Farmers’ market educates and inspires Austin youth

Story by Carizma Barrera • Campus Reporter

Photos by Jon Shapley • Video Editor and Melissa Skorpil • Staff Photojournalist

Some misconceptions about the average college student are that they eat fast food daily, drink beer like it’s coffee and are the world’s greatest procrastinators. Although some truth can be found

in those statements, college students of the 21st century are breaking stereotypes left and right.

Students are now choosing healthy options over snacks and sweets, drinking the minimum daily intake of water and getting homework and projects out of the way early to focus on contributing to the greater good of the community. Urban Roots, an independent non-profit farm, gives current, as well as future students at ACC the opportunity to gain life skills in leadership, responsibility and sustainable living.

Started in 2008 by Max Elliot and Mike Evans, Urban Roots is a human development work program in conjunction with farming. Urban Roots originally was an extension to Youth Launch, but in 2011 branched out as its own program. The program focuses primarily on farming, sustainability and nutrition. Urban Roots has few adults and at least 30 youth volunteers at any given time. The student volunteers, who are from schools all around Austin, can return year after year to sell and donate produce.

The farm is located in northeast Austin, and yields zucchini, carrots, radishes, cabbage and much more to be sold at the Sustainable Food Center (SFC) downtown farmers market from October-December and from April-August. Student volunteers also donate what they harvest to Meals- On-Wheels, food pantries and local soup kitchens.

Leigh Gaymon-Jones, the director of operations at Urban Roots, says, “It’s exciting to see young people blossom, to see their confidence and leadership come to life. The program sparks an interest most youth didn’t know they had, it’s their niche.”

Gaymon-Jones also states that a positive aspect of the program is that youth volunteers are able to connect with other youth, these connections might not have happened if not for Urban Roots. Some positive outcomes include student volunteers that have gone on to attend the Natural Epicurean Cooking School, as well as earn degrees in Agriculture and sustainability.

One of the many student volunteers who return year after year is Zacil Castellanos. She is a 15 year old at the Keep Austin Collegiate High School, and she is currently in her second year of volunteer work. She learned about Urban Roots when Leigh had visited and it immediately sparked her interest.

The program has changed not only Castellanos eating habits but her family’s as well. They now make weekly trips to the farmers markets. Castellanos says “I absolutely love this program. I will definitely continue to volunteer in the future.”

Two of the current leaders are enrolled at ACC in the early college start program.

Michael Sterling, a senior at East Side Memorial High school said he is planning on finishing his degree at ACC in diagnostic medical sonography.

Shamar Brown is in his third year of leadership at Urban Roots. Shamar attends LBJ for now, but his college plans include attending ACC and then transferring to Baylor or Texas State. Brown learned about Urban Roots from Communities in School (CIS) which he also volunteers with.

“Urban Roots has changed a lot about me, it has made me conscious of my eating habits and improved my leadership skills,” Shamar said. “Every weekend when I get the fresh vegetables, I take them to my grandmother and she makes a big feast.” Students can take advantage of the freshest produce at the most affordable prices. There are also many opportunities for students to volunteer in community outreach programs that focus on healthy living as well as sustainable living.