Their roots
The late Jim Adams was a large landowner and successful farmer in Greensboro, GA. Jim worked with his family on a 60-acre plot that still sits on the end of Jim Adams Road. Today Jim’s grandson, Willie Adams, is a Georgia leader in sustainable farming, and his early adoption of raised beds and hoop houses was a big part of the inspiration for their company’s urban agriculture model. Jim and Willie Adams are the great, great uncle and third cousin, respectively, of Jim Adams Farms founder Chuck Meadows.
The Meadows family’s history in agriculture spans several generations and has included commercial poultry and Georgia peach orchards.
Their goal
There is a growing market demand for fresh, locally grown produce in the restaurant and retail sectors as Atlantans become increasingly health-conscious and focus more on the farm-to-table concept. Chefs actively promote their use of locally grown produce, and consumers embrace such options where available. There is an even brighter spotlight on the beneficial impact of fresh produce on nutrition and health.
The age-old town/country land-use model can present a very basic challenge as urban residents looking to increase their intake of farm-grown products. Intense agricultural production typically occurs hundreds of miles away from dense concentrations of consumers living in a metro environment. Jim Adams solves this problem by producing high-quality, all-natural produce within the urban footprint.
Being farmers, Jim Adams Farm And Table understands the importance of keeping the land beautiful as well as taking care of the environment and its residents right in their own community. Adopt A Highway® is happy to have Jim Adams Farm And Table as one of our sponsors. Their sign can proudly be seen along Hwy 285.
Their Approach
Financial viability
- Company executive works alongside experience farmer; executive focuses on strategy, market expansion, competitiveness, partnerships, product lines, etc. while farmer concentrates 100% on the most productive and effective agriculture operation attainable
- Heavy investment in equipment and capital that insulates the operation against many of the risks of conventional farming
- A carefully selected slate of crops, focusing on shorter grow cycles and higher market prices to drive up profit margins
- A unique market niche – 100% contained growing environment, centrally located with on-site retail, restaurant and a wide variety of produce offerings that also includes herbs and flowers
Environmental sustainability
- Fully contained growing environment eliminates the need for harmful pesticides, herbicides and chemical-based fertilizers
- On-site generation of soil via naturally decomposing, processed compost and wood mulch
- Rain barrels and drip irrigation systems to maximize water resources
- Central location and local market reduce the carbon footprint created by long-haul transport
Social responsibility
- Inner-city location re-purposes under-utilized land and creates jobs
- All positions paid a living wage
- Share of the profits re-invested to help eradicate food deserts
- On-site retail places an accessible source of fresh, affordable high-quality produce in an urban area
A farm first
They grow in greenhouses over raised soil beds – a fully contained, regulated growing environment that works in an urban setting close to our customers. Their produce comes straight from their own farm and is washed, chopped, sold and served in their own storefront.
This approach also allows them to grow fruits and vegetables in high demand even outside of the typical growing season. Each unit is equipped with a horizontal airflow ventilation system that cycles 100% of the air in each Grow House in less than one minute. The circulated air helps maintain a consistent temperature and eliminates the stale air that can contribute to plant disease. In the winter, a 250,000 BTU high-efficiency heater provides the additional power needed to warm the air that is not naturally heated by the sun’s rays as they are trapped by the poly covering.
Raised beds are filled with organic soils, providing optimal organic growing conditions. They also collect precipitation from gutters on the property for irrigation.
Their website has a lot more information about their market and café. Visit them today!