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The funding allows Amanda Belle’s Farm to hire five veterans.
Photo provided by CoxHealth
The funding allows Amanda Belle’s Farm to hire five veterans.

Springfield Community Gardens awarded $750K grant

Posted online

Springfield Community Gardens was selected for a $750,000 federal grant for its south-side farm in partnership with CoxHealth.

The funding is earmarked for the hiring of five veterans in the coming year for the collaborative project dubbed Amanda Belle’s Farm, located near Cox South, according to a news release. The grant was made through the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Enhancing Agriculture Opportunities for Military Veterans Program.

“My father was a veteran, a farmer and worked at CoxHealth for 30 years, so this is an important milestone for me,” said Maile Auterson, director and co-founder of SCG, in the release. “I've heard many stories about how he couldn't wait to get off duty from the submarines under the ocean, where he served in the U.S. Navy for 21 years, and come home to the Ozarks and farm, so I’m especially honored to be part of an initiative that benefits farmers.”

The grant also will be used to provide 24 workshops that teach organic small-scale farming techniques to 50 veteran participants in partnership with the University of Missouri Extension.

Amanda Belle’s Farm was started this summer with separate USDA funding. It's named in honor of hospital namesake Lester E. Cox’s mother.

CoxHealth and SCG have collaborated for years on a garden at Cox North.

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