With conservation protection in place, Lynchburg Grows looks ahead

Lynchburg Grows has no shortage of New Year’s resolutions.

On its list for the coming year? Chasing down self-sufficiency, protecting its property from the developer’s bulldozer and creating an entire ecosystem.

“We’re feeling good,” said executive director Michael Van Ness. “Even though the growing season is over right now, our staff and volunteers are hard at work. We’re hoping that, this year, we’ll cease to be such a hidden treasure of Lynchburg in a way. We’re ready to open our doors and show the public what we’re about.”

Lynchburg Grows, a nonprofit urban farm operating out of an old rose nursery next to City Stadium, promotes the principles of community agriculture and sustainable living.

This month, it got the green light from City Council to establish a local conservation easement that will protect its 6.8-acre property from development in perpetuity. In presenting the proposal, officials noted that Lynchburg Grows is vital to the city’s long-term vision for that area, which calls for the development of a comprehensive park and recreation space.

“This is an integral part of that urban park environment and the open space we want there,” City Manager Kimball Payne said.

“We often talk about smart growth,” said At-large Councilman Randy Nelson. “This piece of property sits right next to one of the key recreational facilities in the City of Lynchburg … I think it makes very good sense to get this done and get it done as soon as possible.”

In addition to being a neighbor to City Stadium, Lynchburg Grows also borders the old Allen-Morrison Corp. industrial property, which the city has acquired and hopes to one day transform into a park. Lynchburg Grows would then serve as a link between that amenity and the stadium.

The conservation easement, which will be enforced by the city, will legally prevent Lynchburg Grows and any future owners from developing the farm’s land. Final execution of the contracts is still pending as officials are writing some additional language to address what will happen if Lynchburg Grows ever vacates the property.

The creation of an easement will allow Lynchburg Grows to apply for conservation tax credits in the future and further its goal of achieving financial self-sufficiency. Last year, the nonprofit earned enough income through the sale of its crops to meet 33 percent of its expenses. Other funds were raised through donations and grants.

This year, the group would like to push closer to 50 percent self-sufficiency.

“We really feel like we’re on track to wean ourselves off donations so other groups can access those dollars,” said Van Ness, noting that Lynchburg Grows is expanding into renting out space for events and selling roses grown from the plantings left behind by the old nursery, which was in operation from 1919 to 1999.

“Everyone can have a piece of Lynchburg’s history through these roses,” Van Ness said. “Since 2004 (when Lynchburg Grows was established), we’ve been saving every one that we could. After years of trying, we’ve finally learned how to propagate them and now we have 880-some bushes.”

In addition to selling its roses, Lynchburg Grows also donates thousands of flowers every year to churches, nursing homes and nonprofits. It also donates a portion of its crops to local soup kitchens.

This year, the group started work on a major new capital project, an aquaponics greenhouse that will bring plants, water and fish together in one sustainable environment. Organizers foresee the greenhouse being an educational showcase that will demonstrate how different elements of an ecosystem both support and feed off one another.

They also expect to be able to double the amount of crop yield they can get out of the greenhouse space as the plants will grow vertically, climbing out of the 5,000 gallon water tanks that will form the basis of the system.

Lynchburg Grows plans to phase in the aquaponics program gradually over the next year, refining it as they go. The project is being funded by a recently completed capital campaign that raised $150,000.

Van Ness said the group is “delighted” about council’s approval of the conservation easement and looking forward to furthering its partnership with the city.

“Our property is right in the middle of about 40 acres of city-owned parkland, but it’s zoned heavy industrial,” he said. “By creating this conservation easement, we’re going to keep the property from being incompatibly developed and becoming a detriment to the city.”

“Our mission is to help the community have access to these spaces and enjoy the benefits of growing healthy food,” he added. “…We want as many people as possible to enjoy this unique resource we have right here in the heart of Lynchburg.”