The founder of a St. Louis nonprofit that promotes urban farming is preparing for another growing season 鈥� but, for the first time in the group鈥檚 history, it is doing so without its beloved community farm.
鈥淚t was a learning lesson,鈥� said Nick Speed, founder of . Created in 2018, the north St. Louis-based group maintains urban farms in the city鈥檚 Fairgrounds and Hyde Park neighborhoods.
But Ujima won鈥檛 be planting in its community garden. In August, the group was evicted from the Clay Community Education Center where the garden was located.
The eviction was triggered by a break-in that damaged the school property. Although Ujima wasn鈥檛 involved in the incident, it prompted St. Louis Public Schools off the grounds of the former school 鈥� Ujima among them.
Speed said the loss was followed by an outpouring of community support, including nearly $3,000 in donations.
鈥淭he community showed up in a very big way,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e had over 50 volunteers show up [to help us move] over the course of three weeks.鈥�
On Tuesday鈥檚 St. Louis on the Air, Speed discussed preparations Ujima is making for the coming growing season, how the nonprofit is adjusting to losing its community garden and how the group works to distribute its produce through community groups and food markets. Joining Speed was DeZha Smith, an alumna of .
To hear the full conversation with Nick Speed and DeZha Smith, including details for how teens can get involved in urban farming through the Sunshine Institute, listen to St. Louis on the Air on , , or , or click the play button below.
鈥�鈥� brings you the stories of St. Louis and the people who live, work and create in our region. The show is produced by , , , and . Jada Jones is our production assistant. The audio engineer is . Send questions and comments about this story to talk@stlpr.org.
