Planting Roots

Here in Austin, there is a lot of emphasis placed on the concept of self-sufficiency, both as an individual and as a community. It is a concentrated effort on many parts to ensure that we continue to find new ways to adapt and protect our way of life.  The Urban Roots farm, located in east Austin, is a manifestation of this ideal. It is a 3.5 acre urban sustainable farm, tended by local volunteers and kids.  Founded in 2007, it began as a youth outreach program to foster healthy living and eating. In 2011, it became its own full-fledged non-profit agency.

Urban Roots provides paid internships to people between the ages of 14-17, who work for 25 weeks during the spring and summer program.   These youth interns develop essential life and job skills, while growing food for the Austin community.  They learn about agriculture, horticulture, healthy eating, sustainability, and hard work.

Each year, the farm has a goal of growing about 30,000 pounds of produce. They donate 40% of the harvest to local soup kitchens and food pantries and sell the other 60% at farmers’ markets (located in the Triangle), and also through their Community Supported Agriculture Program.

The Community Supported Agriculture Program (CSA) is the best way to enjoy the produce cultivated from the Urban Roots farm.  Once you become a member, you are exposed to the variety of seasonal vegetables and fruits and automatically become a part of the sustainable food movement.  Urban Roots will benefit from your support by receiving upfront, steady income from members, minimizing some of the risks that come with small-scale farming.

Each week (or every other week for Half Shares) you pick up your bag of produce from your designated market.  Your share will consist of a variety of vegetables and herbs grown on the Urban Roots farm and will change on a weekly basis. One share will supply a family of 2-4 fresh produce for a week, depending on your eating habits. The produce includes a variety of basil, beet, broccoli, cabbage, carrot, cauliflower, cilantro, cucumber, eggplant, fig, green bean, leek, melon, onion, pepper, potato, radish, squash, tomato, turnip and an assortment of leafy greens.

In addition to the produce, Urban Roots provides a newsletter with update information about farm activities and also special food recipes.  Some of this information can also be found on their blog! To become a member of CSA, visit the Urban Roots website.

Motoza is obviously a huge proponent of the farm, and also the concept of self-sufficiency. Next week we will get our hands dirty and volunteer at the farm.  If you would like to learn more about the Urban Roots farm, or for information on volunteering yourself, please visit their website: www.urbanrootsatx.org.