About an hour and a half southeast of Atlanta, you’ll find the tiny town of Sparta. It’s located in Hancock County, which was the most populous county in Georgia in 1800… a time when cotton was king. A century later, the boll weevil decimated the industry.
Towns like Sparta were hit hard and never recovered. Today, Hancock County’s population is a third of what it once was, and it’s the poorest county in the state. In Sparta alone, over a third of the town’s residents live below the poverty line.
Robert and Suzy Currey, with their ever present companion, Reeves.
But longtime Atlanta residents Robert Currey and his wife Suzy didn’t exactly set out to start an urban farming revolution in this tiny Georgia town. Yet now, they are providing a spark… a glimmer of hope for a community that’s largely gone dark. The seeds that just might grow into a brighter future.
GGWTV Director of Photography Carl Pennington (L) and Executive Producer / Host Joe Lamp’l, celebrating the show’s wrap with lead farmers Jessica Legendre and Josh Plymale.
Elm Street Gardens currently makes up ten acres of farmland, starting in the Currey’s backyard. Set against a backdrop of residential streets and established neighborhoods, this place has a history… though much of it is far from storybook. But these vegetables and herbs represent far more than just a simple meal. They’re offering jobs, often attracting top talent such as Elm Street Gardens’ current farmers, along with opportunities for local residents, many for whom this is their first job.
And so the Curreys, fueled by their love of the town they now call home… and blessed by the considerable resources of a lifetime of success… are making good on their desire to do something impactful that lifts up an entire community. And they keep stumbling onto new ways to do it.
Along the way, the Curreys added another farming operation to the mix – Sparta Mushrooms. It’s located in a historic building in Sparta, and just across the street from their home.
The converted factory is now a high-tech indoor mushroom growing operation, supplying the top restaurants in one of the food capitals of the country.
In the Eighteen Nineties, it was a cotton warehouse sited near the all-important rail line. After the cotton crash, it became a furniture factory, of all things. Leave it to the lifelong furniture man-turned-farmer to restore the building, install movable climate-controlled greenhouses, and convert the whole place into an indoor mushroom farm.
Now they’re growing mushrooms for some of the top restaurants in one of the food capitals of the country.
The spark in Sparta, started by the Currey’s over a decade ago now, is burning brighter than ever. What’s next? Not even Robert can tell you that. But one thing is for sure. This story is only just getting started if the Currey’s have anything to do with it.
Special Thanks: Thank you, Brie Arthur, for bringing this story to our attention!
Links and resources referenced in this episode
Weedless Gardening by Lee Reich (The book mentioned by Robert that was his bible and roadmap to his bountiful garden.)
About Joe Lamp'l
Joe Lamp'l is the Host and Executive Producer of the award winning PBS television series Growing A Greener World. Off camera, Joe dedicates his time to promoting sustainability through his popular books, blog, podcast series, and nationally syndicated newspaper columns. Follow Joe on Twitter
Joe, I have tryed to get a hold of Sparta Mushrooms by e-mail twice. Is there any other way that I can get in contact with them. Thanks
I’d love to meet them too!!! just loved this episode and the people.
Dear episode 812 Sparta elm street garden and mushroom. I was just siting around watching this episode on my pbs station. I was very moved by the way you presented this storey. Myself, living in Denver Co.and watching what going on down there in Sparta GA. has enlighten me to do more in my community. Thank you and God bless! Charles and Diana Denver Co.
would like some informatio about worm castings.
I liked your program today about worm castings and how valuable they are. Where can I find more information? Mary 2/24/18
Mary, If you go to the home page of the GGW website and type worm compost in the search bar, several different shows will show up. There is also a link https://www.growingagreenerworld.com/worm-factory-360-review/ with an article about worm compost. I hope this helps. Happy gardening.
Saw great show growing ag
reeener world one of the stick my in mind was how you derived water of condesacion in to drinkable water.Could please tell or ethwrite in response where to get so i can view it again.
Godwil,
I think you have our show “Growing a Greener World” confused with another show. We have featured rain barrels and how great they are for capturing rain water to water plants with but nothing about condensation and using it for drinking water.
If you want to know more about gardening with rain barrels, visit our website at https://www.growingagreenerworld.com
Best of luck. Happy gardening!
This is a great episode about the work in Sparta GA. I like entire shows devoted to gardening, allowing time to develop the story and answer my unasked questions. Your good show keeps on getting better. For me, however, background music is simply irritating..
Love the comments at the end!
Wow! I just finished watching your show. Robert and Suzy Currey, you and your crew are definitely the spark in Sparta. What a wonderful thing you all have built. What better way to love those around you but by growing and offering to others premium, healthy food that God intended for us the consume and stay healthy. And the fact that you have a heart and love all mankind really tugs on my heart strings. God bless you all. Keep on doing what you are doing. Pamela Hamilton. East Flat Rock, NC
We are looking for information on the porch chair built for episode aired on October 21, 2017.
Linda,
Are you talking about the chair from Chanticleer? Here is a link for Dan Benarcik’s website where you may order the plans for the chairshttp://www.danbenarcik.com/garden-chair.html. I hope this helps.
A few episodes ago you featured an aeroponic tower. I have been unable to find any info online. Can you help me?
Dee,
If you are talking about the tower garden. Here is a link. I hope this helps.
Happy gardening. http://www.towergarden.com/
One of the best episodes this season!
In the 70’s my wife and I taught in the public schools. It is amazing and heart warming to see good things happening in Sparta.
What a powerful episode. Bless Robert and Suzy Curry for making such a difference. I hope the world is watching and taking note.
A terrific example of doing that is ultimately for the greater good. Congrats to the Curry’s & all associated with elm street garden & Sparta mushrooms.
This gentleman just got added to my People I Most Want to Meet list. Another outstanding show!