience.”
Several organizations have teamed up to support the project, including DeKalb County Board of Commissioners, DeKalb County Youth Services, DeKalb County UGA Cooperative Extension, Partners In Action for Healthy Living, and the DeKalb County Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs Department.
Once fully operational, the youth farm will share with Hidden Acres Nature Preserve a park naturalist, a position funded by Cochran-Johnson in 2019.
The youth farm will also include a greenhouse, country store, hen house, organic compost station, interactive bee and honey station; youth entrepreneurship training and stewardship education also will abe provided.
The E.M.B.A.R.C. Community Youth Farm will be entirely ADA-compliant and home to DeKalb’s largest wheelchair accessible swimming pool as well as a 275-seat amphitheater, the county stated in the press release.
“This is an exciting project and we look forward to its full development,” stated Chuck Ellis, director of DeKalb County Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs Department. “The youth farm will allow our park naturalist to conduct tours and fully engage children in the environment. We look forward to working alongside Commissioner Cochran-Johnson to create a model that can be replicated in urban environments across the United States.”
Phase I construction and renovations of existing structures of the E.M.B.A.R.C. Community Youth Farm are estimated to be complete by October 2021.
In celebration of Earth Day, an official groundbreaking was held April 19 at the property located at 1185 Rock Chapel Road in Lithonia.
To stay abreast of each phase of the youth farm project, visit www.embarcyouthfarm.org and follow all social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube @embarcyouthfarm.
Officials from DeKalb County, city of Lithonia, Georgia Institute of Technology and Partners in Action for Healthy Living broke ground on the E.M.B.A.R.C. Community Youth Farm April 19.
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