On March 31, we celebrate #CesarChavezDay and honor the birthday, life, and legacy of civil rights and farm-labor leader, Cesar Estrada Chavez. This day is the nucleus for #FarmworkerAwarenessWeek, as Chavez co-founded the National Farm Workers Association (now United Farm Workers of America) in 1962 to strive for farmworker welfare and establish a lasting farmworkers union. Programs forged by the NFWA included a burial program, the first credit union for farm workers, health clinics, daycare centers, job-training programs and affordable housing for farmworkers [source: CesarChavezFoundation.org]. These programs are incredibly important considering the extreme physical demands of farm labor, historic inequity in pay and benefits, and the exploitation of migrant workers, among other factors. Activist Dolores Huerta (April 10, 1930) – also a Latine changemaker born in the West in a farming family – co-founded the NFWA with Chavez. As the leading lobbyist, legislative activist, and spokesperson for the organization, Huerta influenced policy and presidents throughout her career, moving the shovel (far more powerful than the needle) for farm laborers and gaining visibility and representation especially for women in the field and beyond. Huerta also gave us the empowering declaration, “¡SÍ se puede!” (“Yes, we can!”). [sources: @doloreshuertafd and @womenshistory websites] As we enter a new growing season and spring beckons all things green, it’s a great time to reflect on the immense contributions of Chavez and Huerta. If you don’t already have a practice of gratitude for the farmworkers on whom we rely for essential daily nutrition, we invite you to start today. Next time you’re holding a piece of fruit or grabbing groceries, think of the many individuals who cared for, worked, and traversed the land to make that possible. 📸 : 1. Richard Avendon, "Cesar Chavez and Company, Dolores Huerta, United Farm Workers," Keene, California, June 27, 1976 / courtesy of @avedonfoundation, #richardavedon 2. Cesar Chavez, @chavezfoundation 3. Dolores Huerta, @doloreshuertafd

🔔Application period to our two open positions close April 7! 🔔⁠ ⁠ Do you want to get into the soil and enjoy the outdoors (rain or shine), create growing relationships with young leaders and become more involved with your community? ⁠ ⁠ Our Summer Crew Lead is a seasonal position which supports our summer farm program for high school youth. The role is based around them through activities on the farm with the Programs Manager and Program Coordinator.⁠ ⁠ Our Youth Programs Coordinator is a full-time role who would be responsible for our youth leadership program for young adults (17 - 23). This position is built around leading the youth through the program, and prepping and facilitating with the program and farm teams. ⁠ ⁠ Apply today or share widely with farm- and community-minded folks!

It’s #FarmworkerAwarenessWeek everyone! As an organization with our roots in farming, it’s important to us to recognize and share. Farmers, ranchers, and farmworkers are the human heart of our food system. They work through all types of weather, and their care is behind the growth and harvest of the produce we all rely on to survive. ⁠ ⁠ Don’t overlook the rest of the agricultural supply chain either 👀. Less than 1% of food consumed in Austin is produced locally, according to the Office of Sustainability’s “State of the Food System” report. That means food production workers ensure the food brought to Austin is safe for transport, and truck drivers ensure it gets to grocery stores or processing facilities while it’s still fresh.⁠ ⁠ Many hands go into the food system and keeping folks fed. We’re deeply grateful for this labor and celebrate farmworkers, this week and always. ⁠ ⁠ Keep an eye on our stories! We will be sharing resources from organizations who are working to make conditions for farmworkers better and more equitable.⁠

🌱 It’s #FarmFactFriday and spring is in the air (and the soil)! Here are the greens we’ve been planting on the farm lately:⁠ ⁠ 🥦We’re growing broccoli (Melody and Green Magic), cauliflower (Amazing), purple napa cabbage (Minuet and Monet), green nappa cabbage (Primo Vantage), bok choy (Mei Qing, Bopak), lettuce (Green Forest/Coastal Star, New Red Fire), kohlrabi (Kolibri), mustard greens (Green Wave), collards (Flash), spinach (Kolibri), and arugula (Astro). Green-licious! ⁠ ⁠ 👨🏼‍🌾 Our farm team has been thriving and striving on their journey to expand the crop variety we grow. This is good for crop diversity and learning what is resilient to different issues our crops may face, such as abnormal heat or certain pests. It also allows us to learn what varieties are best suited for the land we work with.

👏 Congratulations are due to Sydney Corbin, our Community Engagement Program Manager and Pili Gyasi, our Programs Coordinator, for taking on roles in the City of Austin’s Food Plan process! They’re sharing their passion and knowledge – acting as liaisons for the community – Sydney as a Community Advisory Committee member, and Pili as a Food Ambassador. ⁠ ⁠ This Food Plan will act as the City of Austin’s and Travis County’s blueprint for the future, for building a food system that is sustainable and resilient while also being food equitable and food just. Learn more about it by following the link in our bio!

Urban growers and horticulture hobbyists, step right up! If you're looking to get your hands in the soil and grow your horticulture knowledge, join our Community Ambassador crew, starting March 15 ⏰​!. Ambassadors are a dedicated team of volunteers who assist our farm team and lead volunteers through the season. You’ll learn directly from our team while taking home the fruits (and vegetables) of your labor!. No experience required, but Ambassadors must be able to commit to being on the farm Wednesdays, 8 a.m. to noon, March 15 - June 6. Reach out to our Volunteer Manager at volunteer@urbanrootsatx.org with questions or interest today!

Our heart skipped a beet! Thank you to everyone who supported us in #AmplifyAustin 2023. With funds from 77 sweet-pea donors in the Urban Roots pod, we raised $21,439! This will help us continue sharing produce with our neighbors, grown together with youth leading volunteers.

We couldn’t do what we do without the support of our community, volunteers, partners and donors. We’d like to thank one of our funding partners, @texasmethodistfoundation, who awarded $16,150 last year towards program development and 30,000 lbs of produce, allowing us to dedicate that food to our community.

It’s beginning to look a lot like #AmplifyAustin! This 24-hour period of giving is an opportunity to show love to local nonprofits you really carrot-bout 💚 by ^amplifying^ them on social media and helping other folks find out about them and/or by making a donation of any size. We’ve even included an “I’m Supporting Urban Roots” badge you can share in your stories with just a couple of taps! Amplify Austin runs from March 1 at 6 p.m. to March 2 at 6 p.m. (but early donations are accepted!). Plant your seeds of community love today, by following the linkin.bio.