Our Story
Founded in 2009, Urban Roots Garden Classrooms uses gardening as a dynamic vehicle for S.T.E.A.M. education, environmental stewardship, and nutrition. Partnering with the Washoe County School District, Urban Roots has successfully integrated garden-based learning into various subjects, fostering creativity and engagement among students. In just three years, the Urban Roots Teaching Farm emerged in west Reno, transforming an old karaoke bar motel into a vibrant educational farm featuring gardens, bees, pigs, and chickens.
In 2017, a partnership with Renown Hospital solidified Urban Roots' presence at the Urban Teaching Farm located at 1700 E. Second Street. This new space allowed for year-round cultivation of nutrient-dense produce in high tunnels, creating an oasis for outdoor learning. The onset of the pandemic in March 2020 posed challenges, leading to a shift to distance learning and the introduction of the Urban Roots at Home and Indoor Gardening Kit programs, ensuring families could continue their gardening education from home.
In August 2021, Urban Roots expanded its programming to include seed-to-table initiatives for all ages, from preschoolers to seniors. The Dead Plant Society workshop series was launched to assist novice gardeners, while community events at the farm have become a seasonal highlight. Through the Gardening for All program, Urban Roots offers garden design and maintenance services, empowering the community to cultivate their green spaces.