In March, with food insecurity issues becoming widespread across the state during the COVID-19 pandemic, Ohio National Guard soldiers and airmen were called upon to provide extra support at regional food bank warehouses and local pantries to help with food packaging and drive-thru operations.
In addition to packaging and drive-thru support, about 15 guardsmen helping at the Mid-Ohio Foodbank had a unique task ahead of them — building an urban farm.
Known as the Mid-Ohio Farm on the Hilltop, the farm is located in the Hilltop neighborhood just west of downtown Columbu. It will serve as an outlet for the food bank to have quick access to fresh, local produce while also serving as a place to provide hands-on education for the community.
Army Sgt. Jacob Eader, a fire control specialist assigned to the 1st Battalion, 134th Field Artillery Regiment, was more than happy to use his civilian-occupation skills to help with the project. "Me being a carpenter is ... knowing how to do things and knowing how to teach people how to do things here at the farm," he said.
Bo McMahon, a fifth-generation farmer whose family's agricultural roots are in Nebraska and Florida, found his way to Ohio to become the farm manager for the Mid-Ohio Foodbank. He expressed his gratitude for the guard and applauded their efficiency. "Soldiers like Sergeant Eader that have a background and specific skills, that is so valuable having them out here," McMahon said.
The guardsmen's drive and teamwork motivated him every day, McMahon said, and fueled his passion for his project even more.
"Everybody who's been out here has been super excited about what they're doing," McMahon continued. “I get energized seeing them out here and their willingness to help with everything."
At the project's outset, very few of the guardsmen had formal training in constructing an urban farm, but they brought a strong work ethic and a willingness to absorb new skills. Eader said this project has brought them together in ways that will benefit how they operate in their military environment.
"Some of these guys out here, they don't know what they’re doing, and that’s OK," Eader said. "They're willing to learn, and I'm willing to teach them. That bond together brings us closer and makes our work even better."
The urban farm will be not only be a place to grow produce, but also a place to grow communities. McMahon said the site eventually will have a market, interactive cameras to stream into classrooms, and a kitchen where people can prepare dishes using the produce grown on-site. McMahon said the possibilities are endless. He compares the farm to an ecosystem.
"Each thing depends on the other to thrive," McMahon explained. "It's not just one thing, it's everything. It takes everything together to become successful."
McMahon's philosophy on unity and Eader's passion for teaching others have established the foundation of what this ongoing, community project will one day represent — a place where people can come together to learn and grow.
"Giving back to the community is what I joined the National Guard for," Eader said. "It makes me feel this sense of camaraderie."
(Army 1st Lt. Caroline Pirchner is assigned to the Ohio National Guard.)
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