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Black Farm Street asks Augusta to formalize maintenance after repeated crop damage; commissioners direct staff to meet
Summary
Urban farm Black Farm Street asked commissioners for a written maintenance plan and fence repairs after repeated crop damage allegedly linked to city-controlled stormwater bank overgrowth; the commission voted to have staff meet with the group and report back within 30 days.
Black Farm Street Incorporated founder Lashandra Robinson asked the commission to direct staff to develop a recurring maintenance schedule and to clarify the city claims process after multiple crop-damage incidents adjacent to a city-maintained stormwater bank.
Robinson told the commission that the organization converted a vacant lot at 1650 Olive Road into a working urban farm that provides produce, after-school programming and nutrition education. She said the farm had received paid damage claims in 2023 and 2024 but a later claim was denied and her maintenance proposal was rejected by the city's claims attorney.
Robinson requested a written plan that included five maintenance visits per year (May–August and one in November), fence repairs on the farm side, clarification of the claim process and a named point of contact. Commissioner Jordan Johnson moved to direct staff to meet with Robinson and return with an update within 30 days; Commissioner Francine Scott seconded, and the motion carried.
Next steps: Staff will meet with Black Farm Street to negotiate the maintenance plan and confirm responsibilities and timelines; the commission requested a report back within 30 days.
