December 2015: Flooding at the Bamboo Creek Farm

Bamboo Creek Farm is part of the Global Growers farming network – a 501c3 nonprofit based in Atlanta that aims to increase the number of food producers who create access to healthy, sustainably grown food and prepare farmers to be competitive in their local marketplace. A 15-acre farm in Stone Mountain, Bamboo Creek Farm hosts 10 beginning farmers and serves as the Global Growers base of operations.

In December 2015 Bamboo Creek experienced extreme flooding due to a three-foot surge from Snapfinger Creek that swept through the farm causing major crop and structural damage. Crop loss included 200+ shiitake logs swept away by floodwaters, along with multiple flooded fields, while structural loss included damages to drip lines and irrigation systems, plastic ripped from the hoop house and all greenhouse supplies swept away.

The Farmer Fund provided a full grant of $2,000, matched by Bamboo Creek Farm and Global Growers through community donations. With help from funding, Bamboo Creek Farm can continue to train young its farmers and continue to serve the community through its restaurant sales to local establishments ranging from Wrecking Bar to Souper Jenny, CSAs delivered to locations that include Pace Academy and Georgia State University, along with its service to local farmers markets.