About

It all started when…

Karen Gordon & Carla Walker met for lunch at a South Richmond County staple - Villa Europa Restaurant - to discuss a project. Gordon was looking to produce a series of concerts on local farms as an agri-tourism promotion, and Walker had been working diligently to advocate for local farmers and hobby growers.

No strangers to community activism and service in Augusta, but new residents in South Augusta, they spoke about the dearth of markets and resources in “the neighborhood.” Having already connected with elected officials and organization leaders, they began to do the work of identifying and promoting existing resources.

Walker and Gordon were asked to present their work - Soul & Soil Initiative - at Georgia Organics’ 2018 Potluck & Pitch event. Soul & Soil was conceived as a live-work-play resource. One in which artisans, growers, and creators can grow their businesses online and within their own communities.

The project was fully funded. The name was changed to GROWING AUGUSTA: ARTS, AGRICULTURE, AND AGENCY, and the pop-up market at Jamestown Community Center is steadily growing. A full-time weekly market is expected to launch in Fall 2019.