Join the Community
Cultivating Communities, Growing Change: UFI's diverse programming empowers individuals, promotes sustainability, and builds food security.
The Farmer Training Program is a hands-on initiative designed to equip individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to become successful urban farmers.
We provide aspiring farmers and growers with a structured curriculum that covers various aspects of urban agriculture, including sustainable farming practices, soil health, crop planning, pest management, and marketing strategies.
Participants in the program have the opportunity to engage in practical training at UFI's farm in Mattapan, where they learn essential techniques like seed starting, transplanting, and harvesting.
Through a combination of classroom instruction, fieldwork, and mentorship, the Farmer Training Program empowers individuals to launch their own urban farming ventures, contribute to local food production, and foster a resilient and sustainable community.
Farmer Training Program
Fit around the Farm is an innovative program that combines physical fitness and community engagement in the context of urban farming.
FATF is a dynamic 10-week program catering to Boston women aged 65 and above with a focus on women of color.
Join us for four seasonal sessions throughout the year, where fitness instruction is thoughtfully tailored to accommodate participants of all levels.
Explore the mechanics of your body and target muscle groups through invigorating chair yoga classes. Because maintaining nutrition is critical for maintaining healthy bodies at any age, our program includes chef demonstrations that introduce seniors to the art of healthy cooking alongside the importance of overall stretching and movement.
Fit Around the Farm
Men’s Gathering
Boston male seniors ages 65 years plus with a focus on men of color - let's keep the momentum going! This health and lifestyle program is just for you funded by Boston Age Strong. The program is free, featuring fitness, speakers, healthy eating, and more. We want to help you become your best self.
Come join other men from Roxbury, Dorchester, and Mattapan for a dynamic program of tailored fitness and wellness, featuring tai chi, functional fitness, conversation, and an opportunity to connect with one another.
Raised Beds
Growing your own food is more important than ever. Gardening has so many benefits: exercise, time outside, and of course, fresh, tasty food!
We offer raised beds on a sliding scale basis. Our raised beds are 8’ x 4’ x 1’ and they include safe soil, seeds or seedlings (depending on the time of year), and ongoing support.
Eligibility criteria to receive a raised bed are:
Recipients have permission to place a raised bed on the property
Recipients home address is in the following neighborhoods: Roxbury, Dorchester, Mattapan.
For monthly workshops about all things growing, please attend our Grow Series (see calendar of events).
If you live outside of the neighborhoods where we install raised beds, consider growing food at your neighborhood community garden. Often plots are larger than raised beds. View this directory here. We created a map of the community gardens located in Mattapan, Roxbury, and Dorchester that offer individual garden plots: view it here.
Please review our growing guide here.
Youth Education
Our regular youth programs at the Urban Farming Institute will be undergoing a fallow period for the summer 2024 season!
We appreciate your understanding while we embark on this period of rejuvenation and look forward to bringing you even better opportunities in the future.
Amidst this pause, we're thrilled to announce that we will be hosting a small cohort of youth on the farm this summer in, The Garden, a program tailored for highly dedicated individuals ages 14 and up want to learn more about social justice, equity, and sustainable urban agriculture. It's an opportunity for them to immerse themselves in hands-on learning, community engagement, and leadership development, while contributing to a meaningful movement towards a more sustainable future. Click here for more information and how to apply.