Urban Harvest STL builds community around inclusive and resilient local food systems.

Urban Harvest STL believes in food rights -  all members of our community should have equitable access to fresh, healthy food regardless of socioeconomic status, race or location. We grow healthy produce across a network of urban farms in the heart of St. Louis and donate the majority of the harvest to nonprofit partners serving communities with limited or non-existent access to healthy, nutritious food. Urban Harvest STL also educates and engages the surrounding community in these efforts.


OUR HISTORY

timeline
Urban Harvest STL is conceived as an organization by founder Mary Ostafi. It is incorporated as a 501(c)3 nonprofit later that year.

Urban Harvest STL is conceived as an organization by founder Mary Ostafi. It is incorporated as a 501(c)3 nonprofit later that year.

The FARMily focuses on designing the FOOD ROOF and raising money to fund construction.

The FARMily focuses on designing the FOOD ROOF and raising money to fund construction.

Mary presents about the impending FOOD ROOF at TEDx Gateway Arch . Urban Harvest STL is awarded a federal grant through the EPA.

Mary presents about the impending FOOD ROOF at TEDx Gateway Arch. Urban Harvest STL is awarded a federal grant through the EPA.

The FOOD ROOF Farm is built and the first season of crops are harvested.

The FOOD ROOF Farm is built and the first season of crops are harvested.

In the spring, Urban Harvest STL partners with the William A. Kerr Foundation on the north riverfront to convert their sedum green roof into the Kerr FOOD ROOF . Later that year, Urban Harvest STL builds the Flance School Garden at Flance Earl

In the spring, Urban Harvest STL partners with the William A. Kerr Foundation on the north riverfront to convert their sedum green roof into the Kerr FOOD ROOF. Later that year, Urban Harvest STL builds the Flance School Garden at Flance Early Learning Center in the Carr Square neighborhood.

Urban Harvest STL joins Fresh Starts Community Garden in the JeffVanderLou neighborhood to maintain 15 thriving garden beds. Over the summer, Urban Harvest STL partners with Busch Stadium to install hydroponic towers (and later, smart pots) in t

Urban Harvest STL joins Fresh Starts Community Garden in the JeffVanderLou neighborhood to maintain 15 thriving garden beds. Over the summer, Urban Harvest STL partners with Busch Stadium to install hydroponic towers (and later, smart pots) in the Stadium Garden. We also begin partnering with the Fit and Food Connection to donate food to their food assistance program.

Urban Harvest collaborates with the Kranzberg Arts Foundation in the spring to build Sally’s Rooftop Garden & Terrace atop the .ZACK building in Grand Center. In the fall, Urban Harvest STL converts a vacant lot in the Carondelet neighborhoo

Urban Harvest collaborates with the Kranzberg Arts Foundation in the spring to build Sally’s Rooftop Garden & Terrace atop the .ZACK building in Grand Center. In the fall, Urban Harvest STL converts a vacant lot in the Carondelet neighborhood into an urban orchard - Armin Orchard - in partnership with Armin Properties.

Despite Covid-19, Urban Harvest STL is still able to grow and donate food during the pandemic. We also began construction at our newest partner site, Rung for Women .

Despite Covid-19, Urban Harvest STL is still able to grow and donate food during the pandemic. We also began construction at our newest partner site, Rung for Women.

Katie Houck joins Urban Harvest STL in December 2021 as Executive Director. She brings with her 20 years of experience in higher education and community engagement.

Katie Houck joins Urban Harvest STL in December 2021 as Executive Director. She brings with her 20 years of experience in higher education and community engagement.

Urban Harvest STL receives a multi-year Farm-to-School Implementation Grant from the USDA Food and Nutrition Service. This grant is awarded in partnership with Flance Early Learning Center and Guardian Angels Settlement Association to create t

Urban Harvest STL receives a multi-year Farm-to-School Implementation Grant from the USDA Food and Nutrition Service. This grant is awarded in partnership with Flance Early Learning Center and Guardian Angels Settlement Association to create the Little Sprouts Early Childhood Education Garden Program.

Urban Harvest STL receives a grant for the USDA’s Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production Office to open the Grandel Square Center for Urban Agriculture . Located in the heart of the Grand Arts District, the Center will explore the intersection

Urban Harvest STL receives a grant for the USDA’s Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production Office to open the Grandel Square Center for Urban Agriculture. Located in the heart of the Grand Arts District, the Center will explore the intersection of art and agriculture, while demonstrating low to no cost farming techniques.

Urban Harvest STL expands it educational program to include the 30 week Farmer in Training program, providing a season-long farm training program for individuals interested in agriculture as a career.

Urban Harvest STL expands it educational program to include the 30 week Farmer in Training program, providing a season-long farm training program for individuals interested in agriculture as a career.

Urban Harvest STL founder Mary Ostafi (with Brie the chicken)

Urban Harvest STL founder Mary Ostafi (with Brie the chicken)

 
 

Your support enables healthy, affordable food access to underserved communities, urban agriculture education, biodiversity development in cities, and community programming.