Henry Blair Farms.
Provides fresh, locally grown produce to the community while teaching sustainable gardening practices.
Henry Blair Farms at EMCC is a community-driven garden that grows fresh fruits and vegetables for local residents. The farm also serves as a hands-on learning space, where children and adults alike can explore sustainable agriculture, healthy eating, and environmental stewardship. Through the farm, EMCC supports nutrition, education, and community engagement in the Martindale-Brightwood neighborhood.
The Generations Garden Project.
At Henry Blair Farm & Garden, EMCC youth and seniors can learn about and participate in growing a variety of vegetables and herbs throughout the growing season. Located on our intergenerational Leadership & Legacy Campus, the farm features 16 raised garden beds, a three-season hoophouse, an indoor hydroponic system, a composting system, and a one-acre urban farm. Fresh produce is either taken home by program participants or distributed through our food pantry.
In 2024, we are excited to partner with Soul Food Project, supporting their work in urban agriculture and youth-led workforce development in Martindale-Brightwood. Together, we are expanding Henry Blair Farm’s capacity while teaching teens the full spectrum of specialty vegetable production in an urban setting.
Interested in gardening or helping improve access to fresh, healthy food on Indy’s east side? Contact Farm Manager “Coach” Mike at mhunt@ednamartincc.org to learn about volunteer opportunities.
Who was Henry Blair?
Henry Blair was an African-American inventor, farmer, and entrepreneur. He changed agriculture forever on October 14th, 1834 with the invention of a mechanical corn planter that replaced the work of eight laborers. He was the second African-American to hold a U.S. Patent. Two years later on August 31st, 1836 he obtained another patent for the creation of a mechanical cotton planter.
Henry Blair was born in Glen Ross, Maryland in 1807. Not much is known about his family background or his early childhood. But due to his patent eligibility it’s suspected that Henry was a free man and never enslaved. He managed his own business as an independent commercial Farmer.
We hope his story inspires a new generation of urban-ag entrepreneurs to explore their ideas at our Farm.
