YOUNGSTOWN — One statement sums up Constance Burgess’ intentions for Bronson Family Farm.

“This is about growing more than vegetables. It’s about growing a future. We’re creating a space where land, legacy and learning come together to enrich lives,” she said.

Spread over 118 acres at 2350 Lansdowne Blvd., with permission from the Lansdowne Airport Association, the site aims to become a community-focused agritourism project and will include open land and green space surrounding the active private airstrip.

“We are mindful of the airport’s status and maintain a respectful boundary between farm activities and aviation operations,” Burgess, the founder and president of Bronson Family Farm LLC, said.

A soft launch, and its first public event, took place last Saturday with Community Grow Day. Volunteers planted sunflowers, set up the initial area crops by spreading out branches, mulch and compost, received seeds to plant in their home gardens as well as horticulture information and enjoyed a free meal.

Burgess’ enthusiasm for the project is matched by her practical planning and approach. She viewed the event as an introduction to the site and its community-focused mission. Her goals for the day included “inspire shared action and ownership of a space meant to grow health, opportunity and belonging, and lay the groundwork for long-term education, wellness and workforce development efforts.”

She added, “We hope participants leave with their hands in the soil and their hearts more hopeful.”

With an approach of learning and growing, she wants the farm to become an environment of empowerment.

“I believe urban agriculture is a pathway to transformation, especially in communities that have endured disinvestment or displacement,” Burgess said. “It provides fresh, affordable food in areas with limited access, hands-on education for youth and second-chance individuals, therapeutic value through land-based healing and economic development through local enterprise and job training.”

Her Community Grow Day began by explaining to volunteers the method of setting up the first planting area and why it’s being done in that manner. Later, she learned how to use a Bobcat compact track loader to move a large pile of compost and discussed seeds, advantageous planting methods and crop rotation with others.

Moving to the Youngstown area in order to be closer to her grandchildren and “embrace a more affordable, meaningful life,” Burgess revisited her family’s heritage.

“My grandmother farmed in Santa Rosa, California, and after surviving a traumatic brain injury and years of recovery, I knew I wanted to create something healing and generational. Bronson Family Farm is more than a business; it’s a mission rooted in restoration and purpose.”

Established a year ago, she explained that “While I do not own the land, I operate under formal site access and use approval from the Lansdowne Airport Association, which owns the property. Bronson Family Farm is the business stewarding its transformation through planning, programming and community partnerships.”

In order to be properly prepared to develop the farm, she went through a 28-week program through Central State University Extension’s Fastrack Farming Initiative, covering topics such as soil health and regenerative agriculture, season extension and crop planning, urban agriculture principles, business development and farm financing, food safety and risk management, marketing, sales and Community Supported Agriculture models.

She graduated with a business plan and refined it with the help of Valley Economic Development Partners.

Her overall goal for the land involves making it an agritourism destination with activities such as a mini-golf course and Kids Zone plus a shop featuring locally-made goods, glamping experiences and full disability access to go along with the fresh, healthy food grown on site.

For now, the farm hosts the Youngstown RC Club, which is run by her son, Devyn Bellamy. The members fly their radio-controlled airplanes and drive their radio-controlled cars.

Burgess explained that “Agritourism combines agriculture with public experiences, allowing visitors to engage with farming through tours, workshops, festivals and events. At Bronson Family Farm, agritourism is at the heart of everything we do.

“People grow and harvest food together. Families learn through interactive, on-site experiences. Students explore science and sustainability hands-on and the community gathers for healing, learning, and joy. It’s farming as an experience and as a catalyst for connection.”

She wants Bronson Family Farm to be a place of learning, planting and harvesting year-round with wellness and cultural events added to the Community Supported Agriculture initiative.

“While 2026 marks our target for full operational launch, 2025 is a build-and-engage year,” she said.