The farm in the Kinsman-Cleveland area transformed a former landfill into a flourishing food ecosystem.
Rid-All Green is one of Ohio's largest farms. The group started with 1.3 acres and expanded to 18 acres over 13 years, helping to address food scarcity in neighborhoods around Cleveland.
Randy McShepherd is one of the co-founders of Rid-All. According to him, there is a high rate of diabetes, heart disease, and cancer in the area, which is largely linked to diet.
"We thought we could change this situation if we create a space where people can not only learn how to grow healthy food but also get good advice on how to consume it," - McShepherd said.
Here, there are six greenhouses, two hoop houses, a fish farm, and a communal kitchen that offers healthy meals twice a week.
Kema Durdin is also a co-founder of Rid-All. He believes there should be more places in the community where residents can go for groceries.
"We found that many locals are forced to buy food at the same place where they buy gas or lottery tickets — in a corner store. Within an 8-10 mile radius, there is not a single grocery store where people can go and buy fresh and nutritious food, and we want to meet these needs," Durdin said.
The farm also offers classes on dietetics and cooking, as well as a five-month program that teaches people farming skills.
"We teach people everything we know about the art and science of farming, from the importance of soil to how to make compost. And about how the quality of your soil affects the quality of the produce you grow. We also teach fish farming and talk about the farming business," - McShepherd said.
According to him, their goal is to discourage fast food consumption, educate about the importance of a healthy lifestyle, and reduce health problems.
"It breaks our hearts to see children with chips and soda going to school, wanting to replace them with proper nutrition that includes all kinds of fruits and vegetables. We know they will feel better, learn better, and all data show that we, as a community, will live longer," - McShepherd said.
The farm is located in an area once called the Forgotten Triangle, but now it is becoming a safe place for families.
"Before we arrived here, no one wanted to use this playground; people were scared of illegal activity, but now we have transformed the community and turned it into a lively area where children can play and people can walk their dogs," Durdin said.
To expand its resources, they own a farm market in the Maple Heights area where people can buy products grown on the farm.
