Farmer Red
I love my neighborhood. I live two miles from downtown Atlanta in a 1920’s bungalow in a section of town called Ormewood Park. Huge trees dwarf the bungalows and Victorian homes, children play out in the street and almost every house has a front porch with a swing. You can have your morning coffee and read a newspaper on the front swing while listening to the birds and watching your neighbors stroll by. You would never know you were so close to downtown until you crested one of the hilly streets and caught a glimpse of the glass and steel buildings that make up the downtown landscape.
Almost everyone has a garden and for those without the time, space or a green thumb there is a local farmers market. All the produce is locally and organically grown and there are fresh breads and artisan cheeses sold there as well. One of the farmers who sells his vegetables at the market is my neighbor Red. He cut off his signature red braids a few years ago, but I can still notice him from 100 yards away by his overalls and big smile. Red is one of the kindest souls you will ever meet, I’ve never heard him say an unkind word about anyone and he is always there to help a friend in need.
When the word got out that Red needed help to fund his communal garden his friends decided to throw a benefit for UFO or Urban Farm Ormewood. The benefit was held yesterday at Red’s farm which is eight acres of rolling farmland edged by a stream right in the heart of Ormewood Park.
The land has had many incarnations. It was a camp for the Yankee soldiers during the Civil War; it was the site of a turn of the century amusement park and a baptismal site for the Methodist church. Red has managed to keep the space intact as new homes are added to the border every year. The land seems grateful and spits out gifts of old toys, soda bottles and Civil War belt buckles.
The farm is in back of Red’s house and a path was cut though the tall grass and lined with torches leading the way to the garden. The neighbors brought food, beer and wine and Red cooked pots full of greens and the cheese maker grilled homemade Italian sausages. Several bands played as neighbors ate and caught up with each other. Artwork, jewelry and tequila shots were auctioned off and everyone added to the donation jar.
The night was a success and hopefully it will allow Red to stave off the developers for another year and keep the largest private farm/green space in Ormewood Park.