Rooted in Belvedere: Building DeKalb’s First Aquaponic Farm

For decades, Belvedere Park and the broader South DeKalb community have endured systemic economic disinvestment, creating an urban food desert where access to nutrient-dense, fresh produce remains severely limited. This lack of local agricultural infrastructure deprives residents of fresh food while restricting local youth from accessing modern STEM learning opportunities and green workforce training needed in today's economy. Belvedere Fresh is establishing the first Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) Aquaponics Center in DeKalb County, located at 1679 Columbia Drive in Decatur, GA. By uniting precision sustainable agriculture, community partnerships, youth education, and localized distribution, we are restoring food sovereignty and economic momentum to our neighborhood. The Solution & Market Opportunity The U.S. Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) and urban farming market is accelerating rapidly, projected to reach over $18 billion as demand grows for local, climate-resilient produce. Situated in metro Atlanta, one of the fastest-growing metropolitan regions in the nation, South DeKalb represents a high-potential, underserved market. Belvedere Fresh captures this opportunity through precision aquaponics, a closed-loop ecosystem combining aquaculture (raising fish) and hydroponics (growing plants in water). Our systems produce nutrient-rich greens and protein year-round using 90% less water than traditional agriculture. Our operational model at 1679 Columbia Drive rests on three integrated pillars: CEA Aquaponics Center: Modular production pods and vertical live-walls generating high-yield, continuous harvests.Community & High School STEM Learning Lab: In partnership with Columbia High School, we are creating hands-on agriscience opportunities, instructional programming, and digital monitoring dashboards for local students.Mobile Logistics & Distribution Fleet: Direct neighborhood fulfillment and "Fresh Bag" community distribution programs to ensure clean food reaches every household directly. Break-Ground Milestone & Immediate Impact We are targeting DeKalb County Schools' Thanksgiving Holiday break to officially break ground at 1679 Columbia Drive. This historic ground-breaking marks the continuation of our annual "Giving Thanks in Belvedere Park" food giveaway. As we break ground on DeKalb's first aquaponics hub, we will celebrate by distributing 130 turkeys alongside fresh food items to local families in need, anchoring our permanent facility directly to our tradition of holiday community support. Use of Funds & 12-Month Pilot Phase Our overall budget for the 12-Month Pilot & Stabilization Phase at 1679 Columbia Drive is $200,000. To launch this initial testing phase, we are seeking $50,000 in immediate campaign funding. Following this kickoff, we will expand our reach by either continuing our crowdfunding campaign milestones or securing direct financing assistance through USDA rural development and urban agriculture grants and loans. Capital raised through this initial $50,000 seed target directly finances tangible site infrastructure and immediate operational milestones: Site Development & Thanksgiving Groundbreak: Finalizing site preparation at Peace Lutheran Church (1679 Columbia Drive), completing DeKalb County municipal permitting, and hosting our Thanksgiving break groundbreaking and 130-turkey giveaway.Aquaponics & Greenhouse Infrastructure: Installing initial modular cultivation pods, fish tanks, filtration, and vertical A-frame live-walls.Columbia High School STEM Lab Integration: Outfitting instructional facility components and agriscience equipment for Columbia High School student learning programs.Distribution Logistics: Outfitting our initial delivery vehicle for local route fulfillment and neighborhood outreach. Leadership & Community Team Belvedere Fresh is grounded in deep community roots and agricultural expertise: Miles J. Edwards — Founder & Creative Chief Architect: A 30-year resident of Belvedere Park with over ten years of hands-on collaboration alongside Black farmers across the Southeast. His investigative work and documentary, "The Last American Plantation," brought national attention to agricultural equity and land access. Belvedere Fresh represents the evolution of his career in agricultural advocacy, media, and urban development.Advisory & Educational Partners: Supported by Columbia High School educators, regional agriscience technicians, local church boards, civic leaders, and community collaborators across South DeKalb. Join the Movement Belvedere Fresh is built by the community, for the community. Your investment builds more than a greenhouse; it plants the seeds for healthier families, green job creation, and sustainable independence for South DeKalb’s youth. Join us as we break ground this Thanksgiving break and establish DeKalb County's first aquaponics hub right here at 1679 Columbia Drive. Thank you for standing with us as a founding backer of Belvedere Fresh!  There is something FRESH coming to Belvedere Park, Georgia! "Fresh Food… Fresh Opportunities… A Fresh New Start!"