Minister Aaron Hopkins, Columbus OH

Minister Aaron K. Hopkins is an African American, a community advocate, a man of faith, and a beginning farmer. He is the director of the South Side Family Farms in Columbus, Ohio. Minister Aaron had no prior experience in farming and never envisioned he would be on this journey. Food became a way Minister Aaron found to reconnect younger and older generations in his community. The generations are able to bond over access to healthy and culturally acceptable foods as well as cooking activities.

 

Since 2014, he has relied on community support and networking to address his community’s food security challenges. On his 4-acre farm, Minister Aaron uses regenerative practices such as composting, cover cropping, crop rotation, drip irrigation, and more. With the help of his wife and support from his grandchildren, he ensures that fresh produce is available and affordable to members of his community. Though Minister Aaron faces challenges and doesn’t always feel appreciated as a farmer, he remains resilient because of the farmers who have come before him and the positive changes he sees in his community. Farming fills Minister Aaron with satisfaction and peace and he is devoted to raising the next generation to steward the land.

 

“My passion started with the seed and seeing what can happen with the seed and with the idea in community. And when I think about all the stories that have happened in the garden now, it is really something.”