Memphis Urban Farming Initiative Empowers Veterans

Memphis, September 22, 2025

News Summary

A movement in Memphis is supporting veterans through urban farming initiatives that focus on healing and community building. Alpha Omega Veterans Services operates farms that offer agricultural training and therapeutic gardening opportunities for local veterans, fostering responsibility and collaboration. The program has produced over 80 pounds of fresh produce, significantly contributing to local food production while providing essential resources for veterans reintegrating into civilian life. The initiative continues to honor the memory of advocates like Mia Madison, who played a critical role in urban gardening efforts across the city.

Memphis is witnessing a growing movement to support its veterans through urban farming initiatives that focus on healing and community building. Operated by Alpha Omega Veterans Services, urban farms provide essential resources such as agricultural training and therapeutic gardening opportunities for local veterans.

One of these urban farms, located at 2226 Ball Road in the Alcy-Ball neighborhood, has been home to U.S. Air Force veteran Steve Jones, who has maintained a flock of egg-laying hens there for the past three years. This farm is part of a larger effort by Alpha Omega Veterans Services, a nonprofit organization committed to helping veterans access housing, treatment, and benefits.

Alpha Omega operates two farms to support local veterans, including one farm that serves as the Veterans Urban Farm, located at the intersection of College Avenue and Smith Street in Columbia, Missouri. Launched in 2020, this project has become an integral part of the Columbia Center for Urban Agriculture (CCUA), which allows veterans to partake in agricultural training and recreational therapy while engaging with their community.

In collaboration with the Harry S. Truman VA Hospital, the Veterans Urban Farm offers various health programs tailored for transitional work environments that cater to the unique needs of veterans. With over 40 veterans residing nearby, the farm has fostered a welcoming atmosphere, allowing participants to share their experiences and challenges while engaging in productive farming activities.

The farms have made significant contributions to local food production, yielding over 80 pounds of fresh produce, including tomatoes, peppers, and other vegetables. This sustainable approach not only provides nourishment but also encourages responsibility and collaboration among veterans and volunteers who assist with various farming tasks.

Dustin Cook, the veterans program manager at the CCUA, emphasizes the importance of community support, which is essential for veterans as they navigate the challenges of reintegrating into civilian life. The Veterans Urban Farm plans to further its mission by expanding its facilities, including the introduction of the Warrior’s Garden, an ADA-accessible location designed specifically for veterans with disabilities.

Additionally, the urban farming initiative in Memphis faces a poignant moment with the passing of Mia Madison, the executive director of Memphis Tilth. Madison was a key figure in establishing multiple sustainability initiatives and urban gardening initiatives across the city, fostering a network of over 55 gardens that have supported local communities. Her tragic death in a car crash has left many, including City Councilwoman Michalyn Easter-Thomas, mourning the loss of a dedicated advocate for urban gardening efforts.

Alpha Omega Veterans Services continues to provide housing and counseling assistance to over 120 veterans across multiple facilities in Memphis, ensuring that they receive the support needed to thrive both personally and professionally.

The culinary and therapeutic benefits of urban farming continue to uplift the spirits of many veterans in Memphis and Columbia, reaffirming the vital role that community-driven initiatives play in the healing and empowerment of those who have served the nation.

FAQ Section

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Key Features of Urban Farms Supporting Veterans

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

HERE Resources

Reviving Black Agriculture: Over 43,000 Farmers Benefit from $2.2 Billion USDA Settlement in Memphis
Exciting News: Black Seeds Urban Farm in Memphis Awarded $15,000 Grant from Fiskars

Additional Resources

• Daily Memphian: Memphis Two Farms Veterans Back to Nature
• Columbia’s Urban Veterans Farm is More Than a Sanctuary
• Commercial Appeal: Memphis Urban Farm – Memphis Tilth & Alpha Omega Veterans Services
• Commercial Appeal: Mia Madison Killed in Car Crash – Memphis Urban Gardening
• Daily Memphian: Alpha Omega Veterans Services Plowing New Ground with Urban Farm
• Wikipedia: Urban Agriculture
• Google Search: Veterans Urban Farming Initiatives
• Google Scholar: Urban Farming Veterans
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Urban Agriculture
• Google News: Urban Farming Veterans

Author: STAFF HERE MEMPHIS WRITER

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