The Urban Farm

A nonprofit organization

$61,989 raised by 393 donors

69% complete

$90,000 Goal

Join us in making a lasting impact at The Urban Farm! Your donation helps us expand educational and vocational programs, grow our food justice efforts, and enhance animal care initiatives. Every dollar brings us closer to our 2024 Colorado Gives Day $25,000 goal, allowing us to serve more kids, support local communities, and create a greener, healthier future for all. Early giving starts November 1st—donate today and be part of the change!

Mission

The Urban Farm (TUF) strives to provides the opportunity for urban youth to engage and participate in local food and agricultural systems by removing the barriers to entry such as land access, time, location and finances. TUF delivers experiential programs in animal husbandry, organic gardening, environmental education, and food security that provide practical and behavioral life skills for youth and young adults. Our aspiration is to foster compassion and resilience in people and inspire them to build sustainable, healthy, and equitable communities.

Background Statement

The Urban Farm began in 1995 with a primary focus of equine education, TUF has expanded its programming to include a three-track curriculum including horticulture, animal husbandry, and equine education. The farm hosts over 125 animals including horses, goats, poultry, and sheep, as well as an indoor riding arena, a community garden, greenhouse, market garden, and Freight Farm. TUF provides a truly unique opportunity for the urban community to engage in agriculture without ever leaving the city.

TUF offers a wide range of farm-related programs and activities including field trips, service learning, internships, summer camps, TUF Kids leadership program, a vocational-skills program in partnership with the Denver Department of Public Safety, an extensive horsemanship program, and a vibrant 4H club. On any day of the week, you can find a school group touring the chicken coop, a family working together to clean a stall, or an intern measuring the pH of the water in the greenhouse.

TUF is located on what was previously an industrial space. We are actively reclaiming what had become unused urban land and transforming it into a vibrant ecosystem, fostering healthy, local food which nourishes the same communities it is nurtured by. By establishing urban green space, TUF is tackling monumental issues including environmental degradation, resource scarcity, public health, food access, and more.

____________

Testimonials

"Our children LOVE the FARM! They've participated in fall and summer programs. The TUF Summer Camp was their highlight of the year. They are comfortable with animals and better understand their place in the world and how important it is to take care of our earth, our animals, and each other. They are in nature and so happy at TUF." - Scholarship Recipient & TUF Member

"Thank you for giving my child such a wonderful learning experience this Summer. This opportunity has been incredible for her personal growth! She looks forward to continuing this Fall and throughout High School." - TUF Kid Parent

"I brought my classroom here for a field trip and I fell in love. My daughter (7) was gifted a horse camp this summer. She was scared of farm animals, especially Horses but wanted to overcome that fear. She ended the camp loving horses and everything about the farm. She can now tell us everything she learned and will tell us how close we are to the farm as we are driving by." - Teacher & Parent

"Thank you so much! I really want to thank you for agreeing to take [my daughter] on as a volunteer this summer. Whenever people ask her what she's been doing over break, her work there is always the first thing she mentions. She adores everything about it, and is proud to be volunteering on a regular basis." - TUF Kid Parent

"My daughter LOVES, LOVES, and LOVES being at the farm. It is the happiest I have seen her in a long time." - Parent of a Livestock Club Participant

We had a great time with the horses. They were close enough for the children to pet them and really interact. It was nice that the chicken, goat, and sheep pens were opened up for the children to have close interactions with the animals. This was a great first field trip of the year. Thank you so much! - DPS Teacher

"Our families truly appreciated the locally raised meat you donated earlier this year. Many of our families from Africa were so excited to get goat and our Latino and Middle Eastern families enjoyed the lamb." - Food Pantry Volunteer

"The meat, eggs, and vegetables from the Urban Farm was a true gift to our families." - Food Pantry Coordinator

"I feel really happy at The Urban Farm and appreciate the chance to be a part of something really great. They help you with financial education, they help you better your work skills, they help you with everyday struggles, and they help you mentally. This program is a real life-saver. I would suggest this program a thousand times for those in need of help with financial aid, work opportunities, and trying to get your life together" - Cultivating Change in Youth Program Participant, in Partnership with DJYS

Organization Data

Summary

Organization name

The Urban Farm

other names

TUF

Year Established

1995

Tax id (EIN)

84-1304443

Category

Food, Agriculture & Nutrition

Organization Size

Large Organization

Address

10200 Smith Road
Denver, CO 80239

Service areas

Denver County, CO, US

Phone

303-307-9332

Social Media