Summer should be a time of possibility.

For many young people in our community, it is also a time when structure disappears, access to meals becomes uncertain, and opportunities to learn, earn, and belong are harder to find.

That is where Urban Roots steps in.

Each summer, our farms become more than just growing spaces. They become classrooms and community hubs. Through our Summer Farm Program, youth step into meaningful roles where they learn how to grow food, care for the land, and show up for one another. They gain real world experience as they grow and cook food from the farm, build confidence through peer to peer leadership and by helping host Open Houses, and contribute to something bigger than themselves by sharing food with their community.

And none of this happens by accident.

Behind every harvest and shared meal is a deep investment in people, planning, and partnership. Our programming team prepares the land, coordinates with local chefs and kitchens, organizes tools and supplies, and builds a season that is both structured and responsive.

We know that talent and potential are inherent in teens, but opportunity is not. Transportation can be a barrier to participating in summer programs. So can the need to earn income. So can something as basic as consistent meals. That is why we have designed our program to meet young people and their families where they are.

We provide transportation so youth can show up consistently. We partner with local chefs and organizations to ensure every participant has access to nourishing meals and snacks during the program day, and our Hojas program makes the food youth grow available to take home Through stipends, we make it possible for high school youth to choose growth and learning without sacrificing income from a summer job.

This work is deeply rooted in community. Partnerships with organizations like Good Work Austin and Sustainable Food Center strengthen our ability to connect with food and educational opportunities. Together, we are not just running a summer camp. We are building a network of community support that nourishes both people and place.

This is not just about summer – it’s about what happens when a young person is given the chance to lead, to contribute, and to see themselves as part of a thriving community. It is about food security, building relationships, and a sense of belonging, all growing side by side.

This summer, you can help make all of this possible. Your support fuels every part of our work, from the seeds we plant to the stipends we provide, from the buses that bring youth to the farm to the meals that sustain them throughout the day. When you give, you are not just supporting a program. You are investing in young people, in community, and in a future that is more connected, more equitable, and more rooted.

Join us in growing something meaningful this summer.

Dig Deep to Grow Tall

Team Members