Black Seeds Urban Farm in Uptown Memphis earns grant, equipment from garden tool company

Black Seeds Urban Farm , an urban garden in the Greenlaw neighborhood of Uptown Memphis, was one of five gardens in North America to receive a grant from Fiskars, an international garden tool brand, this summer.

The grant, from Fiskars' Project Orange Thumb, comes with $15,000 and a donation of gardening tools and is the second time Black Seeds received the project's grant.

"We are so impressed by the great work Black Seeds is doing in this community and feel honored to be part of their story," Fiskars Americas' senior manager of communication and engagement Leah Huibregtse said in a statement. "This year Fiskars is celebrating our 375th anniversary and as a nod to our heritage, we wanted to revisit gardens we've invested in along the way. Memphis is a long way from our humble beginnings in a small Finnish village in 1649, but the alignment with our values of sustainability and desire to make the everyday extraordinary made us perfect partners for Project Orange Thumb."

Black Seeds was founded by Bobby Rich and Derravia Rich and provides fresh produce to the surrounding area. The garden also features seating and hammocks for those who wish to relax.

"We are incredibly grateful for the generous support from Fiskars Inc.," Derravia Rich said. "This grant has significantly enhanced our ability to serve the community, enabling us to expand our urban farming operations and provide fresh, healthy food to more families. Fiskars' commitment to sustainability and community development aligns perfectly with our mission, and we are excited about the positive impact this partnership will continue to make."

Bobby Rich also expressed gratitude to the group for the grant and said it would greatly enhance the educational programs Black Seeds runs as well as allow them to produce a larger crop.

"The Fiskars grant has been a game-changer for us. It has allowed us to use essential tools and resources that improve our farming practices and increase our yield. This support not only helps us grow more food but also strengthens our educational programs, empowering local residents to start their own gardens. We're deeply appreciative of Fiskars' dedication to supporting urban agriculture," he said.

Black Seeds describes itself as "a local food movement that has its roots in a desire to grow organic, non-toxic, nutritious foods for Memphians who have little or no access to sustainable foods."

Black Seeds was only one of five gardens chosen for the grant funding this year. And, according to Fiskars, it is one of only two gardens to receive the grant twice in Project Orange Thumb's 20-year history.

In addition to the grant and the tool donation, Fiskars employees from the Southaven location spent time volunteering at the Black Seeds garden in Uptown after the grant was awarded.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Black Seeds Urban Farm in Uptown Memphis earns grant, equipment from garden tool company