OUR STORY
Healthy soil, healthy food, healthy communities
In 2010, a group of volunteers headed by Bill Bilodeau and Emmanuel Roux transformed several lots of the Faith House, an alcohol and drug rehab center, into an urban farm as a therapeutic vegetable garden to provide fresh nutrient-dense food to the residents.
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In 2016 the organization was saved from shutting down following a loss of federal funding. Mark Hunter, a social entrepreneur in collaboration with Emmanuel Roux redefined the organization's mission and the concept of an innovative educational urban farm was developed.
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In 2023 the addition of a commercial kitchen and event space transformed again 15th St EcoFarm into a urban oasis in the heart of Down Town St Pete where residents come to reconnect with nature, discover the true taste of ultra-fresh organically grown food, learn, socialize and enjoy themed dinners and cooking classes
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The revenues generated by dinners, tours and classes fund the nonprofit mission by providing free outreach, gardening and wellness classes to less fortunate neighbors.
OUR TEAM
We are grateful for the countless hours of many dedicated volunteers that make this project possible
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Emmanuel Roux
Founder
Gastronome
Urban Farmer & Dreamer
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Bill Bilodeau
Honorary Co-founder
Permaculture Sage
Mark Hunter
Volunteer
Hunter Family Foundation LoveLearnServe.com
Bill Reid
Builder
Humanist
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Jacob
Entertainer
Creative Learning Coach
Official Greeter
Haley Gaetano
Farm Manager
Hillary Hepp, PE, LEED AP
Wellness and Development Director
Integrative Nutrition Health Coach
Betsy Barbour
Education Outreach Director
Micaela Robinson
Social Media Director
Mike Wheeler
Mango Specialist
Fixer of everything
Layla Petrovich
Farm Intern
Youth Ambassador
Kenny Bishop
Irrigation Magician
Asyria Nelson
Seedlings Nurturer
Damien White
People & Plants Nurturer
Educator
Gabriel Schnieder
Seedlings Mother
Cary Catts
Nurseryman
Matt Blackett
Intern
Amber
Gardner & Fitness Coach
Brenon Duff
Herbalist
Asaf Baruh
Native Plants