Urban Roots

Urban Roots uses farming as a way to foster business and social skills

Urban Roots
4900 Gonzales
Austin, TX 78702
Max Elliott (512) 750-8019
E-mail: info@urbanrootsatx.org
Net: urbanrootsatx.org
Facebook: facebook.com/urbanrootsatx
Urban Roots is one of the only urban farms still left in Austin, and the only one that offers tours to schools and the general public. We grow as much as 30,000 pounds of organic food a year, donating 40% of it to charities. A key part of our mission is youth training in key aspects of the food production. We also encourage and direct farm volunteers of all ages. Some corporations host volunteer workdays with their employees.
Audiences: Farm Tours – All school grades, youth groups, and adults; Community Volunteers – ages 10 to adult; Youth Training – High school thru college (ages 14 to 23).
Farm Tours: Tours and field trips for our East Austin farm are provided for all grades, as well as scout groups, youth groups, etc. Grades K – 5 are TEKS aligned. About 1,000 people a year take our tour, which is free for Title 1 schools. A minimum of 10 are required. RSVP on Web site.
Community Volunteers: Volunteer needs are cyclical and occur several times a year. They take place on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, 9 AM to 12 PM for ages 10 to adult. There are about 1,500 individual and corporate volunteers annually. Staff and interns teach them to grow food. RSVP on Web site.
Youth Training: High school students 14 – 17 years old can become paid interns. They are trained in key aspects of the “food chain”: growing; sales and business management; donations; and preparation.   Interns also lead farm tours and instruct volunteers. College-aged students can become fellows. Their work includes an in-depth service project with a hunger relief partner. Young people learn formative leadership and job skills that help them in the future.

Continue to Westcave Outdoor Discovery Center ->