Jamila Norman, affectionately known as Farmer J, is an internationally recognized urban farmer, food activist, and TV host.
As the founder of Patchwork City Farms—established in 2010 and positioned amid 3.75 acres inside the city of Atlanta—Jamila operates her regenerative farm year-round and promotes sustainable agriculture and lifestyles within urban regions. She is also the manager and founder of the South West Atlanta Growers Cooperative (SWAG Co-op)—a cooperative centered around Black urban farmers in Atlanta’s robust urban agriculture community.
Beyond the farm, Jamila is the host of multi-Emmy-nominated Homegrown on the Magnolia Network, where she assists families in transforming their outdoor spaces into functional farms and gardens, fostering a deeper connection to food and nature. As a thought leader, she has been featured in various publications, including the New York Times, People, TIME, CNN, TODAY, and The Drew Barrymore Show, and interviewed by NPR, Library of Congress, Southern Foodways Alliance, Oprah Daily, House Beautiful, and more.
Before pivoting to farming, Jamila spent a decade as an environmental engineer working for the State of Georgia protecting its natural resources.