Alpharetta, Georgia – The Alpharetta Community Agriculture Program has taken a big step toward establishing its future Agriculture & Sustainability Education Center at Old Rucker Farm. In just two weeks since launching its $650,000 fundraising campaign, the program has secured more than $300,000 in combined private donations and grant funding.
The early success includes more than $150,000 in private donations, which will match the $150,000 grant that the Food Well Alliance City Agriculture Plan gave out in 2022. This success brings the campaign almost halfway to its total target and shows how much the community is getting excited about sustainable farming and hands-on environmental education.
Amanda Musilli, the City of Alpharetta’s Community Agriculture & Sustainability Services Manager, stated that the outpouring of support shows how much people and groups care about Old Rucker Farm.
“We are thrilled to see this kind of momentum so early in the campaign,” said Amanda Musilli. “The response from both individual, private donors and community organizations shows just how much people value the role of Old Rucker Farm as a hub for learning, growing, and giving back. With continued support, we can make the Education Center a reality!”
The new Education Center will turn the old farmhouse into a permanent home for learning about farming and the environment once it is finished. The new building will make it possible for the farm to hold more seminars, workshops, and hands-on programming for kids, families, and adults. It will also give school groups, corporations, and individuals additional chances to get involved with projects that promote sustainable farming and food security.
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Old Rucker Farm is now 1.2 acres big and has places for growing vegetables, herbs, and flowers, as well as an orchard, a chicken coop, a pollinator garden, and an open-air school. It is located in Old Rucker Park. The Alpharetta Community Agriculture Program has given North Fulton Community Charities’ food pantry hundreds of pounds of fresh vegetables since it started in 2018. It has also been a place for people to learn about the environment and volunteer.
Donations to the Education Center campaign are tax-deductible and can be made through the Alpharetta Community Agriculture Program’s website. For information about corporate sponsorships or media inquiries, residents can contact Amanda Musilli at [email protected].
With this strong early support, Alpharetta’s vision for a thriving educational and agricultural area is quickly coming together. This space will strengthen community ties and encourage people to live sustainably for years to come.
