Exploring Life & Business with Lashawndra Robinson of Black Farm Street Inc

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lashawndra Robinson.

Hi Lashawndra, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Black Farm Street was born out of burden and belief.. a burden for the food injustice I saw in communities, and a belief that something better was possible.

As a mother, classically trained chef, and woman of faith, I couldn’t ignore how disconnected many of our youth and families had become from the land, their food, and even each other. I didn’t have a full blueprint at the time; just a vision, some raised beds, and the conviction that God was calling me to start with what I had. So I did.

We officially founded Black Farm Street Inc. in Augusta, Georgia in 2021 to tackle food insecurity and rebuild agricultural knowledge in underserved communities. What started as a few garden builds has now grown into a multi-program organization. We run youth education camps, operate mobile markets, launched an urban apiary, and offer food entrepreneurship training — all rooted in community and purpose.

Our work is about more than just growing food. It’s about healing, income generation, education, and restoring dignity. We use agriculture as a tool to empower youth and families to reconnect them with the earth, with each other, and with opportunity.

Today, we proudly partner with local schools, churches, housing developments, and nonprofits across Richmond, Burke, and McDuffie counties. I still get my hands dirty in the soil and in the systems that need changing but now I do so with a team, a community, and a deep sense of calling.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Absolutely not the road has been anything but smooth. But I believe that purpose is often revealed through the pressure.

When I started Black Farm Street, it wasn’t backed by funding or a big team. It was me, God, and a deep conviction that our community deserved better access to food, education, and opportunity. There were seasons where I was funding everything out of my own pocket from programs to produce. Times when I’d be sowing seeds in the garden while silently praying for a breakthrough in my bank account.

Being a Black woman in agriculture, a field where we’re still underrepresented, came with its own layers of challenge. I’ve had to prove myself in rooms where I wasn’t expected to speak up, let alone lead. I’ve had to educate people on why urban farming, food justice, and youth engagement aren’t just trends they’re lifelines.

And personally? I’ve juggled the roles of mother, minister, chef, founder, and farmer often all in the same day. That balance hasn’t always been graceful, but it’s been grounded in faith and fueled by purpose.

What’s kept me going is the “why”. Seeing kids try a fresh salad they helped grow. Watching a neighbor learn how to feed their family from their own backyard. Knowing that the seeds we plant today in the soil and in each other can change the future.

It hasn’t been a smooth road, but it’s been a purpose-driven one and I’m grateful for every step of it.

As you know, we’re big fans of Black Farm Street Inc. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Black Farm Street is a faith-rooted nonprofit organization that uses agriculture as a tool for healing, education, and economic empowerment in communities facing food insecurity. We specialize in hands-on, culturally relevant programs that bring people closer to the land, to their health, and to one another.

Our work includes:

-Urban farming and teaching gardens: We acquire land or are offered plots by the City of Augusta and local landowners in food-insecure areas, where we install vibrant community gardens that also serve as educational spaces.

-Youth garden camps and school-based programs: Teaching children how to grow, harvest, and cook real food like spiral squash and zucchini noodles they’ve planted with their own hands.

-Mobile markets: Delivering not just fresh produce, but also healthy, prepared meals directly to neighborhoods that need them most.

-Beekeeping and apiary education: Through our Black Farm Street Rooted & Raw Honey brand, we teach youth and adults about pollination, food systems, and sustainability.

-Food entrepreneurship and workforce development: From selling pecans (in and out of the shell) to learning kitchen and garden skills, we create real opportunities for income, creativity, and leadership.

What sets us apart is that this isn’t charity, it’s community building. We don’t do this work for the people, we do it “with” them. Seniors who’ve felt isolated are now active again, putting their hands to the plow and sharing wisdom across generations. Children are discovering the joy of growing and cooking healthy meals. Young entrepreneurs are learning how to turn harvests into hustle.

I actually started Black Farm Street in my backyard while homeschooling my children, just before the pandemic hit. What was once a personal solution became a community-wide response, and now, a growing movement.

We are proud to be faith-led, community-centered, and deeply rooted in the soil and soul of Augusta. Our brand represents restoration, self-reliance, and the belief that everyone deserves access to fresh food, good work, and the opportunity to thrive.

We invite readers to support, partner, or simply spread the word — because when we grow together, we grow stronger.

Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
Get out and meet people where you are. Sometimes we think networking has to happen at big conferences or in boardrooms, but honestly, some of the most impactful connections I’ve made started right in my own community. That might mean knocking on doors in your neighborhood, introducing yourself to someone new at church, or simply starting a conversation at a local event.

Join your local Chamber of Commerce. Show up to city and county meetings. Volunteer. Go to that farmers market, that block party, or that community forum ,not just to be seen, but to genuinely connect.

I’ve found that consistency, humility, and a willingness to serve have opened more doors than any pitch ever could. People remember how you show up, not just what you say. And mentorship doesn’t always look like a formal arrangement. Sometimes it’s a seasoned farmer giving you a tip, a community elder sharing wisdom, or a friend speaking life into your vision when you feel like giving up.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help and also, don’t be afraid to “be” the help someone else needs. The right connections often come when you’re too busy doing the work to chase them.

Pricing:

• We’re always open to partnerships, collaborations, and community engagement opportunities. While pricing can vary based on need and scope, here are a few ways individuals, businesses, or organizations can connect with and support our work:
• Camp Sponsorships – Help fund youth participation in our garden camps (individual or corporate options available)
• Speaking Engagements – Available for keynotes, panels, faith-based events, or educational workshops
• Consultations – Offering guidance for organizations, schools, churches, or individuals looking to start community gardens, teaching farms, or urban ag programs
• Mobile Market Partnerships – Partner with us to bring healthy meals and fresh produce to underserved areas

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.blackfarmstreet.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackfarmstreet/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bfsheals/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allthingslashawndra/
• Other: https://www.google.com/search?q=Black+Farm+Street