Urban Harvest STL builds community around inclusive and resilient local food systems. Comprised of two preschool gardens, a rooftop garden, a traditional urban farm, and a new demonstration garden, UHSTL’s 6 farms grow produce in a variety of ways that are accessible and replicable to a range of urban communities. In 2023, we grew 6,517 pounds of fresh produce across 5 urban farms worth $24,644.34 and distributed 83% of it to communities identified by the US census as low income with low access to a grocery store. Each of our farms operates in partnership with another local organization as building community must involve a variety of stakeholders. For Give STL Day, Urban Harvest STL is spotlighting our partnership with Fresh Starts Community Garden.
In 2016, we partnered with Miss Rosie Willis to manage 20 beds in her community garden in JeffVanderLou. Fresh Starts nourishes the local community and resident gardeners with fresh organic produce and social connectedness. To keep Fresh Starts productive and accessible, we provide farmers and volunteers, build and repair needed garden structure like raised bed, acquire and maintain needed garden tools.
Urban Harvest STL provides mulch, compost, soil, soil amendments, seed and plants for use by the resident gardeners. We will also be working with Ms. Rosie to provide general garden maintenance, like mowing and trimming, so the garden is both beautiful and productive. Using electric string trimmer and lawnmower reduces the need for gasoline and is easier for older adults to start and use. Finally, a port-a-potty is provided so that gardeners, visitors and volunteers can use the restroom when on-site.
With your gift on Give STL Day, you can help to reduce the barriers that make gardening inaccessible to many people, providing an inviting and vibrant space that attracts community to the JeffVanderLou neighborhood. By expanding access to community gardens, you help to provide holistic health benefits to low income and low access communities.