The story of Anathoth Community Garden began in 2005 after a murder occurred down the road from the Garden site. Cedar Grove United Methodist Church held a prayer vigil for healing and peace at the site of the murder. Mrs. Scenobia Taylor (an black woman) was present at the vigil and had a vision that she was to donate 5 acres of her land to the (prodominately white) church for the healing of the community.
With Mrs. Taylor's vision and that of Pastor Grace Hackney, the skill and dedication of our first Garden Director, Fred Bahnson, and the amazing efforts of neighbors from all across the region, beds were dug and planted and the vision became a reality. Since 2005 Anathoth has been dedicated to growing and sharing healthy food. But the Garden has never simply been about growing food. Its goal has also been to grow community and build relationships across racial and economic barriers.
We are a ministry committed to cultivating more peaceful, thriving and diverse communities by using regenerative agriculture to teach youth and adults how to care for their neighbors, their bodies and the land.
