Cul2vating Urban Roots Across Tennessee
In March, Cul2vate had the pleasure of attending the Grand Opening of Urban Roots of Tennessee, a community initiative empowering Memphis youth through hands-on farming, leadership development, and sustainable entrepreneurship.
The relationship between Cul2vate and Urban Roots began well before the ribbon cutting. Members of the Urban Roots team visited the Cul2vate Farm at the Ellington Agricultural Center, toured the fields learned about growing practices, and connection with the Cul2vate Team. Cul2vate graduate and former Farm Foreman Chris then traveled to Memphis to share his knowledge of seeds and help the team start to nurture seedlings. Chris is now on staff at Urban Roots, serving as Farm Manager and leading plant care and agricultural education.
Urban Roots also partners with Star Academy Charter School, students the opportunity to take what they learn about food science in the class room and apply it to real-world farming. Through hands-on experiences with planting, growing, and caring for crops, students gain valuable agricultural knowledge while discovering where their food comes from and what it takes to grow it. Having a beautiful, educational farm space makes those lessons come alive—and helps get students excited about agriculture!
Members of the Cul2vate staff received a warm welcome to Memphis for the Urban Roots of Tennessee Grand Opening. Students, community members, organizational leaders, and Memphis leaders gathered together to celebrate and officially cut the ribbon on an incredible new resource for the community.
Cul2vate Executive Director Joey Lankford had the opportunity to share a message with those gathered and celebrate the vision behind Urban Roots.
Watch Joey’s message from the Grand Opening and join us in celebrating this exciting new chapter for Urban Roots of Tennessee.
Fostering relationships that advance agricultural knowledge, develop people, and strengthen communities across Tennessee is an important part of Cul2vate’s work. We are honored to call the Urban Roots team friends and partners and are excited to see the seeds planted through this relationship continue to grow.
From Nashville to Memphis, we’re Growing Food. Growing People.—and growing stronger communities together.