Growing TOGETHER!

Now in our 6th growing season, Akron Cooperative Farms continues to grow and thrive in our critical mission work! Thanks to YOU and the many friends, partners, volunteers who take interest in our mission, the Farm has become a thriving, unique urban green space and haven!

Those we serve -- our urban gardeners -- comprise hundreds of refugees and immigrants from across the globe (and their families), who arrive in Akron, Ohio's North Hill community each year. Many (or most) are fleeing persecution and searching for a life of respect and dignity.

Nestled in this multicultural neighborhood is Akron Cooperative Farms -- a 4.5 acre parcel of repurposed land, formerly the Paterson Park baseball fields run by the City of Akron, an important partner to the Farm. Now vibrant, alive and maturing, the Farm provides sustainable agriculture space for North Hill residents and other neighbors -- 95% hailing from Nepal, Bhutan, Burma and Africa, to name a few nations -- to garden, gather, and GROW, TOGETHER. 

2025 highlights:

• 130+ gardeners (and their families!) are leasing 150 plots, and there is always a wait list -- we envision more space for gardening at some point, as we increase our internal capacities!
• We are undergoing strategic planning with wonderful volunteer specialists (NEXT, through Leadership Akron) and can't wait to share a new three-year plan at the end of the year.
• The amazing Hapi Fresh Farmer's Market is open for business every Wednesday at the Farm, through a long-standing partnership with ASIA, Inc.
• We continue to host a growing number of student and volunteer groups wanting to learn more about the organization, the cultural aspects of our mission, and sustainable agriculture (including composting)!
• Research projects through the College of Wooster and other also happen here, and we even have garden plots for Akron Public School students!
• We developed the concept for a new youth summer camp, Dig In!
• Each year, we update or expand on our infrastructure and gardener resources -- be it capital improvements (a new market/community pavilion, the cold storage shed, irrigation and pumps for the hoop houses, and more), or equipment (a new brush hog this year, thank you Leppo, Inc.!), or other, to ensure a positive, efficient, successful agricultural experience for all.

Generous donations, grants, and our signature fundraising event each fall help sustain our small but mighty operation. EVERY DOLLAR helps seed, or grow, or improve on some aspect of our programs and the land. Together, we are mobilizing the resources for health-and-nutrition based activities that feed families and educate our community on the beautiful diversity of this world -- and the importance of caring for earth and land.   

Please consider joining us with a one-time donation, or even better, by becoming a monthly sustaining partner (at any level)!  

धन्यवाद Dhan'yavāda  (thank you!)