Griffin Cares | Urban Roots

The Griffin Cares Community Partnership team made their way to a local urban farm called Urban Roots. Urban Roots is a 501(c)3 located in the Madison/Hall neighborhood. It is a relatively newer community organization but they have been working hard to foster closer relationships with the residents and neighbors of the 49507 area that faces adversity regarding food access, resources and community education. Urban Roots also has collaborations with Bethany Christian Services, KCAD, WMEAC, West Michigan Growers Group and other various community agencies that are focused on helping those that are refugees, under-served populations and those lacking access to health and wellness.

While there, 30+ team members gathered at the site to learn about the workshops and tools available at Urban Roots. It all falls under their “Grow, Eat, Learn” series. Workshops about composting, collecting seeds, germinating and irrigation systems are free to the public, with a heavy focus on 49507 residents. There is a mobile classroom available for travel, group service learning opportunities and a paid Youth Corps program that hires refugee youth to learn about urban gardening and they tend to the garden every summer. There is a Community Market inside of Urban Roots that provides half-off produce and local goods to the Madison/Hall neighborhood, while still being open for the public as well. All items in their market are either grown onsite or received from other local makers and growers. 

Last but certainly not least, members planted a variety of garlic. They learned about the composting program where Urban Roots provide buckets and educational brochures, along with support from the staff, to assist 49507 residents with what composting is and how beneficial it is to the environment. With this, it provides community unity and everyone plays a part in helping the plants grow and improving the soil. The members harvested peppers, potatoes, eggplants for the market. Along with that, made a new plot for future garlic planting. Wood chips were distributed to make new walking paths in-between the garden plots. A few months ago, Urban Roots had their bike stolen and the Griffin Properties donation directly assisted the re-instatement of the composting program. A new bike, safety gear for the rider, a hitch and educational information were all possible due to the donation. Members helped lighten the load because Urban Roots rely heavily on volunteers, seeing as how their core staff is a small but mighty group of people doing what they can with what they have.