Friday Favorite May 14, 2010: Urban Farming Organization

When I was at home recovering from surgery, I watched an episode of The Ellen Degeneres Show which happened to have Executive Director and Founder of Urban Farming Taja Sevelle as a guest. I thought to myself what a great idea this was and how many people they are helping with their program.

Since I am in the field of Human development/Family Studies, and Sociology, this program really spoke to me as a way to be able to help families, youth, and combat the problems of poverty and help those people who need it, especially the children. I believe this is an excellent program and everyone should be aware of it.

Urban Farming started in one city, Detroit Michigan, and has now expanded into 30 cities across the country and abroad with the equivalent of over eight hundred gardens. They are doing great work and impacting the lives of many many people.

Urban Farming's mission is to create an abundance of food for people in need by planting gardens on unused land and space while increasing diversity, educating youth, adults and seniors and providing an environmentally sustainable system to uplift communities.

The program

According to their website, Urban Farming is an international 501(c)3 organization headquartered in Detroit, Michigan.

We bring people together in communities throughout America and abroad to plant food on unused land, space, rooftops and walls, with the intention of ending hunger in our generation, while greening the globe.

Each harvest is free for everyone to enjoy. Neighbors are encouraged to share their healthy food with local food banks to help others in need. We also host several green science gardens in schools Kindergarten through College age. Students learn about team building, skills training, self-sufficiency, environmental issues, health and nutrition. Older students receive the education and inspiration to prepare them for many types of green jobs, while being encouraged to stay in school and volunteer.