(MEMPHIS, TENN – November 15, 2022) – The City of Memphis Division of Housing and Community Development in partnership with Knowledge Quest and Valero will host a grand opening ceremony for the expansion of Knowledge Quest’s Green Leaf Learning Farm on Tuesday, November 15, 2022.
The farm originated in 2010, as Knowledge Quest transformed thirty formerly vacant, blighted lots including the repurposing of three formerly vacant, abandoned buildings into a 3-acre urban, micro-farm positioned on their Main Campus. Formally initiated to support the nutritional needs of the South Memphis community.
Green Leaf now operates as a USDA Certified Organic farm that focuses its efforts on three strategic pillars: good health and nutrition education, community/economic development, and healthy food access/security. On the farm, students and family members learn how to grow food in ways that build community and increase neighborhood access to healthy foods. Knowledge Quest’s students and their families become healthy eaters, entrepreneurs, and advocates for social and environmental justice.
The City of Memphis Division of Housing and Community Development has been an avid supporter of Knowledge Quest and its Green Leaf Learning Farm. From past investments in farm-based collegiate dormitories through energy conservation bonds to active renovations to the Gaston Community Center, the city has partnered with Knowledge Quest to serve children and families in the neighborhood. This investment in Green Leaf’s expansion will help to reduce food insecurity in one of the area’s most significant poverty and food crisis’ communities while undergirding the City of Memphis’ commitment to blight remediation and community development.
Valero Energy has quietly served as one of Knowledge Quest’s longest standing corporate supporters. Employee volunteerism has been most significant over the years with team members performing a myriad of tasks from light construction and built environment improvements to direct engagement with Knowledge Quest’s students around STEM education. With their support of the Green Leaf Learning Farm’s Ag Innovation Greenhouses, students will be exposed to career explorations in robotics, engineering, and chemistry related fields. In addition to increasing capacity to grow healthy food, the greenhouses will expose students to advancements around traditional row crop agriculture as well as contemporary innovations in urban, indoor agriculture through hydroponics, aquaponics and other water nutrient based growing mediums.
For More Information: For more information about the Green Leaf Learning Farm contact Knowledge Quest at www.knowledgequest.org