FORT MYERS, Fla.- An urban farm in Fort Myers is expanding. The farm, operated by the Cultural Heritage Center in the Dunbar Community, is looking to help more people start their own gardens and grow their own food.

"I am feeling such great pride and accomplishment about this project," said Yvonne Hill of the Heritage Center.   

The farm, located on leased ground on Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., will cover more than five acres. The Center has recruited retired farmers to plant the crops, and to teach younger people how to grow food.

"I feel good doing this. I stay up at night, just thinking of more things to plant," said Roscoe Thurman, who says he worked for farmers most of his adult life. He adds, he loves putting in time at the urban farm, and feels he has done a good job if he teaches even one person to grow their own garden.

Hill says she plans to expand the farm to other parcels of land, in Fort Myers and in Lee County.  

"We can do so much to teach people about good, healthy foods. We know the problems with diabetes and obesity, so this is a way to get people to eat better and combat those illnesses," she told WINK News.

The urban farm also will start a farmer's market, selling on Saturdays,  in a few weeks.