The People's Patch-Madison County Community Farm

09/26/2026

A special thanks to this week’s volunteer group. Everything picked was donated to the AAMU Bulldog Market and given to students free of charge.

09/23/2026

Honored to serve!

Sending out a special thank you to all the volunteers who helped to make this donation possible!

Thank you, People's Patch for your kind donation of vegetables to the Bulldog Market 🙏.

(L-R )Lorelyn Swinton, AmeriCorps VISTA Volunteer, Lori Braden, TPP Volunteer and Jason Andra, People's Patch.

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09/15/2026

READY TO HARVEST ON THE FARM
September 22-29

LOVE FIELD & FIELD 3– Gated Areas
Open Monday-Friday from 7:15 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
The other fields are always open.

Please be considerate and pick only as recommended DAILY. Also, be mindful of the heat and to stay hydrated. It is best to pick produce in the morning.

LOVE FIELD: Burgundy okra, collard and turnip greens, cucumbers (limit 5), crowder peas, cherry tomatoes, and bell and banana peppers

BIG FIELD: Purple hull peas, burgundy okra, and zucchini

FIELD 2: Green okra

FIELD 3: Eggplant (limit 2); yellow, white scallop (patty pan), and zucchini squash (limit 3 of each); and cayenne, bell, and jalapeño peppers

Volunteer activity on Wednesday, September 23, from 8:00-11:00 AM - Assignment: Package produce for the Bulldog Market to help reduce food insecurity among AAMU students.

Wear comfortable shoes and dress appropriately for the weather. Also, bring gloves, water & sun protection.

The People's Patch, located at 3701 Meridian Street in Huntsville, Alabama, is a free U-pick farm that provides fresh produce to Madison County residents from dawn to dusk. Visitors can bring their own bags and harvesting tools and pick enough produce for themselves and/or family members. The farm helps to reduce food insecurity while promoting community engagement and urban agriculture.

Questions: Call the District 6 Madison County Commissioner's Office at (256) 532-1505.

09/01/2026

READY TO HARVEST ON THE FARM
September 1-8

LOVE FIELD & FIELD 3– Gated Areas
Open Monday-Friday from 7:15 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
The other fields are always open.

Please be considerate and pick only as recommended DAILY. Also, be mindful of the heat and to stay hydrated. It is best to pick produce in the morning.

LOVE FIELD: Burgundy okra, cherry tomatoes (limit 30), bell peppers (limit 2), banana peppers (limit 5), and crowder peas

BIG FIELD: Purple hull and crowder peas and burgundy okra

FIELD 2: Green okra and purple hull peas

FIELD 3: Crowder peas, bell peppers (limit 2), cayenne peppers (limit 5), jalapeno peppers (limit 5), and eggplant (limit 1)

Volunteer activity on Wednesday, September 2, from 8:00-11:00 AM
Remove oversized okra pods

Wear comfortable shoes and dress appropriately for the weather. Also, bring gloves, water & sun protection.

The People's Patch, located at 3701 Meridian Street in Huntsville, Alabama, is a free U-pick farm that provides fresh produce to Madison County residents from dawn to dusk. Visitors can bring their own bags and harvesting tools and pick enough produce for themselves and their families to enjoy. The farm helps to reduce food insecurity while promoting community engagement and urban agriculture.

Questions: Call the District 6 Madison County Commissioner's Office at (256) 532-1505.

08/25/2026

READY TO HARVEST ON THE FARM
August 25-September 1

LOVE FIELD & FIELD 3– Gated Areas
Open Monday-Friday from 7:15 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
The other fields are always open.

Please be considerate and pick only as recommended DAILY. Also, be mindful of the heat and to stay hydrated. It is best to pick produce in the morning.

LOVE FIELD: Burgundy okra, cherry tomatoes (limit 30), bell peppers (limit 2), banana peppers (limit 5), watermelon varieties, and crowder peas

BIG FIELD: Purple hull and crowder peas and burgundy okra

FIELD 2: Green okra and purple hull peas

FIELD 3: Crowder peas, bell peppers (limit 2), cayenne peppers (limit 5), jalapeno peppers (limit 5), eggplant (limit 1), and sunflowers

Volunteer activity on Wednesday, August 26, from 8:00-11:00 AM
Tying up blackberry canes

Wear comfortable shoes and dress appropriately for the weather. Also, bring gloves, water & sun protection.

The People's Patch, located at 3701 Meridian Street in Huntsville, Alabama, is a free U-pick farm that provides fresh produce to Madison County residents from dawn to dusk. Visitors can bring their own bags and harvesting tools and pick enough produce for themselves and their families to enjoy. The farm helps to reduce food insecurity while promoting community engagement and urban agriculture.

Questions: Call the District 6 Madison County Commissioner's Office at (256) 532-1505.

08/24/2026

Congratulations to Jason Andra and his team at The People’s Patch Community Farm on winning the Efficiency and Innovation in County Government Award presented by the Association of County Commissions of Alabama.

Under the direction of District 6 Commissioner Violet Edwards, the Madison County Commission and Alabama A&M University with the support of the Alabama Cooperative Extension, created a community-based farm designed to grow fresh fruits and vegetables for free harvesting. Not only does this farm provide food access, but it also provides agricultural education for students and residents.

“Our community farm stands as a testament to the dedication of our staff and the unwavering support of our neighbors,” said Commissioner Violet Edwards. “Together, we turned a shared vision into a meaningful solution, and the farm is proof of what can grow when neighbors come together with purpose, hope, and willing hands.”

Under Andra’s leadership, the Patch has seen significant growth in is crops for harvest, but has also added walking trails, an outdoor classroom, and a paddock with goat and sheep. This initiative was created to address food insecurity in North Huntsville, where many residents lacked consistent access to fresh, healthy food. It has a direct, immediate impact on students, university research, surrounding neighborhoods, the environment, seniors, youth, and all ages in between.

Congratulations, Jason!

08/21/2026

IPM Field Guide: Integrated Pest Management Strategies for Small Farms

Are you interested in growing crops in Alabama? Learn sustainable pest management practices that will lower costs and increase yields.

This series is a great resource for:

• Small Fruit & Vegetable Growers
• Beginning & Veteran Farmers
• Community & Home Gardeners

Online with Zoom
Last Fridays of the month
5:30 PM–6:30 PM
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Free Admission
Register at www.aces.edu/go/5873 to receive the Zoom URL
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August 28 Speaker: Dr. Brett Blaauw

Originally from Southwest Michigan, Dr. Brett Blaauw is currently a professor and Extension specialist of fruit entomology with a dual appointment at the University of Georgia and Clemson. As such, he has regional Extension responsibilities for a variety of fruits, including peaches, apples, and grapes. His research and Extension programs directly address the regional needs of southeastern fruit growers through lab, research farm trials, on-farm research, and collaborative efforts with colleagues. Additionally, as part of Dr. Blaauw’s research and Extension work, he tests the efficacy of insecticides against key insect pests, resulting in best management practices that are published and disseminated to stakeholders. Through addressing grower needs, his work highlights the importance of IPM and the support of beneficial insects for the sustainability of southeastern fruit production.

The Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A&M University and Auburn University) is an equal opportunity educator, employer, and provider.

08/18/2026

READY TO HARVEST ON THE FARM
August 18-25

LOVE FIELD & FIELD 3– Gated Areas
Open Monday-Friday from 7:15 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
The other fields are always open.

Please be considerate and pick only as recommended DAILY. Also, be mindful of the heat and to stay hydrated. It is best to pick produce in the morning.

LOVE FIELD: Burgundy okra, cherry tomatoes (limit 30), bell peppers (limit 2), banana peppers (limit 5), watermelon varieties, and crowder peas

BIG FIELD: Purple hull and crowder peas and burgundy okra

FIELD 2: Green okra and purple hull peas

FIELD 3: Crowder peas, bell peppers (limit 2), cayenne peppers (limit 5), jalapeno peppers (limit 5), eggplant (limit 1), and sunflowers

Volunteer activity on Wednesday, August 19, from 8:00-11:00 AM
Plant sunflowers in pollinator and cut flower garden

Wear comfortable shoes and dress appropriately for the weather. Also, bring gloves, water & sun protection.

The People's Patch, located at 3701 Meridian Street in Huntsville, Alabama, is a free U-pick farm that provides fresh produce to Madison County residents from dawn to dusk. Visitors can bring their own bags and harvesting tools and pick enough produce for themselves and their families to enjoy. The farm helps to reduce food insecurity while promoting community engagement and urban agriculture.

Questions: Call the District 6 Madison County Commissioner's Office at (256) 532-1505.