Benison Farm

 ^{Benison: a liturgical term for blessing}

St. Augustine's has always been a community of gardeners. Conversations over breakfast after Sunday services often turn to what's growing.

 

Mary Jones and Virginia Abrams like to trade notes about their Earth Boxes and bathtub containers. Senior parishioner Mordecai Walker is a member of his alma mater's Agriculture Hall of Fame. Lewis Clowers, before he retired his plot, would tell you not much was happening -- "just okra, beans, watermelon and peppers," plus greens, and a small orchard in his backyard. In this tradition, we are proud to host Benison Farm, working with crosstown neighbor St. Thomas' Episcopal Church and many community volunteers.

The Farm suits our culture. St. Augustine's stands on rich soil, near Lake Maggiore and adjoining Boyd Hill Nature Preserve. Before being a church, St. Augustine's property was a nursery.

Financial support from the United Thank Offering, the Episcopal General Convention and the Episcopal Diocese of Southwest Florida allowed us to clear the grounds behind the parish hall and establish Benison Farm. Volunteers work every week tending to the plots and harvesting the bounty.

Now, vegetables are donated to groups like Operation Attack and given away directly to those in need.

In 2020, Benison Farm made national news as a recipient of a grant from The Episcopal Church’s United Thank Offering (UTO).  See section on Benison from this article with our own Jan displaying samples of sweet potatoes - '1st Fruits' - she harvested.  Our award ($25,000) was one from the special round of UTO summer grants targeted to help feeding ministries expand to meet needs of communities hit by the pandemic.