Renown Health and Urban Roots announced today a partnership to grow food on a vacant lot owned by Renown located at corner of Gould and 2nd streets.
The new farm will consist of three high-tunnels, pollinator gardens and fruit trees. It will be an educational garden, run by AmeriCorps volunteers, encouraging healthy eating habits.
“We are excited about the opportunity to partner with a wonderful, local nonprofit organization whose mission focused on healthy living aligns with our own,” said Phyllis Freyer, Renown Health vice president of marketing and communications.
Urban Roots Executive Director Jeff Bryant echoed the sentiment.
“Creating an urban teaching farm at this location will offer the community an edible, educational resource that is welcoming and accessible for families, schools and neighbors,” he said. “We are delighted to partner with Renown to provide seed-to-table education and give students an opportunity to see the growth of healthy foods on a scale much larger than in their school gardens.”
Renown invested $100,000 into the property, and $60,000 was granted to Urban Roots to build the teaching farm. Renown said that it will make a yearly investment of $120,000 to support and maintain the farm and eight AmeriCorps volunteers.
