Baton Roots has a big future. This summer, the Huey and Angelina Wilson Foundation gifted Baton Roots $50,000 to support the community farm’s mission of eliminating food deserts.
The Huey and Angelina Wilson Foundation funds efforts in the areas of human services, healthcare, education, and prison reentry. They strive to positively impact and strengthen the organizations and institutions that address the underlying causes of societal problems.
Baton Roots Community Farm and extended programming at schools, public housing sites, and other community locations, serve as healthy oases in Baton Rouge’s food desert. Baton Roots blends hands-on gardening, education, affordable food production, local hiring, and creative placemaking to inspire a culture of health and wellness throughout the community.
The program recently expanded to three high school sites, Arlington Academy (for special needs children), multiple public housing sites, and a community site through Hope Ministries.
With the grant, Baton Roots plans to increase vegetable production, expand distribution, increase the impact of Baton Roots programming through programs such as Hustle and Grow, Harmony Gardens, food preparation demonstrations, and other means of direct community resident engagement; seek alliances with groups who can connect to those most in need, promote educational programming more aggressively and increase Baton Roots employment opportunities.
Learn more about the Huey and Angelina Wilson Foundation on their website.