Tyrone Cherry III is a visionary leader, educator, and urban farmer dedicated to transforming the community of Petersburg, Virginia, through sustainable agriculture, education, and food justice. As Executive Director of Petersburg Is Growing, Cherry plays a pivotal role in addressing food insecurity, promoting environmental stewardship, and empowering the next generation of leaders.
"Tyrone Cherry is a Homeschool parent of 4 elementary school aged children, previously a professional educator of over 20yrs. Cherry served as a principal of a charter school in Charlotte, NC as well as teaching at public, private, charter, and public charter schools in Hopewell, Petersburg, Omaha, Boston, Atlanta, Charlotte, and Sussex. Eventually, he left traditional education to spend more time with his “lil lights” and to customize their curriculum to fit our family values. Recently he has partnered his passion for the little people with his passion for plants and founded the Petersburg Oasis Youth Farm to provide experiential education in the area of agriculture. His teaching philosophy? “A child doesn’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care.” – Charlie Sposato
Roots in Education and Community Mobilization
Before fully immersing himself in the world of urban farming, Cherry spent many years as an educator and principal, guiding students academically and personally. His passion for community work took on new meaning in 2014, when the tragic death of Michael Brown sparked a call to action. Inspired by the youth of Petersburg, Cherry launched an initiative to mobilize students in both academic success and positive community engagement. This early effort laid the foundation for his larger projects in farming and food access.
Founder of Petersburg Oasis CommUNITY Farm
In 2014, Cherry began building raised garden beds in his front yard to address food insecurity in his neighborhood. What started as a small-scale project evolved into Petersburg Oasis CommUNITY Farm, a 5-acre urban farm that now serves as a green space and outdoor classroom. The farm not only produces fresh food for local families, but also teaches young people vital skills in agriculture, sustainability, and healthy living. The farm is more than a growing space—it’s a hub for community empowerment and a tool for fostering environmental resilience. While the farm is dedicated to new and beginning farmers Cherry dedicated a space intentionally for the growth and development of the youth in Petersburg. This section of the Farm is aptly named the Petersburg Oasis Youth Farm.
The Petersburg League of Urban Growers (P.L.U.G.)
Tyrone Cherry is also the founder of the Petersburg League of Urban Growers (P.L.U.G.), an organization that promotes self-sufficiency, health, and community collaboration through urban agriculture. The league’s mission is to shift the mindset of the community from one of scarcity to abundance, using farming as a tool to build wealth—both in terms of health and prosperity—for generations to come.
Market Leader and Advocate for Food Access
In addition to his work on the farm, Cherry is heavily involved in local efforts to expand food access. He served as the market assistant for the POP! Market (Petersburg Offers Produce) and worked with the Petersburg River Street Farmers Market, where fresh produce is made available to low-income families. Through these initiatives, Cherry helps residents make the most of their SNAP benefits by leveraging programs like Virginia Fresh Match, which doubles the value of SNAP dollars spent on fruits and vegetables.
Advisory Role in Urban Agriculture
In addition to his direct work with Petersburg Is Growing, Cherry serves as an advisor for the Advancing Urban Agriculture and Sustainable Food Systems in Virginia initiative, supported by Virginia Tech, Virginia State University, and the USDA Farm Service Agency. This initiative seeks to expand urban farming efforts across Virginia, focusing on capacity building and best practices for soil health and sustainable urban food systems. Cherry’s role in co-hosting workshops and providing leadership helps shape the future of urban agriculture in Virginia.
A Holistic Vision for Petersburg’s Future
For Cherry, farming is more than an agricultural practice—it’s an act of self-love and community care. He sees urban agriculture as a bridge between the past and future, one that connects people with their history while cultivating a healthier, more sustainable future. Through his efforts, Cherry is turning food deserts into "oases" of opportunity, where families can thrive, and young people can learn how to nurture both the earth and themselves.
Awards and Recognition
Tyrone Cherry’s work has been widely recognized for its impact on the community. In 2022, he was honored as a recipient of the Real Farmer Care initiative, which supports the self-care of farmers who are making meaningful contributions to their communities. Cherry’s dedication to farming and community transformation continues to inspire others and set the standard for grassroots leadership.
Under Cherry’s leadership, Petersburg Is Growing is focused on creating lasting change in Petersburg, building a community where everyone has access to healthy food, and developing future leaders through education and empowerment.
In The News:
"Tyrone Cherry Helps Grow Plants & Minds In Petersburg"
| Progress Index - John Adam | Nov. 10, 2017 |
"Spring break in the (food) desert"
| Progress Index - John Adam | Apr. 7, 2018 |
"Petersburg is rated last in Virginia for health. This man hopes a community garden will help."
| CBS 6 Community - Wayne Covil | Jul. 14, 2022 |
"Healing & Community in the Midst of a Food Desert"
| North American Association for Environmental Education - Bianca Myrick | Feb. 24, 2023|
"Tyrone Cherry III"
| Burg Watching - anonymous | Aug. 24, 2022 |
"Healing & Community in the Midst of a Food Desert"
| North American Association for Environmental Education - Bianca Myrick | Feb. 24, 2023|
" Words To Live By: An Interview With Tyrone Cherry "
| Virginia HomeSchoolers | Jessica Koller | Mar. 23 2023 |
"Uncovering Urban Farming With Petersburg P.L.U.G. Farmer"
| Petersburg City Public Schools - Interview | Feb. 2, 2024 |