C5 was founded in 2019 by three Charles City County, VA mothers who were outraged at plans to build a 1600 megawatt natural gas plant in their neighborhood. Utilizing citizen activism and organizing, the group was able to work through state and local legislatures and regulatory agencies to demonstrate the effects the proposed plant would have on community health. Their determination and diligence was rewarded when plans for the plant were dismissed in 2022.

Today, C5 continues to work towards empowering the citizens of Charles City County through advocacy and information, as well as through health and wellness oriented programming including a weekly food pantry, workforce training, and the seven-acre Project BLACC community farm, which yielded its first harvest in 2023 and is currently planted in garlic for wholesale markets.  

In 2025 C5 was awarded an NRCS high tunnel grant, which will bring critical season extension and pest prevention infrastructure to the community farm. A 0% interest bridge loan from Foodshed Capital supported the out of pocket costs of construction prior to reimbursement.