Nick Stanich takes Franklinton Gardens produce to the market.
Ohio University alum Nick Stanich ’08 is helping one of the oldest neighborhoods in Columbus to grow food, create beauty, and build community.
Stanich is the director of Franklinton Gardens, a non-profit urban farm dedicated to growing and sharing healthy food, creating beauty, and building community with our neighbors. Many of their garden sites are on lots that once had abandoned houses.
Stanich earned a B.S. in Environmental Biology and an Environmental Studies Certificate from the College of Arts & Sciences at Ohio University.
“Franklinton is a ‘food desert,’ a neighborhood without ready access to fresh, healthy, and affordable food. Instead of buying food from a supermarket, residents are limited to fast food restaurants and convenience stores that offer few healthy, affordable food options. The lack of access contributes to a poor diet and can lead to higher levels of obesity and other diet-related diseases, such as diabetes and heart disease,”according to the Franklinton Gardens website.
“Started in 2007 as a lone community garden on a small vacant lot, Franklinton Gardens has since developed into a thriving network of gardens and food production sites scattered throughout the neighborhood’s urban landscape. In addition to our organic food production efforts, we offer a wide range of garden-based activities, educational programs, and employment opportunities in order to empower neighbors and build a healthy community.”
Growing food is the cornerstone of our efforts to improve the neighborhood. Franklinton Gardens has grown and donated thousands of pounds of fresh food to local food pantries.
Creating beauty in the Franklinton neighborhood is an important part of our mission to improve our community. Turning abandoned lots into gardens is just one way Franklinton Gardens creates beauty.
Building community among neighbors in Franklinton will have long lasting benefits that will last generations. Franklinton Gardens hosts many community events, as well as providing neighbors the opportunity to take part in the Avondale Community Garden.
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