Come find out what we’ve been up to at the Bensley Agrihood
Work Days
Agroforestry Consultations
We have been working with Professor Joel Koci from VSU to assess the quality, opportunities, and possibilities for agroforestry plans on site in the Bensley Agrihood. To learn more about VSUs work with agroforestry and upcoming agricultural events HERE
MLK Day of Service
We had 4 volunteers come and help us cut down a section of the brush around where the incubator farm learning garden will be. We had a great time jamming to music and getting to know each other See pictures HERE
Permaculture Work
Our team has been learning about permaculture hands-on through community resources and community partners roughout the Chesterfield, Petersburg and Richmond region. To learn more about Permaculture in the Richmond-region, click HERE
Goatscaping with RVA GOATS
We had the pleasure of hosting a team of goats and sheep from RVAgoats that cleared a considerable section of land in the proposed incubator farm and learning garden area. Learn more about RVA goats HERE. See photos of the goats HERE!
Shenandoah Permaculture Design Group
Within the parametrs of the proposed Incubator farm and Learning garden, the Woodmont Permaculture group designed 6 different renditions of the site. These renditions consider the mission, vision and objectives of the incubator farm and are centered around preserving cultural heritage, cultivating community, (both plant and human) and establishing space for resources to exist.
Hearn more about the Woodmont Permaculture Design Course HERE
Experimental Permies
Experimental Permies have developed a design that includes an educational wetland, congregational amphitheater, food forest and livestock area, as well as a community center and kitchen area.View more
Earthworms
Centering on the history of the Bensley Agrihood the earthworms group designed around the Gillette garden and considered water management outdoor cooking structures, and seating. View more
Guilding Bensley
Basing their design off of permaculture principles and the mission statement of the Bensley agrihood, Guilding Bensley included a three sisters Garden, native pollinator garden , murals and a nopales cacti patch. View more
Group 5
Group 5 was inspired to incorporate vibrancy, sustainability and the integration of accessible planting to design a space for an education lab, school bus greenhouse as well a sensory and rain garden that supports wildlife ad agricultural education. View more
Wabi-Sabi
Wabi Sabi’s design included a chicken coop and apiary, fungi forest, and pavilions and playgrounds as well. There is also a space for food trucks and parking for farmers markets. View more
Agriculture and Communal Education
Community engagement lesson with Virginia Community Voice
Virginia Community Voice is an organization that addresses equity by encouraging institutions and organizations to engage and make decisions regarding historically marginalized communities. Another session is coming up soon so STAY TUNED
Permaculture talks at Community events
We had the pleasure of hearing from our partners Joel Koci, Patrick Johnson and our project coordinator, Danielle Freeman Jefferson at our inaugural event. They covered topics of Agroforestry and the importance of Forest Bathing, needs and important principles of permaculture, and the presence of indigenous medicines in the trees, bushes, and plants that we are familiar with
Girls for a change Camp Diva
Camp Diva is a 6 week camp for black girls in the Richmond-region where the girls experience a wealth of activities, workshops and lessons surrounding identity, leadership, and craft. This summer, three classes of girls between the ages of 10-14 were introduced to the concept of an agrihood through the lens of community support networks, or more specifically, the permaculture principle of companion planting. We explored the history of herbalism, the support networks that plants use, and there support networks that they experience in their own communities. To learn more about how the classes went and see some photos from class Click HERE
Do you work or live in the Bensley area?
Testimonials
“The agrihood is an example of what can happen when compassion and innovation intersect.”
Angela Patton, CEO and Founder of Girls For A Change
“No matter who or what you came from, we all have to eat food”
Duron Chavis, Executive Director of Happily Natural Day