About US
Lynchburg Grows is a seven-acre urban farm that provides fresh, local produce to our community while creating meaningful employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
Our History
Lynchburg Grows is a seven-acre urban farm providing fresh, local produce to Lynchburg residents and organizations while creating meaningful jobs for individuals with disabilities.
In 2003, Paul Lam, a community member living with a disability, lost his beloved garden to a communication error. When his story was published, volunteers rallied to help. Inspired by this community response, some volunteers formed an organization to help more people with disabilities grow food. They found the abandoned Schenkel Farm, featuring nine greenhouses where the Schenkel family had produced over 1.3 million roses annually. After a decade of disuse, the farm was overgrown and damaged.
Over 18 months, more than 700 volunteers from local schools and colleges helped restore the property. Download an in-depth article about Paul Lam and our origins here.
Today, we've salvaged heritage rose bushes in one greenhouse as a reminder of our history. The remaining greenhouses produce organic vegetables for our CSA program, Farm Store, and FreshRx veggie prescription program. We donate food to local nonprofits serving people who need access to fresh, free produce. One greenhouse, maintained by St. John's Episcopal Church volunteers, grows food exclusively for donation.
Follow our story on Instagram and Facebook.
Small farms like ours need your help! Become a sustaining member of The Veggie Society and help us keep growing!