By Whitnie Yoder, ABAC Agricultural Communication, May 2025 graduate
Lettuce and tomatoes are easier to grow than you think, and Flint River Fresh is here to show you how. Based out of Albany, Georgia, this nonprofit specializes in experiential learning at local schools through backyard garden models. The volunteer organization proves that no space is too small to have a garden.
Fredando Jackson, Executive Director at Flint River Fresh, combines his skills of growing produce with his heart for the youth and his community. Better known as ‘Farmer Fredo,’ community members across the tristate area learn from him and his team through interactive agriculture and conservation lessons.
“Our goal is to make fresh food more accessible, and we work to make that possible in a variety of ways,” Jackson said. “Be it at local schools, community centers, or partnering with farmers in the area, we seek to provide these opportunities through agriculture.”
Through youth leadership, food access, land conservation and economic opportunities, the team at Flint River Fresh strives to make a difference in the lives of their community members. “At the end of the day, I just want to create a table where everyone is welcome,” said Jackson. More than providing free produce, this organization teaches enterprise and entrepreneurship.
Flint River Fresh partners with Sunbelt Expo each year to provide quality insight into what it takes to grow fresh produce. You can find the large demonstration garden, with interactive seminars happening daily. Some areas you can expect to learn about are irrigation, tool identification, and how to care for raised bed gardens.
Jackson said, “I love helping people learn how easy it is to cook with their fresh produce.” Meal examples and cooking demonstrations are a highlight of the FRF booth.
Jackson also said that agriculture can be implemented in everything, especially the school system.
Jackson said, “[Flint River Fresh] always takes the opportunity to instill this vital industry in the youth. We get to help students understand their other studies through agriculture.”
Apart from the practical use of these gardens, young students learn to associate colors with the produce, numbers with the harvest, and much more. Older students can learn cultivation and be responsible for the produce harvest.
Community members also benefit from the efforts of Flint River Fresh. Apart from their Sunbelt Expo demonstration garden, locations span across southern Georgia. Excess produce is donated to food banks or local schools. The network of local farmers that they regularly interact with is comprised of a variety of individuals. Community members, full time farmers, and employees from both NRCS and the USDA are all friends of the organization. The fresh produce giveaways are appreciated by many.
Be sure to put the Flint River Fresh Demonstration Garden on your list to visit at Expo this year. To learn more on time and location specifics, check out the schedule and map in the 2024 Show Guide.
