When supply chain disruptions, food recalls, and rising grocery prices threaten local communities, the key to sustainability might just be right in our own backyards. On a recent segment of the Wake Up With Dee Morning Show, Bobby L. Wilson, CEO and co-founder of the Metro Atlanta Urban Farm (MAUF), joined Dr. Dee Dawkins-Haigler to deliver an empowering message: it’s time to get back to basics and learn to grow our own food.
Wilson, a 2022 Top 10 CNN Hero of the Year who helped feed over 25,000 households during the pandemic, has spent over 35 years advocating for urban agriculture, health, and economic empowerment. Through his 5-acre farm in College Park, GA, MAUF serves as an agricultural educational center, a sanctuary for youth and seniors, and a reliable source of chemical-free, naturally grown produce for underserved communities.
Now, Wilson is igniting a massive new movement to equip 250,000 households with the tools, seeds, and knowledge to grow their own food.
The Inaugural PLANTED National Food Sovereignty Conference
To spearhead this movement, the Metro Atlanta Urban Farm, in partnership with the Clark Atlanta University School of Business and Economics, Impact Church, and other faith and community organizations, is hosting the PLANTED Conference.
Inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s call to "The Fierce Urgency of Now," this three-day event is designed to combat food insecurity, promote self-sufficiency, and restore dignity through hands-on urban agriculture.
- Dates: October 25–27, 2026
- Locations:
- Oct 25 (Kick-off & Worship): Impact Church (2323 Sylvan Rd, East Point, GA)
- Oct 26–27 (Sessions & Panels): Clark Atlanta University (Thomas W. Cole Jr. Research Center, 223 James P. Brawley Dr. SW, Atlanta, GA)
- Conference Highlights:
- Hands-on gardening workshops & pest/disease management strategies
- Panel discussions on intergenerational food sovereignty and youth empowerment
- Policy, advocacy forums, and vendor expos
- Guided walking tours of the Atlanta University Center (AUC)
Get Involved & Visit Metro Atlanta Urban Farm
Whether you're an experienced grower or looking to plant your very first seed, Metro Atlanta Urban Farm offers community workshops, grow bag distribution, and free seeds to help you start your home garden.
- Register for the PLANTED Conference or Donate: Visit themetroatlantaurbanfarm.org
- Visit the Farm: 3271 Main Street, College Park, GA 30337
- Office Phone: 404-788-2432
- Email: mauf@planted2026.org / bobbymauf@gmail.com
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From food deserts to backyard gardens: How Metro Atlanta Urban Farm and the inaugural PLANTED Conference are empowering communities to combat food insecurity.
From food deserts to backyard gardens: How Metro Atlanta Urban Farm and the inaugural PLANTED Conference are empowering communities to combat food insecurity.
