The GROW Farm: Growing Resilience, Opportunity and Wellness

The GROW Farm, an initiative of Palmetto Learning Academy of SC and Joyful Souls Heirloom Nursery, is a visionary program designed to transform 2 acres of underutilized land in Columbia, SC (29203) into a community-centered urban agriculture hub. Recognized by the USDA as a food desert, this area lacks access to healthy, affordable food—and The GROW Farm aims to change that.

The space will feature a multi-functional food forest, including a teaching greenhouse, raised and in-ground garden beds, a pollinator garden, a children’s sensory garden, fruit and berry orchards, and a high tunnel. Additionally, outdoor classrooms and workshop areas will host educational programming focused on agricultural skills, nutrition, sustainability, and wellness.

Conveniently located within walking distance of nearby neighborhoods and accessible by public transportation, The GROW Farm will provide fresh produce, hands-on learning, and therapeutic environments that support mental health, community bonding, and environmental stewardship.

This initiative—co-directed by Jennifer Cunningham (Palmetto Learning Academy of SC) and Lisa O. Kershaw (Joyful Souls Heirloom Nursery)—will serve as a model for sustainable urban development, offering a replicable blueprint for empowering underserved communities through green innovation, education, and wellness.