Our Creation Story
The Urban Farming Institute is more than just an urban farm, market warehouse, resource center, and community garden. It’s a registered 501C (3) tax exempt, non-profit organization.
It’s a place where Jon, volunteers, students, gardeners, farmers, and a flock of other incredible people banding together to germinate, swap ideas and trade dirt (tips and tricks), harvest, and most of all, build. And has been for more than 10 years.
They are building a culture in South Florida. A culture of learning. Teaching others to grow healthy, delicious foods. Food you’re not going to find in big brand stores. We call it the ‘Soul Garden’.
The Institute serves as a regional education, demonstration, and resource center for educators, health practitioners, gardeners, farmers, and producers interested in growing food in an urban setting.
Yet, under the sun-kissed coconut palms of South Florida, the Urban Farming Institute, UFI, as we call it, lovingly nurtures and provides their community and schools, 7 days a week, with seeds from organically-fed veggies, fruits, and herbs, garden and farm supplies for both traditional and hydroponic techniques and everything else needed to dress a garden or indoor horticultural habitat.
The UFI is also a place to come to get away from your cell phone, your computer, your desk and experience the simplicity of rural living in an urban setting–even if it is just for an afternoon.
UFI’s instruction and guidance for both the urban farmer and Gardens for Schools embody their commitment – long before it was commonplace – to sustainability and harmony of nature and urban health. Even now, Jon, and their local neo-agriculturists get their hands ‘dirty’ sowing a wealth of delicate leafy greens, veggies of all varieties, and also rare and sought after heirlooms.
