The Urban Farm
Programs
Program 1 [2018]
The Urban Farm (TUF) is a unique working farm in the city that offers impactful youth development activities and an engaging educational venue for visitors. In cooperation with the City and County of Denver, TUF inspires excitement for learning through practical and fun experiences in a farm setting and encourages the development of character strengths that are critical to success in life. Our vision is to empower youth with a spirit of creativity, independence, hard work, and compassion. Youth learn about animals, plants, and the environment while discovering their own strengths and interests. We house horses, poultry, cattle, sheep, and goats (over 100 animals), as well as gardens, the Gompers Greenhouse, and the Mike Nelson Weather Station (in progress) and provide an important educational visitor attraction to the Northeast Denver area. While there are other organizations that focus on gardening, animal husbandry, or equine education, TUF is unique in offering them all on one site to create a learning environment that can engage a diversity of young people, especially those who have difficulty finding a home for their interests in a traditional school setting. Completing farm chores, caring for an animal or nurturing plants are wonderful ways of learning about our larger world and our responsibilities to it, as well as developing character strengths necessary for success in life. Our programs offer a unique opportunity for city-based youth to experience a working farm and we ensure that our programs are accessible to children from low-income backgrounds by offering free and reduced-fee programs as well as individual scholarships. Through all TUF programs offered in 2018, we served almost 4,000 youth and 1,000 adults and an additional 2,100 people visited the farm under general admission for self-guided toursin totalTUF served 7509 youth and 4710 adults. Farm to School Program: Students participate in field trips that provide an introduction to the farm through guided tours led by volunteers who follow carefully crafted field trip curriculum materials. Our Farm to School Program also includes experiential learning programs for urban middle and high school students. In 2018, 2,100 youth and 618 adults participated in 71 field trips at TUF. Of the youth who participated, 674 were reduced fee or free.Summer Discovery: We offer a variety of camps and classes throughout the summer. Youth participate in equine, animal husbandry, urban agriculture, and horticulture tracks. We served 282 children through 26 camps in 2018 (12 Equine, 1 GoWild 100% scholarship Equine camp, 7 Urban Agriculture and Ranch, and 6 Storybook Farm.)Cultivating Change in Youth(CY): HYPE Partnership: Our partnership with Denver Public Safety Juvenile Services resulted in a diversion project for youth involved in the justice system who are working to return to high school, employment, and/or their community. Youth visit the farm weekly and TUF provides learning opportunities using outdoor, animal-based interactions to build communication, team work, and leadership skills. The purposes are to provide youth with an opportunity to complete required community service or obtain credit while working toward a GED. The ultimate goal is to help these young adults successfully re-engage with education or gainful employment. This program served 84 youth in 2018 through 30 trips to the farm.The TUF Equestrian Program: Participants learn the basics of equestrian activities including horsemanship and animal husbandry and have the opportunity to progress from beginner to advanced levels. Almost 300 youth participated in our horsemanship program in 2018, 21 of whom received scholarships to do so.TUF Kids: TUF Kids is our signature program for developing teen leaders. This program allows teens to learn and practice leadership, citizenship, and life skills. TUF Kids devote volunteer hours, act as ambassadors, and instruct youth programs alongside adult staff. TUF Kids use these experiences to strengthen their employment, college, and scholarship applications. There were 15 TUF Kids in 2018.GoWild All Around the Farm: Through a partnership with Aurora Public Schools, TUF travels to Aurora Compass to provide after-school and summer programs for students that include animal interaction and group activities that teach youth about horticulture and animal husbandry and emphasize our character strengths. We served 104 youth in 2018 with 24 visits that were entirely free of charge. A second partnership with multiple Boys & Girls clubs brought 259 club youth to the farm for this same programming through 26 visits and, again, this program was free.GoWild One Day Horsemanship: This program brought 80 kids to the farm in 2018, all on scholarship, to participate in a one-day horsemanship education program through which children who have never experienced horses learn about horse safety and care, basic information about horse breeds, and enjoy a riding experience.4H Programs: The Urban Farm has one of the largest 4H Programs on the Front Range and is unique in allowing participants to use animals that live at the farm (so they may participate even if they dont own animals themselves). 44 families currently participate in 4H through TUF.GeographiesNot indicatedDatesJan 1, 2018 – Dec 31, 2018Source990No causes providedNo populations provided–$393.8KUrban Farm Community Engagement
Program Service Accomplishments 2021The Urban Farm (TUF) is a community farm and educational center, which provides the opportunity for urban residents to participate in agriculture by removing the barriers to entry such as land access, time, location and finances. TUF inspires excitement for learning through practical work experience and hands-on education while fostering respect, responsibility, curiosity, compassion and grit. Farm-to-School: Pre-K-12 students enjoy field trips on the farm, curriculum is aligned with education standards in natural & social sciences. Through hands-on activities, participants learn about agriculture, livestock, food systems & horticulture. In 2021 TUF served over 3,000 through in-person field trips and over 500 youth through virtual programming to accommodate pandemic conditions. Food Donations Over 14,000 lbs of farm fresh vegetables, meat, and eggs raised at TUF with were donated to local food pantries and free markets. Summer Discovery: Over 525 children attended TUFs camps in 2021 over 12 weeks camps for young farmers & horseback riders were offered, where Youth ages 4-16 learn how to care for animals, cultivate crops & be stewards of the land. Equestrian Program: Over 80 youth (8-18) learn horsemanship skills from beginner to advanced through our year-round riding program. Riders can compete as a team in the Interscholastic Equestrian Association & TUFs shows, removing barriers to a sport typically limited to those who can afford to lease or own a horse. Cultivating Change in Youth: TUF and Denver Juvenile Services- Helping Youth Pursue Excellence have been working in collaboration since 2015 to provide hands-on character development and vocational training for youth involved in the juvenile justice system. Since 2020 TUF has provided earn-while-you-learn opportunities on the farm, to over 100 youth. In addition, all youth are provided with 2 meals per day and grocery boxes. TUF Kids: Teens develop their leadership, citizenship, and life skills. TUF Kids devote volunteer hours, act as farm ambassadors & assist with program instruction. GoWild Programs: Through a partnership with GOCO, TUF provides on and off-site programming to youth in Northeast Metro Denver and Aurora free of charge. Offerings include field trips, camps, riding lessons & paid internships. In 2021, TUF offered off-site programming to over 2360 youth. Livestock Clubs & Classes: TUF has one of the largest 4 H programs on the Front Range and is unique in allowing participants to utilize animals that live at the farm. Youth learn how to raise, breed and show livestock. 172 youth are enrolled in poultry, sheep & goats clubs and programs.GeographiesNot indicatedDatesJan 1, 2021 – Dec 31, 2021Source990No causes providedNo populations provided–$645.1KProgram 1 [2024]
The Urban Farm, (TUF) provides an opportunity for urban youth to engage and participate in local and agricultural systems and farming by removing barriers to participation such as access to land, location and cost. TUF delivers experiential programs in animal husbandry; organic gardening; environmental education; land conservation and horses. The goal of TUFs programs is to provide practical and behavioral life skills for young adults. Our aspiration is to foster compassion and resilience in urban youth and inspire them to build sustainable, healthy, equitable communities.TUF serves Denver metro-area residents through year-round programming, signature events and general admission, all strengthened by our partnerships with local governments and with like-minded nonprofits.Farm-To-School: Pre-K-12 students enjoy field trips to the farm. Curriculum is aligned with educational standards in natural and social sciences. Through hands-on activities, students learn about agriculture, livestock, food systems and horticulture. In 2023 TUF served 19,230 students through field trips.TUF grows 13,000 lbs of healthy produce each year that is then donated back in the community, specifically to lower income households who may have barriers to healthy produce.All Around the Farm- Summer CampIn 2023 TUF served more than 780 children through our summer camp. TUF served an additional 120 kids through the Summer Equine Camp. In both camps, youth learn how to care for animals, cultivate crops and become stewards of the land.TUF removes barriers to the sport which is typically limited to those who can afford to lease or buy a horse.Cultivating Change in YouthTUF and Denver Juvenile Services host a collaborative program for at risk and justice involved kids. Since the inception of the program, more than 320 youth have successfully completed the program. TUF provides earn-while-you-learn opportunities to youth as they learn about horticulture and food systems, animal husbandry and animal care and environmental conservation.Livestock Clubs and ClassesTUF is the only 4-H Club in Denver and one of only a few on the Front Range. TUF holds clubs and classes that allow participants to utilize animals that live at the farm. Youth learn how to raise, breed and show livestock. TUFs livestock classes sell out every year.GeographiesNot indicatedDatesJan 1, 2024 – Dec 31, 2024Source990No causes providedNo populations provided–$1.3M
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