Edwin Marty
Edwin Marty (born 1977 in Birmingham) is an ethno-botanist and co-founder and former executive director of the Jones Valley Urban Farm. Before taking a full-time role at the urban farm, he was the assistant garden editor for Southern Living magazine and a landscaper.
Marty grew up Cahaba Heights and studied ethno-botany in Oregon and at the University of California in Santa Cruz. He has worked as an agricultural consultant in Mexico, Australia, Mongolia, and Chile.
In 2001 he joined with Allison Page to create the first gardens for the Jones Valley Urban Farm on 10th Avenue South. The non-profit farm raises organic crops for local markets and restaurants while also hosting educational programs for public school children. In 2006 the farm expanded to a new full-block location at Park Place. With funding from the Rushton Foundation, Marty was able to devote his full time to the project. He stepped down in 2011 to become a consultant for the development of urban farms in other cities.
In addition to tutoring younger school groups, Marty has taught farm-based courses for the Alabama School of Fine Arts and Clayton College of Natural Health.
References
- Bruce, Taylor (May 2006) "Edwin Marty: Urban Farmer." Portico
- Carlton, Bob (April 6, 2011) "Jones Valley Urban Farm founder Edwin Marty stepping down." Birmingham News
External links
- Jones Valley Urban Farm website