White Harvest Farms

White Harvest Farms (WHF), an initiative of the Clara White Mission, is a 10.5-acre urban farm and training center. White Harvest Farms is located in the historically rich and vibrant neighborhood of Moncrief Springs. The land farmed on today was sold to founder Dr. Eartha White in 1901 by the state’s first African American millionaire, A. L. Lewis. Eartha homesteaded the land for many years, establishing the Boys Improvement Club, a spring-fed pool, and the first African American museum and nursing home in the state of Florida. Eartha, was dedicated to enriching and uplifting the community. Today, the museum still stands on the farm property and is registered as a local historical site. Unfortunately, in the 1960s, the spring was closed as part of a water improvement plan. Much of the northside attractions were closed as a result. Today the Moncrief Creek runs through the farm, separating the 10.5-acre property.

Since 2012, WHF has worked to become a symbol of hope and healing of the community disparities. The farm has adopted no-till regenerative agriculture in an effort to restore soil fertility and grow nutritional food on the land. In fall 2018, WHF was awarded a 3-year NRCS Conservation and Innovation Grant. This grant has enabled WHF to improve the soil on the farm, incorporate biological practices to promote and sustain soil life, develop an onsite compost facility, and implement an integrated pest management system. Through the commitment of organic farming, WHF is able to grow and provide high-quality produce for the community.

WHF offers fresh produce at the farmer’s markets every Saturday 10-2, from October- June. WHF accepts EBT, WIC Vouchers, cash and credit cards for accessible purchases. Also, produce is donated to the Clara White Mission to support their feeding program to the homeless. Additionally, WHF has several local restaurants that purchase produce and partner with the farm. Through continued partnerships at the federal, state and local level WHF continues its dedication to regenerative farm practices and services to the community. WHF is in the process of becoming a multifaceted agritourism destination and agricultural training center. The 5-year strategic plan includes an educational farm for youth programming and job training in agriculture and sustainability practices.

The vision of the WHF is to feed people, heal the land and empower the community. Through the many partnerships, volunteers and staff White Harvest Farms brings new energy, life and resources to the Historic Moncrief Springs community honoring the life and work of Dr. Eartha M. M.White.

The Clara White Mission established White Harvest Farms in 2012 at 4850 Moncrief Road, Jacksonville, Florida 32209, the heart of Historic Moncrief Springs.

​The Mission purchased 3 blighted parcels adjacent to the property. Currently, the mission’s property consists of a total of 10.5 acres. Our goal is to target food desert residents, low-income, homeless veterans and disadvantaged who lack education and skills for employment.

​This property was an ash site, until it was cleaned -up by the City of Jacksonville.  The property was remediated and new soil was brought to the site to accommodate the new initiative of the mission’s urban farm, “White Harvest Farms”.