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 and Founder of Petersburg Is Growing, Cherry plays a pivotal role in addressing food insecurity, promoting environmental stewardship, and empowering the next generation of leaders.

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.

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.