AgriPark, in Fishers, Indiana, Connects Urban Community To AgricultureAgriPark Connects Urban Community To Agriculture

Farm to raise produce for local food pantries

• Erica Quinlan  |  AgriNews Publications
•  
  • Mar 22, 2018

FISHERS, Ind. — A 30-acre city park in Fishers will serve as a functioning farm in 2018.

The Fishers AgriPark will be the largest park in the country that’s dedicated solely to a working farm.

The park will feature crops, livestock, aquaponics, an outdoor classroom, farmers market and eating area, as well as beehives. Volunteers will help to plant and harvest produce.

It also will fill a need in the community by donating a third of the produce raised to food pantries.

Jonathan Lawler, executive director of Brandywine Creek Farms, will operate the park’s farm.

“A third of the produce will go to Hamilton County Food Pantry, as well as food deserts in Indianapolis,” he said. “We’re hoping to produce half a million pounds on the property. It has the potential to produce more.

“We’re estimating close to 50,000 visitors to this park in the first year. This is a huge educational opportunity. It’s free to get in. There are low-cost classes you can take, as well.”

Lawler is on the lookout for sponsors to help the farm thrive.

“The more sponsors who step up, the easier our job will be,” he said.

Mayor Scott Fadness said that the park will help enhance quality of life and reduce hunger in the city.

“It also will provide opportunities for volunteers to get their hands dirty and help grow food that will be donated to local food pantries,” he said. “It’s an asset unlike anything we have.”

“Many Hoosiers are several generations removed from farming and give little thought to where their food comes from,” Lawler said. “This will be a very approachable place to reconnect with the land and to get involved in efforts to end hunger in our communities.”

The park will be located at 113th Street and Florida Road. It will be open dawn to dusk during the growing season.

Learn more at: https://in-fishers2.civicplus.com/1000/Fishers-AgriPark.

Erica Quinlan can be reached at 800-426-9438, ext. 193, or equinlan@agrinews-pubs.com. Follow her on Twitter at: @AgNews_Quinlan