AUGUSTA HEALTH ANNOUNCES THE FUTURE OF CAMPUS FARM

FISHERSVILLE, Virginia — In the winter of 2017, Allegheny Mountain Institute (AMI) and Augusta Health came together with a shared vision for a Farm-to-Institution project that would bridge the gap between quality health care and access to nutritious, locally grown food. “As part of our Community Health Needs Assessment, nutrition was one of our top priority needs identified,” says Krystal D. Moyers, M.Ed., CHES, Administrative Director, Augusta Health Community Outreach and Partnerships. “By collaborating with AMI, we empowered our patients, employees, and all our communities to make healthful food choices and provided community members with education about and access to more nutrient-dense foods.”

The AMI Farm at Augusta Health quickly took root, providing fresh, organically grown produce to the hospital food system, clinical integration initiatives, and community outreach programs focused on food security for disease prevention and community wellness.Six years since the original seeds were planted, the farm continues to grow – not only 151,000 pounds of healthy produce but also food and health initiatives throughout Staunton, Waynesboro, and Augusta County. 

While AMI will no longer manage the day-to-day operations of the farm and its programming, they will continue to support Augusta Health as a community partner promoting locally grown, nutrient-dense food as a pillar of health. “The success of the AMI Farm at Augusta Health, coupled with Augusta Health’s commitment to the sustainability of this project proves that the farm-to-institution model is a natural fit for health-based institutions,” said Laurie Berman, Board President, and Founder of AMI. “We urge our community to generously support this project, recognizing its potential to positively impact the health and well-being of our region and beyond.”

In January of 2024, Augusta Health will assume sole management of the farm, furthering its vision to be a national model for community-based healthcare. Augusta Health is one of the only hospitals in Virginia with a farm.  AMI has helped to pave the way for the success of this groundbreaking project, and Augusta Health is committed to its sustainability. AMI is grateful to Augusta Health for bringing to life the vision of a hospital farm, which provides the perfect backdrop for addressing our community’s health needs.

To learn more about Augusta Health’s Community Outreach and Partnerships’ Nutrition and Food Access programming, please visit www.augustahealth.com/farm.