notable EDIBLES
New Digs by DARBY KENDALL / photography by URBAN ROOTS AND BONNIE & LAUREN PHOTOGRAPHY
I
t’s becoming increasingly rare to find undeveloped land for
“We want to be thoughtful coming in as a new neighbor, so
lease in Austin, so when Max Elliott found a city-owned plot
we're going to create a youth-led community engagement
not yet claimed, he jumped at the chance to use the land in a
process where young people will get the chance to understand
way that would benefit the surrounding community. Elliott, executive director of local nonprofit Urban Roots, was supported in pursuing the land for the nonprofit by Austin City
the strengths and assets in that neighborhood, listen to the community and see where there are opportunities for Urban Roots to collaborate with existing organizations,” Elliott says.
Council members Delia Garza and Kathie Tovo. Last winter, after
When envisioning the future of the site, Elliott hopes it will
debating for years what to do with the plot, City Council unani-
become a communal hub for the Urban Roots youth, volunteers
mously approved a long-term lease for Urban Roots to use the site
and Austinites who simply want to learn more about food and
as a second farm.
farming. “We'd like for this to be a model for other cities, to really
The addition of the nine-acre tract provides an exciting possibility for the evolution of the farm-based youth leadership organization. Their current property along Boggy Creek is nearly a third
demonstrate sustainability and create a welcoming and inclusive space for people to really connect with where their food comes from,” he says.
smaller and located in a floodplain. “It's really exciting to live
For now, Urban Roots youth will work with the folks in Dove
in a city that is investing in urban agriculture,” Elliott says. “We
Springs to plan the best possible site for the community, while
take this opportunity that the city council members have given us
also planting cover crops and building up the soil to prepare the
really seriously.”
3.5 acres reserved for farmland on the site. If you’re interested
Fittingly, the plot used to be pasture land for a dairy in the 1950s, so with this lease there is a return to its agricultural roots. Currently, Urban Roots grows 25,000 pounds of food each year and donates 40 percent of that to local food pantries and soup kitchens. This new site will double that production. The land, located in Dove Springs, is just an empty expanse of field for now — the perfect blank slate on which to build a farm.
10 / EdibleAustin.com
in assisting Urban Roots during this transition period, Elliott has some simple advice: “Visit us on the farm and at the farmers market … You'll get a chance to interact and work alongside Urban Roots youth leaders, and they're the ones that really embody the spirit of our work.” For more information, visit urbanrootsatx.org
