Urban Roots Year-Round Calendar
About Urban Roots
Urban Roots is a youth development program that uses sustainable agriculture as a means to transform the lives of young people and increase the access of healthy food in Austin.
Urban Roots hires 24 "farm interns" in January to work on our 3.5 acre urban farm during our spring and summer programs. We donate 40% of our produce to hunger relief organizations and sell 60% at farmers' markets and farm stands in Austin. In order to get all the work done, Urban Roots needs the help of many volunteers out on the farm helping to plant, maintain, and bring in the harvest.
How to Get Involved
Youth who are 14-17 in early February can apply for the program. The application will be available on the website by mid-November.
We love volunteers! During the spring and summer, we invite people to contact us to sign up to volunteer. You will have the opportunity to work on the land- planting, weeding, and harvesting. Come as an individual, a family, or bring your company for a morning of farmwork and teambuilding. When we are not out on the fields, we often still need volunteers. In the fall and winter, we plan for December's Eat Local Week, which is produced by Edible Austin magazine It is a celebration of the abundance of local food producers and restaurants. Click here to learn more about Eat Local Week. For more information about volunteering please contact Leigh Gaymon-Jones .
Ask us to come speak! Since we are a new program, we really want to spread the word about what we do. If you know of any groups (churches, companies, schools, etc.) that might be interested in hearing more about our work and seeing a photo slideshow of our youth in action - please contact us at Urban Roots
Bring your class or after-school group to the farm on a field trip for an educational farm experience! Click here for more information.
And yes - to make our program go, we need funding from individuals and foundations. Our sponsors and supporters serve and instrumental role in the work that we do. To help make what we do possible click here.
Click HERE to read and see articles and newsclips about Urban Roots
Praise for Urban Roots:
I purchased some turnips this past Saturday (4/7/08) from Urban Roots at the Austin Farmer's Market. I was so impressed with the enthusiasm and professional demeanor of the students at the booth. I just wanted write and say that I think y'all are doing great work. The turnips that I bought at the booth were delicious!
Urban Roots Year-Round Farm Calendar
October:
November: Application Deadline
Early January: Planting Begins
Mid-February: New Farm Intern Orientation Retreat
Mid-February- Mid-May:
Click HERE to sign up to volunteer.
Last 2 weeks of May and 1st week of June: Between Youth Spring and Summer Programs
June - July:
Fall
With the end of the summer, comes the end of our farming season.
In the "Offseason," Farm Interns engage in off-farm environmental activities such as Dig-Ins with Green Corn Project, Audubon Society, and TreeFolks.
Your support helps us engage Austin youth in this critical program. Click below to become an investor in Urban Roots.
