Frogtown Gardens

FROGTOWN FARM IS AN URBAN DEMONSTRATION FARM - DESTINATIONS FOR THOSE WHO SEEK LEARNING, INNOVATION, REFLECTION, CELEBRATION, AND AUTHENTIC COMMUNITY.

IN 2023 FROGTOWN FARM COMPLETED ITS 8TH YEAR OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION ON THE 3.5-ACRE FARM LEASED FROM THE CITY OF ST. PAUL PARKS AND RECREATION. THE FARM CONTINUED TO DIVERSIFY ITS CROP PRODUCTION. WE SUCCESSFULLY PLANTED 40 FRUIT TREES AND SHRUBS WITH COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION, FURTHERING OUR COMMITMENT TO SUSTAINABLE URBAN AGRICULTURE. OVER 7,025 POUNDS OF PRODUCE WERE DONATED TO COMMUNITY FOOD DISTRIBUTION OUTLETS SUCH AS FEEDING FROGTOWN, THE SANNEH FOUNDATION, SOUTHSIDE FOODSHARE, AND MEALS ON WHEELS. OUR 90-FOOT HOOP HOUSE SUPPORTED THE GROWTH OF TOMATOES, SQUASH, EGGPLANT, AND GREENS, CONTRIBUTING TO THE LOCAL FOOD SYSTEM. WE PROVIDED FREE PRODUCE TO UNHOUSED ENCAMPMENTS, DISTRIBUTING 106 POUNDS DIRECTLY TO THOSE IN NEED AND SUPPLIED FRESH HERBS FOR COOKING EVENTS HELD IN OUR OUTDOOR KITCHEN. THESE EFFORTS ALIGN WITH OUR MISSION TO FOSTER INTERCONNECTEDNESS BETWEEN PEOPLE AND THE LAND THROUGH FOOD.

IN 2023, FROGTOWN FARM HOSTED 40 EVENTS, INCLUDING WORKSHOPS, FARM TOURS, AND COMMUNITY GATHERINGS. NOTABLE EVENTS INCLUDED THE JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION, WHICH DREW APPROXIMATELY 125 PARTICIPANTS. WE ALSO COLLABORATED WITH ST. PAUL PUBLIC SCHOOLS OFFICE OF EARLY LEARNING THROUGH THE THRIVE (TOGETHER HELPING TO REACH INCREDIBLE VICTORIES THROUGH EDUCATION AND ENCOURAGEMENT) PROGRAM. THIS INITIATIVE INTRODUCED PRESCHOOLERS AND THEIR PARENTS TO FROGTOWN FARM, WITH ACTIVITIES FOCUSED ON PLANTING VEGETABLES, OUTDOOR COOKING, AND NATURE EXPLORATION. ADDITIONALLY, WE PARTNERED WITH THE CITY OF ST. PAUL???S REC CHECK AND RIGHT TRACK YOUTH EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMS, OFFERING JOB TRAINING AND SKILL-BUILDING OPPORTUNITIES. OUR TEAM PROVIDED TOURS FOR A VARIETY OF ORGANIZATIONS, SCHOOL GROUPS, AND FUNDERS, HIGHLIGHTING OUR COMMITMENT TO EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT.

FROGTOWN FARM SERVED AS A VIBRANT VENUE FOR ARTS AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES IN 2023. EVENTS INCLUDED FORAGING WORKSHOPS, FILMS ON THE FARM, HEALING DRUM SESSIONS, AND COMMUNITY PLANTING DAYS. OUR OUTDOOR KITCHEN HOSTED PIZZA PARTIES, UTILIZING PRODUCE AND HERBS GROWN ON THE FARM. WE ENGAGED THE COMMUNITY THROUGH EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS THAT FOCUSED ON FARMING PRACTICES AND SUSTAINABILITY. THE FARM CONTINUED TO ATTRACT BIRD-WATCHERS, WALKERS, AND ANYONE SEEKING A GREEN SPACE TO ENJOY, CONTRIBUTING TO ITS STATUS AS A COMMUNITY HUB FOR BOTH CULTURAL AND NATURAL APPRECIATION.