Why I'm Running for Urban Roots
I'm running the Twin Cities 10 mile race on October 6 to support Urban Roots!
Not only does this run help motivate me to stick with my exercise goals, but I'm also hoping to raise funds for a cause that I believe makes the Twin Cities a great place to live! Urban Roots benefits the Twin Cities by providing paid internship opportunities to local youth and through its programs which focus on preserving our environment and promoting fresh, healthy food.
Description
Urban Roots is a Saint Paul organization that cultivates and empowers youth through nature, healthy food, and community.
We provide paid internships to youth on the East Side of Saint Paul. Youth interns develop leadership, entrepreneurial, and life skills through our Market Garden, Conservation, and Cook Fresh Programs. Each year, up to 90 youth interns, ages 14-24, participate in our progressive, tiered programming, connecting to one another and the world around them.
Programs
Conservation
Conservation interns install and maintain local rain and pollinator gardens, restore public lands, and engage in citizen science projects. Last year, Conservation worked in 11 parks, collected 98 species of native seeds, planted 3,231 plants, and harvested 70 pounds of honey from the Urban Roots beehives.
Cook Fresh
Cook Fresh interns learn valuable skills in food preparation, safety, and planning. Interns also explore nutrition, food careers (hospitality, food policy, food media, entrepreneurship, etc.), and the cultural importance of food. Last year, Cook Fresh served 1,000 meals.
Market Garden
Market Garden interns participate in small-scale crop production at our urban gardens. The produce that's grown goes to the Cook Fresh program to be made into shared meals for interns across all three programs. Produce also goes to farmers markets and is distributed to community hunger relief efforts. Last year, Market Garden donated 2,300 pounds of produce.
The top two fundraisers on our team (excluding staff and their spouses) will receive prizes including Urban Roots swag, a voucher for our farmers market, a cookbook, and selected items generously donated by Lakewinds Food Co-op, Leitner's Garden Center, Mississippi Market Co-op, Mississippi Park Connection, Patagonia St. Paul, and Three Rivers Parks District.
Team Urban Roots would like to thank Trader Joe's St. Paul for donating refreshments for our Aug 27 group training run that was graciously served by the Gateway Brown's Creek Trail Association. Thank you also to Sweet Science Ice Cream for donating ice cream for our runners to enjoy at the end of the race!
Learn more in this video by the USDA Risk Management Agency:
Urban Roots
1110 Payne Avenue
Saint Paul, MN 55130
651-228-7073
info@UrbanRootsMN.org
Website | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn
Recent donors
Donation date | Donor name | Donation amount |
---|---|---|
May 28 | Anonymous | $50.00 |
May 28 | Gregg and Laurie Johnson | $50.00 |