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ORAL HISTORY

Susan Pavlin

Global Growers

Born and raised in the Chicago suburbs, Susan Pavlin came to farming by playing hooky from school after staying up all night to help her father can vegetables from the family’s garden. Years later, after settling in Atlanta, she practiced corporate international law, then worked for Refugee Family Services, helping to resettle refugees from all over the world into their new home of Atlanta. After she mentioned her personal interest in farming to a man from Burundi, Global Growers Network began.

In 2010, land broke on the Umurima Wa Burundi (Burundi Women’s Farm). The success of the farm has led to a network of other urban farms, including Bamboo Creek, a training farm in Stone Mountain, Clarkston International Community Garden, Decatur’s Kitchen Garden, and various community gardens. The farms bring together people from different countries, cultures, and backgrounds. The farmers are learning the soil of a new home, introducing Atlanta to new varieties of produce, becoming entrepreneurs, and reconnecting American communities to growing their own food.