Growing Together: Aya Farms’ Demonstration Garden

Rising Sun Development Center (RSDC) is proud to celebrate an exciting milestone in the growth of our Aya Farms Initiative: the completion of our very first demonstration garden. This achievement represents more than the creation of a growing space—it is a powerful step forward in our mission to strengthen community wellness, sustainability, and food resilience through agriculture and education.

We extend our deepest gratitude to Food Well Alliance, whose generous f unding made this demonstration garden possible. With their support, we were able to complete critical groundwork to bring the space to life, including cutting down large trees, leveling the land, and creating safe, accessible pathways leading into the garden. These improvements laid the foundation for a welcoming and functional site where community members can learn, grow, and connect through sustainable farming practices.

We are also honored to celebrate Habesha Works for recognizing Aya Farms as a winner of their Extreme Green Initiative. This award is a meaningful affirmation of the work we are building and the vision we hold for community-centered agriculture. Habesha Works’ Extreme Green Initiative provides farmers with the tools, support, and guidance needed to start new gardens or strengthen existing ones—helping ensure that local growers have what they need to thrive.

Together, these partnerships reflect what is possible when organizations come together with shared purpose. RSDC is incredibly grateful for the support of Food Well Alliance and Habesha Works as we continue expanding Aya Farms and cultivating spaces that promote empowerment, sustainability, and long-term community resilience.