Youth
500+
Youth served across all four Pathways
About · Our Impact
Positively impacting social determinants of
health.
Cultivating community health and well-being through agriculture, youth leadership, food access, and commUNITY engagement in Petersburg, Virginia.
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Impact Snapshot
What the village is growing.
Measurable movement across youth development, literacy, food access, and local reinvestment — the social determinants shifting in Petersburg.
Literacy
1,000+
Books shared through Food 4 Thought Free Libraries
Food Access
3,000+
lbs of local produce gifted into Petersburg
Economy
$15K+
Invested back into Petersburg businesses and community
Cultivating Community Health and Well-being
Health starts where people live.
Petersburg Is Growing (P.I.G.) is a community-based organization revitalizing Petersburg, Virginia — through sustainable agriculture, youth leadership, food access, and commUNITY engagement. Building a healthier, more equitable city means addressing the fundamental conditions that shape every person's quality of life.
Our approach is rooted in Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) — the conditions in which people are born, grow, work, live, and age. We transform these areas through holistic, community-led initiatives that meet immediate needs and create sustainable Pathways for long-term prosperity and well-being.
- Economic stability
- Education access
- Healthcare access
- Built environment
- Social & community context
How our Pathways map to the five social determinants of health
Village in Photos
Impact you can see.
From raised beds to workdays — the moments that move social determinants of health in Petersburg.
Soil to stomach — growing food where neighbors live
Belonging grows when the village shows up together
Education rooted in land, culture, and care
Hands-on stewardship builds confidence and joy
Local produce gifted into Petersburg neighborhoods
Safe outdoor space for young people to grow
Every Pathway strengthens social determinants of health
Compassion and care — from farm to community
Health Advisory Board
Local and regional partners at the table.
We have an advisory board made up of local and regional health partners who help guide our food access, youth wellness, and community health work across Petersburg.
Learn more →
SDOH in Action
Join Petersburg Is Growing and make a difference.
Social & Community
Petersburg Is Growing emphasizes community engagement, especially through volunteering initiatives and agricultural programs that encourage residents to participate in and shape their local environments. This strengthens social ties and creates a sense of belonging.
- Many Hands 4 Light Work
Economic Stability
Through programs like the Mobile Farmstand and Gang Culture to AgriCulture, Petersburg Is Growing offers workforce development and entrepreneurship opportunities for youth and community members. These programs provide training and pathways to employment, contributing to economic stability.
- Mobile Farmstand
- Gang Culture to AgriCulture
Education Access
Initiatives such as the Emerging Leaders Fellowship and Melanin Magic School provide youth leadership training, cultural education, and financial literacy, helping to bridge educational gaps and promote lifelong learning.
- Emerging Leaders Fellowship
- Melanin Magic School
Health Care Access & Quality
The Greater is The Goal campaign, focused on food access, directly combats food insecurity by providing free local produce to underserved communities. This increases access to nutritious food, which is vital to maintaining good health.
- Greater is The Goal
Neighborhood & Built Environment
Programs like Mini Hands for Light Work help beautify and maintain local environments, improving the safety and aesthetics of neighborhoods while fostering a sense of community pride.
- Mini Hands for Light Work
- Many Hands 4 Light Work
Take Part
Every Pathway strengthens the village.
Sponsor a seat, volunteer your hands, or enroll a Little Light — however you join, you help shift the social determinants that shape health in Petersburg.