The Urban Farm

THE URBAN FARM (TUF) IS A COMMUNITY FARM AND EDUCATIONAL CENTER, WHICH PROVIDES THE OPPORTUNITY FOR URBAN RESIDENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN AGRICULTURE BY REMOVING THE BARRIERS TO ENTRY SUCH AS LAND ACCESS, TIME, LOCATION AND FINANCES. TUF INSPIRES EXCITEMENT FOR LEARNING THROUGH PRACTICAL WORK EXPERIENCE AND HANDS-ON EDUCATION WHILE FOSTERING RESPECT, RESPONSIBILITY, CURIOSITY, COMPASSION AND GRIT.

THE URBAN FARM (TUF) STRIVES TO PROVIDE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR URBAN YOUTH TO ENGAGE AND PARTICIPATE IN LOCAL FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS BY REMOVING THE BARRIERS TO ENTRY SUCH AS LAND ACCESS, TIME, LOCATION AND FINANCES. TUF DELIVERS EXPERIENTIAL PROGRAMS IN ANIMAL HUSBANDRY, ORGANIC GARDENING, ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION, LAND CONSERVATION, AND FOOD SECURITY THAT PROVIDE PRACTICAL AND BEHAVIORAL LIFE SKILLS FOR YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS. OUR ASPIRATION IS TO FOSTER COMPASSION AND RESILIENCE IN PEOPLE AND INSPIRE THEM TO BUILD SUSTAINABLE, HEALTHY, AND EQUITABLE COMMUNITIES. TUF SERVES DENVER METRO-AREA RESIDENTS AND VISITORS THROUGH YEAR-ROUND PROGRAMS, SIGNATURE EVENTS AND GENERAL ADMISSION, ALL STRENGTHENED THROUGH OUR MANY GOVERNMENTAL AND NONPROFIT PARTNERSHIPS:FARM-TO-SCHOOL: PRE-K-12 STUDENTS ENJOY FIELD TRIPS ON THE FARM, CURRICULUM IS ALIGNED WITH EDUCATION STANDARDS IN NATURAL & SOCIAL SCIENCES. THROUGH HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES, PARTICIPANTS LEARN ABOUT AGRICULTURE, LIVESTOCK, FOOD SYSTEMS & HORTICULTURE. IN 2022 TUF SERVED OVER 12957 THROUGH IN-PERSON FIELD TRIPS. FOOD DONATIONS OVER 14,000 LBS OF FARM FRESH VEGETABLES, MEAT, AND EGGS RAISED AT TUF WERE DONATED TO LOCAL FOOD PANTRIES AND PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS FOR DISTRIBUTION. SUMMER DISCOVERY: OVER 720 CHILDREN ATTENDED TUFS CAMPS IN 2022 OVER 13 WEEKS CAMPS FOR YOUNG FARMERS & HORSEBACK RIDERS WERE OFFERED, WHERE YOUTH AGES 4-16 LEARN HOW TO CARE FOR ANIMALS, CULTIVATE CROPS & BE STEWARDS OF THE LAND. EQUESTRIAN PROGRAM: OVER 96 YOUTH (8-18) LEARN HORSEMANSHIP SKILLS FROM BEGINNER TO ADVANCED THROUGH OUR YEAR-ROUND RIDING PROGRAM. RIDERS CAN COMPETE AS A TEAM IN THE INTERSCHOLASTIC EQUESTRIAN ASSOCIATION & TUFS SHOWS, REMOVING BARRIERS TO A SPORT TYPICALLY LIMITED TO THOSE WHO CAN AFFORD TO LEASE OR OWN A HORSE.CULTIVATING CHANGE IN YOUTH: TUF AND DENVER JUVENILE SERVICES- HELPING YOUTH PURSUE EXCELLENCE HAVE BEEN WORKING IN COLLABORATION SINCE 2015 TO PROVIDE HANDS-ON CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT AND VOCATIONAL TRAINING FOR YOUTH INVOLVED IN THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM. IN 2022, TUF WILL PROVIDE EARN-WHILE-YOU-LEARN OPPORTUNITIES ON THE FARM TO 28 YOUTH. IN ADDITION, ALL YOUTH WERE PROVIDED WITH 2 MEALS PER DAY AND GROCERY BOXES TOTALING 878 MEALS, 429 SNACKS AND 3600 LBS OF FOOD THROUGH FREE GROCERY BOXES. GOWILD PROGRAMS: THROUGH A PARTNERSHIP WITH GOCO, TUF PROVIDES ON AND OFF-SITE PROGRAMMING TO YOUTH IN NORTHEAST METRO DENVER AND AURORA FREE OF CHARGE. OFFERINGS INCLUDE FIELD TRIPS, CAMPS, RIDING LESSONS & PAID INTERNSHIPS. IN 2022, TUF OFFERED OFF-SITE PROGRAMMING TO OVER 2500 YOUTH. LIVESTOCK CLUBS & CLASSES: TUF HAS ONE OF THE LARGEST 4H PROGRAMS ON THE FRONT RANGE AND IS UNIQUE IN ALLOWING PARTICIPANTS TO UTILIZE ANIMALS THAT LIVE AT THE FARM. YOUTH LEARN HOW TO RAISE, BREED AND SHOW LIVESTOCK. OVER 100 YOUTH ARE ENROLLED IN POULTRY, SHEEP & GOATS CLUBS AND LIVESTOCK BASED AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS.