A Manatee County man is pushing to help bring more fresh veggies and fruits to an East Bradenton neighborhood.
Sgt. 1st Class Shaun Ausborn doesn’t want to bring a new store to the area, but rather a farm to help community members grow their own food.
He’s hoping to build the farm on a piece of vacant land on 13th Avenue East. It sits next to the 3-265 Air Defense Artillery National Guard Regiment where he works.
And soon, he hopes to be working alongside all of his neighbors, planting and watching food grow. Ausborn said he thinks the area needs a community farm because it is lacking quality food access.
“This area is what is considered a food desert,” said Ausborn. “Basically that means they don’t have access to fruits and vegetables within a mile distance as far as shopping centers or as far as corner stores.”
Ausborn thinks having the farm would encourage residents to eat healthier and having them grow the food and maintain the farm themselves, would make them appreciate it even more.
“The way they eat as a child is going to be the way they eat as a adults and it’s also going to form their body make up,” said Ausborn.
He said he came up with the idea after reading an article in a magazine about how a non-profit in Kansas is helping low income communities grow their own produce.
An act that inspired him to do the same thing in the community where he now lives and works.
Ausborn said once he gets approval from the city, he plans to start the farm immediately.
Ausborn is also working with the 13th Avenue Dream Center, Just for Girls and nearby schools, hoping to get kids involved with the farming.
Anyone interested in helping with the project can contact Ausborn at: shaun.ausborn3@gmail.com.