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Writer's pictureCherette Warthen

Infinite Zion Receives Two Grants to Restore Crops & Build Parramore's First Urban Agricultural Hub

Updated: Jan 19, 2023

Infinite Zion Farms receives two grants from Central Florida Foundation (CFF) to restore crops and infrastructure loss after Hurricane Ian and build new Parramore educational center.


Infinite Zion Farms recently received a grant from the AKR Foundation Fund and through a community investment grant, also from CFF.


These grant opportunities will help further our mission of increasing food security in the Historic Parramore District by providing essential funding to bring back the Community Supported Agriculture Program, infrastructure costs and additional funds to begin the process of building Parramore’s first urban agricultural educational hub.

Damage at Infinite Zion Farms from Hurricane Ian
Damage at Infinite Zion Farms from Hurricane Ian

During Hurricane Ian, we lost our crops due to heavy rains and flooding, causing our food programs to come to a screeching halt. In addition, the combination of heavy winds and rains destroyed our on-site greenhouse.


The AKR Foundation Fund Grant will be used to help build back operations for the next growing season. The AKR Foundation Fund at CFF was established in 2021 by Austin Russell, Founder and CEO of Luminar, which focuses on laser technology and software for safer transportation and is headquartered in Orlando, Florida.


Our hub will house aeroponic towers and a classroom to teach classes on gardening, aeroponics, beekeeping, and a host of other topics.

The second grant opportunity from CFF, a community investment grant, will be used to assist in supporting the process of building Parramore’s first urban agricultural educational hub. Designed to help provide youth with new opportunities in STEM and agriculture while learning the historical importance of farming and how black farmers fed America.


“It takes a village to feed a community, and we are very thankful for Central Florida Foundation’s generous donations,” stated Raymond Warthen, Co-Founder of Infinite Zion Farms. “Our new partnership with the Central Florida Foundation exemplifies a regional effort in combating food insecurities and increasing equitable outcomes. These donations will allow us to continue fighting some of the region’s most difficult food insecurities while increasing our educational opportunities for our black youth, empowering them through historical narratives that their ancestors were the innovators of the agricultural industry.”



About Central Florida Foundation

Central Florida Foundation is the place for people who want to invest in their community. The Foundation serves as the region’s community foundation and is home to more than 400 charitable funds. The Foundation manages and invests funds, offers personalized service and expert giving advice, connects caring people, businesses, governments and organizations to local initiatives that build and inspire community, and empowers them to make informed decisions that make a difference now and in the future. Central Florida Foundation works with individuals, families, businesses, professional advisors and nonprofits. For more information on the Foundation, please visit www.cffound.org.


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