Harvest season has come to a close at the Eco3 Urban Farm. This summer was the first production season, and it has been a joy to see this under-utilized space evolve into a thriving farm! This year, we focused on community ties, food donations, and education. We are immensely grateful for our dedicated neighbors and partners in Lincoln Park and throughout Duluth for supporting our work. The success of the Farm embodies the vision of a collaborative local food ecosystem. In its first season, the Farm:
- Provided over 750 free seedlings to partner organizations and local individuals and families, including seventy-five portable gardens through the Garden in a Bucket program.
- Sustainably grew and donated over 2600 lbs of fresh produce to community members, local food shelves, and farmers’ markets.
- Organized fifteen free educational workshops, hosted over 800 visitors on the Farm, and expanded the growing skills of over 350 volunteers.
- Hosted nine AmeriCorps Summer Associates who learned sustainable farming, contributed to events, and worked enthusiastically to create a functioning, accessible, and community-driven farm.
- Shared growing space with four partner organizations, and provided field space to community members who grew their farming skills through our Opportunity Garden program.
Check out what community members had to say:
I am so grateful for Ecolibrium3 Urban Farm. I have learned a great deal from the farmers and guest teachers and have enjoyed the bountiful harvest. What an amazing GIFT!
I like playing and picking veggies!
I have gotten so much delicious produce from the Farm! The staff is always happy to see visitors. It makes me so glad to visit.
I learned a lot in a fun way!
This incredible season of growth and learning would not have been possible without the hard work of our VISTA members, especially Molly and Nora. They shaped the Farm into a welcoming space full of healthy plants and happy visitors. Nora planned and led many educational events at the Farm, including Farm to School, Saturdays at the Farm, and partner visits. Molly has spent over a year at the Eco3 Urban Farm. She oversaw snow removal during the snowiest winter in Duluth history, and she was instrumental to the first year of production, setting up systems and procedures to bring the Farm from seed selection to final harvest each season. Both Nora and Molly have ended their VISTA service, but their impact on the Farm will be felt for years. Thank you both for all your work! We are also grateful to funding provided by the USDA, Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation, Essentia Health, and AARP.
