Donate: Why

Whether you buy locally grown products, eat at restaurants that serve local food, grow a garden, compost, or participate in organizations that support local food, you are an integral part of a growing community of citizens concerned about the sources of our food. CCUA is asking for your financial support to help us grow as an organization and an asset to this community.

Our primary focus is education. We strive to demonstrate the viability of urban food production and educate all ages and facets of the community on those production methods. Currently our organization:

• Hosts workshops and tours at our demonstration garden and office.
• Works inside local schools and colleges, teaching lessons on composting and gardening and offering advice on implementing gardening projects and curriculum.
• In 2009 more than 500 individuals from schools, community groups, and the general public toured our garden and were introduced to the benefits of growing food in the city.

In order to educate the public we engage in a variety of urban agricultural activities including:

• A demonstration garden at the corner of Ash and St. Joseph showcasing more than 100 varieties of vegetables, herbs, and flowers.
• Collection of local food waste and maintenance of compost bins at 5 community gardens.
• A large repository of composting worms.
• A small flock of urban laying hens.

In order for us to continue providing an educational resource to Columbia we need your help. Our ambitious plans for 2010 will require additional funding. We will be expanding our workshop offerings to cover gardening, composting, city hen management, seed saving, and food preservation. We will be returning to schools and expanding our work with community organizations. We are also offering a garden installation service that will cater to people of all income levels. Finally, this spring we are breaking ground on a new 1.3 acre lot, which will house not only vegetables, but also an orchard, a berry patch, and a vineyard. With this garden we hope to strengthen the foundation of our organization by growing produce to sell at local markets, providing a stable source of income in order to continue and expand our educational and outreach programs.

Your monetary assistance will ensure the success of these endeavors. Together we can work toward a healthier, more sustainable community.