Learn & Grow By Volunteering
Growing Hope with Urban Ventures in Minneapolis
About Urban Ventures Farm
Urban Ventures Farm is a nonprofit urban farm in South Minneapolis that cultivates more than just produce—it cultivates leaders. Situated on a 1.5‑acre garden along the Midtown Greenway (with an additional 5 acres in Lakeville), its mission is clear: to nurture a diverse group of young leaders through the meaningful work of growing and eating nutritious food urbanventures.org+7urbanventures.org+7instagram.com+7.
The Farm serves:
Youth and families in neighborhoods experiencing food insecurity—through hands-on farming, cooking classes, and farm-stand market access.
Local community members with fresh, healthy produce at a “pay‑as‑you’re‑able” farm stand urbanventures.org.
Schools and educators, offering field trips and “Kids Farmers Market” experiences for elementary students urbanventures.org.
My Volunteer Experience
Harvest & Market Prep
Volunteering at Urban Ventures Farm gave me the chance to harvest vibrant beets, cilantro, radishes, and kale. I hand‑picked each crop—then washed them thoroughly to ensure they were ready for the farm stand, where community members select produce at a price they can afford. It felt rewarding to support both nutrition and accessibility in one action. I was exhausted as I biked home on the Greenway!
Infrastructure Support
I also helped install new metal spikes to secure row‑cover plastic over planting beds in the greenhouse. These row covers play a vital role—keeping weeds at bay. Anchoring the plastic in place was a small but essential contribution to safeguarding the season’s future harvest.
Why It Matters
Empowerment through agriculture: Volunteering provides real-world skills—from harvesting to market prep to farm upkeep.
Building food equity: Your efforts help deliver fresh produce to families in neighborhoods where healthy food isn't always within reach.
Growing community connection: Volunteering fosters relationships—with the young farmers, staff, and fellow volunteers—rooted in shared purpose.
Final Thoughts
Urban Ventures Farm isn’t merely an urban garden—it’s a catalyst for leadership development, equitable food access, and community resilience. My time there—harvesting crops, preparing them for market, and helping maintain the farm’s infrastructure—showed me that impactful change grows from both big visions and hands-on work.
If you're looking for a meaningful way to serve—and grow personally and communally—consider volunteering at Urban Ventures Farm. You’ll gain more than fresh produce; you’ll help nurture a healthier, stronger Minneapolis.
Volunteer Opportunities
Urban Ventures Farm typically runs farm-stand hours every Tuesday & Thursday, offers field trips, and welcomes both individual and group volunteers urbanventures.org. To get started, check their volunteer page or reach out directly through the site.
