In honor of a beloved community supporter and friend, the Kingston Teaching Farm was renamed and dedicated to Richard Ireland Pigford on August 7, 2019. Known to most as "Dick", the noted architect and Kingston Coaltion charter member passed away on March 31, 2019.
"We are humbled by the dedication of the teaching farm in Dick's name," said wife Dana Pigford. "This gesture from the people of Kingston is an honor and means so much to our family."
Dick Pigford was known for his participation and leadership in the UAB Minority Health & Health Disparities Research Center's Building Healthy Communities Coalition in Kingston and his love for the peole of Birmingham, especially those in the Kingston community. Mr. Pigford was deeply involved with and tirelessly committed to various initiatives in Kingston, such as the Kingston Community Garden, numerous projects at the Morton Simpson Housing Community Center, Holistics Neighborhoods and Kingston's "Get to Know Your Neighbor Day".
"Dick was a tremendous presence in Birmingham and surrounding communities and one that will be sorely missed," said Mona Fouad, director of the UAB Minority Health & Health Disparities Research Center and Principal Investigator for the Obesity Health Disparities Research Center which supports the work of the Building Healthy Communities Coalitions. "We are grateful to be able to hnor one of his many legacies and sustain the impact he made on community health."
"Mr. Pigford was not only a member of our Kingston BHC Coalition, but he was also a friend who was eager to collaborate on ideas so that we could continue the work of eliminating barriers for the residents of the community," said Tiffany Osborne, MHRC Community Engagement Director.
The Kingston Teaching Farm was renamed and dedicated to Dick Pigford at a ceremony at the garden, where a permanent sign was unveiled.