(Be sure to read all the way to the end for a sneak preview of our upcoming benefit, A Taste of Spring, in April!)

In chronological order, here’s what’s happening…

The Urban Roots Day Chill is an unofficial SXSW party filled with awesome bands, hosted by some of our friends from East Side Memorial High School and local Austin musicians, Mission Dorado! No RSVP or wristband required, and it’s $5 to get in which includes a raffle ticket for some awesome prizes like gift cards for Botticelli’s, Wheatsville, Honeycomb Hair Boutique, Chipollina, and Sweetish Hill Bakery! All proceeds directly benefit Urban Roots!

Some of the bands playing include Mission Dorado, Soup, Kingston Springs, HotChaCha, Eliot Lipp, Dana Falconberry, Eastern Sea, and more!

When: Wednesday, March 14 from 11:30am – 10:30pm

Where: 1512 Forest Trail, 78703

And get ready for… MXTS 2012!!!

For the 7th year in a row, the music lovers at Home Slice Pizza  are hosting a day party during SXSW.  Called Music by the Slice, this year’s event is free with no RSVP or wristband required.

Although Music by the Slice  has been a benefit for Urban Roots for four years now, this year marks the 2nd consecutive year that all of the proceeds from the event will be donated to Urban Roots.  “Hosting music is our way to participate in the fun of this amazing festival”, says owner Terri Hannifin, “And doing it for a good cause just makes it that much better.”

Full details and the awesome lineup may be found online at facebook.com/homeslicepizza and on the Home Slice blog.

We still need volunteers to help work this event! For more information, email volunteer@urbanrootsatx.org.

When: Friday, March 16 from 11:30am – 9pm

Where: Home Slice Pizza

Urban Roots Open House

Technically, an Urban Roots Open House could be considered an Open Farm. Either way you say it, we invite

you to visit the farm, meet the youth, and learn more about the leadership program that is transforming lives through sustainable agriculture and increasing access to healthy food across Austin.

Please RSVP by March 20: info@urbanrootsatx.org.

When: Thursday, March 22 from 6pm – 7pm

Where: The Urban Roots Farm

Community Volunteer Saturday, sponsored by Austin City Council Member Mike Martinez

Austin City Council Member Mike Martinez at Urban Roots' MLK Memorial Service Day, January 2012

This Community Volunteer Saturday is not only the first youth-led volunteer day since the new crew of Farm Interns started in February, but it’s also sponsored by Austin City Council Member Mike Martinez! Council Member Martinez will be attending the volunteer day, making it an extra special event for youth and staff.

This Volunteer Day is currently full, but visit our On-Farm Volunteer Page for more upcoming opportunities to get your hands dirty at the Urban Roots farm!

When: Saturday, March 24 from 9:30am – 12pm

Where: The Urban Roots Farm

Sneak Preview to April’s A Taste of Spring benefit for Urban Roots

Sponsored by Central Market, A Taste of Spring will be an evening of savory and sweet treats, featuring appetizers and desserts prepared by local chefs using Urban Roots’ farm fresh produce. Urban Roots youth Interns will choose the menu for the evening and will speak about their experience in the program during the event. There will be music, drinks, a silent auction, and more!

Participating chefs include Rene Ortiz of La Condesa, Bryce Gilmore of Barley Swine, and Amanda Wadsworth Bates of Tiny Pies.

When: Thursday, April 19 from 6pm-8pm

For more information, visit www.urbanrootsatx.org/events/tasteofspring.

Cut up some fresh cucumbers, add some red hot chili peppers, take a bite out of crunchy carrots. What sounds like a delicious recipe are just a few of the vegetables eighth graders from San Juan Diego High School enjoy most. On a recent November afternoon, the group of 17 students, 3 teachers, and a parent chaperone visited the farm for one of Urban Roots’ fall field trips.

The students came well prepared to learn more about farming. Several have gardens at home, and in class they have been studying migrant farm labor, the effects of pesticides, and industrialized farming practices. “Remember what we have been learning about migrant laborers?” their teacher Mr. Rodriguez asked at the beginning of the field trip. Visiting the farm was one part of the students’ lesson on food justice.

Their visit to the farm began with a farm tour facilitated by Urban Roots
Outreach Apprentices Naya Jones and Leah Jones.

Students learned about alternative, sustainable practices for producing food locally. They witnessed lush veggies, among them basil, cilantro, carrots, cucumber, and Swiss chard, growing on the farm. They even had a chance to taste the fresh basil and cilantro for themselves. (Cilantro was a particular favorite!) The turnips are particularly grateful for the students’ visit. Because the eighth graders removed weeds, we can better expect juicy turnips for the winter harvest.

Aside from the farm tour, students also participated in two games packed
with facts about the food system. Students learned some of their favorite
foods, such as carrots, typically travel thousands of miles to reach their
plates. During the Food Justice walk, they discussed food inequalities and
possible solutions.

Urban Roots would like to say THANK YOU to San Juan Diego High School for visiting the farm.

Interested in an Urban Roots field trip? We host field trips for groups ages pre-school and up, Tuesday and Thursday afternoons!

Contact us at fieldtrips@urbanroots.atx.org or by phone at 512.750.8019 for
more information.

-Naya Jones, Urban Roots Outreach Apprentice

Follow us as we transition into an independent non-profit organization.

Our Program Director and Co-founder Max Elliot shares his thoughts on this new, exciting change and what it means for Urban Roots:

WHY IS URBAN ROOTS BECOMING AN INDEPENDENT ORGANIZATION?

In 2007, YouthLaunch sowed the seeds of Urban Roots, a dynamic youth development program. While the Board of Directors of YouthLaunch is working to overcome funding challenges within the organization, they have recognized the strength and value of Urban Roots in the Austin community. The Board has determined that the best strategy to ensure the continued success of the Urban Roots program is to support Urban Roots in becoming its own independent organization. Urban Roots is excited to continue its unique work with young people and the community by making the transition toward becoming an independent non-profit agency.

WHAT ARE THE PROGRAM GOALS FOR THE UPCOMING YEAR?

In the 2010-2011 program year, Urban Roots engaged 30 Austin youth to plant, cultivate and harvest over 32,000 pounds of healthy fruits and vegetables. We donated more than 40% of the produce to local soup kitchens and food pantries.  Youth farm Interns led almost 500 youth and adults on farm tours and field trips. Over 600 adults got their hands dirty by volunteering on the Urban Roots farm through our Community Volunteer Days.

In the current 2011-2012 program, we aim to match the same goals and objectives to grow 30,000 lbs of food for the community on our 3.5 acre farm with 30 youth Farm Interns.  We are also excited to welcome even more community members and students to volunteer and visit the farm for field trips.  We will continue to set a high bar for success for our youth and for our organization moving forward through this transition.

WHAT IMPACT WILL THIS TRANSITION HAVE ON URBAN ROOTS AND ITS PROGRAMMING? 

This is a very exciting time for Urban Roots, and as we take these first few steps as a brand new organization, your support will be critical.  We are asking our friends and supporters for their immediate, generous financial investment in this growing organization. We will also continue to rely on your volunteer efforts, advocacy, and connections to help Urban Roots continue to flourish, now as a successful, sustainable, and independent non-profit.  This transition is already underway, and we are excited about giving you the opportunity to show your support.

With the support of the Austin community, we strongly believe that an independent Urban Roots will have the infrastructure and organizational culture to continue to provide high quality programming. Additional funding is necessary to ensure our ability to do so.

URBAN ROOTS IS PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THE FIRST STEPS IN OUR TRANSITION:

New website: www.urbanrootsatx.org

New office at Center 61 in the People Fund Building at 2921 E. 17^th, Austin, TX, 78702

New mailing address: P.O. Box 12745, Austin, TX 78711 (The Urban Roots farm will continue to be at 7651 Delwau Lane, Austin, TX 78725)

New phone numbers: To be coming soon!

New e-mails:

• Max Elliott, Program Director: max@urbanrootsatx.org
• Leigh Gaymon-Jones, Youth Program Coordinator: leigh@urbanrootsatx.org
• Marysol Valle, Farm Manager: marysol@urbanrootsatx.org
• Shirene Garcia, Outreach Coordinator: shirene@urbanrootsatx.org

We have recently filed for our own 501c3 status as an independent agency; however, until this process is approved, YouthLaunch will continue to be the Urban Roots fiscal sponsor.

WHAT ARE THE MAIN NEEDS OF URBAN ROOTS AND HOW CAN I HELP?

The most important contribution that individuals can make to help Urban Roots during this pivotal transition is financial –your thoughtful and generous donations are vital to ensure that the organization will continue to provide quality programming and services to the Austin community.

WAYS TO SUPPORT URBAN ROOTS:

• Make a tax deductable donation to Urban Roots (although this is a link through the YouthLaunch website, 100% of your donation will go to support Urban Roots)

• Donate items on our Wishlist
• Purchase our produce at the SFC downtown Farmers’ Market on Saturdays at Republic Square Park (4^th & Guadalupe)
• Join our 30 member CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) subscription program for the 2012 season. Visit our CSA page or contact Marysol for more information.
• Host a party on behalf of Urban Roots to help us raise funds. Contact Shirene for more information.
• Follow us on Facebook
• Participate in Edible Austin Eat Drink Local Week, which benefits Urban Roots and Sustainable Food Center.
• Schedule Corporate Team Building Days for your business or work place.
• Share information about Urban Roots with your friends and family!

Thank you all for your continued support. We couldn’t do this work without you! We hope to see you on the farm or in the community soon!

- Max
Urban Roots Program Director