Joshua Venture Group

Gan Chaim provides innovative programming for Jewish Community Centers, camps and schools through the creation of hands-on therapeutic gardening experiences. Through its projects, Gan Chaim endeavors to ensure enjoyable, empowering and educational Jewish experiences for children, seniors, and individuals with special needs in the Jewish communities of Greater Atlanta and Athens, Georgia, while simultaneously promoting environmental awareness and responsible stewardship. Participants plant crops in the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta’s garden and visit a working farm. Gan Chaim aims to set a precedent for social action and improve both rural and urban lifestyles through outdoor learning experiences and access to locally grown organic foods.

Bio
Daron ‘Farmer D’ Joffe is an organic/biodynamic farmer, environmental educator and social entrepreneur. He is the founder and president of Farmer D Organics, creators of farms and products for the earth and its people. Farmer D Organics retail organic garden center is located in Atlanta near Whole Foods at Briarcliff Rd. Farmer D’s signature products includes Farmer D Organics Biodynamic Blend Organic Compost made from Whole Foods Market spoils and is available for sale at Whole Foods Markets throughout the Southeast.

Over the past fourteen years, Farmer D has founded and managed a number of organic farms all over the country. In 1998, Farmer D was selected as the Biodynamic Rookie Farmer of the Year and was one of only eight recipients nationwide to receive the 2003-2005 Joshua Venture Fellowship for Social Entrepreneurs. He was also selected as one of the top 20 brightest talents under 40 years of age by Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles Magazine in February 2006 and as one of the Top 40 under 40 by Georgia Trend Magazine in October 2006. In 2008, Farmer D Organics received the Spirit of Innovation Award for “Most Sustainable Business” by the Savannah Economic Development Authority’s Creative Coast.