In 1989, Brian Harrison moved into Ormewood Park, into a cozy house nestled off Berne Street, overlooking a stream and acres of undeveloped land. As his neighborhood began to change and developers started putting in homes, he began purchasing lots bit by bit in 1996 behind his house, with plans to keep it undeveloped..
After collecting almost six acres and feeling the pinch of property taxes, Brian, know to most of his friends and neighbors as Red, decided to have the property declared farm land. As one of the few pieces of land officially recognized by the city as farm land, Red began leasing lots to friends and neighbors in order to help pay for the property and keep it green space.
It took a few years to conquer the kudzu that had run rampant for years, but eventually, Brian, now known as Farmer Red, was able to clear space enough for his garden, as well as for two additional lots. The land has a variety of topography, including a creek meandering through shady slopes, and farm plots being cultivated on more level ground near the top of a hill. Leaving part of the land uncultivated provides a home for some of the inner-city wildlife that is being forced from their homes by the development in the area.
One of his plots is being worked by a friend he met at GAIA Garden. The growers of the second lot are the parents of a friend Brian met at a James Brown art show at Sabra Art Gallery in East Atlanta. There’s also a beekeeper keeping beehives on part of the farm.
In addition to the gardens and bees, Brian has also allowed the property to be used by the Hashers running club, Georgia Students for Sustainability, a Kingfisher School field trip, the neighborhood Sowers and Growers club, and various neighborhood dogwalkers.
Maintaining the space can be an ominous responsibility. Brian has gone through many lawnmowers, weed whacker machines, chainsaws and other gardening tools. As gas prices have risen, Farmer Red has been letting the meadow grow a little taller between mowings. Some neighbors have pitched in to help with the gardening and upkeeping, and through contributions to the farm, as well.
Brian has applied with the USDA for an irrigation system and perhaps some help with a pond, the stream bank restoration and other projects. He is currently working with various organizations such as Park Pride to hopefully set up an account to receive donations for maintenance and projects in the garden, and perhaps to preserve the area as green space for the future. So stop by UFO to chat up Farmer Red, and maybe see some of the grapes, peaches, tomatoes, onions, garlic, okra, greens, radishes, peas, beans, squash, cucumbers or other fresh garden items that might be sprouting.