Urban Harvest

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Urban Harvest is a local nonprofit organization in Houston, Texas dedicated to strengthening communities through gardening education. They support a network of inspirational and educational gardens and orchards throughout the greater Houston area which build community health, vitality and pride.

Urban Harvest offers organic gardening classes in subjects ranging from composting to fruit trees. Classes are free for all community and school gardeners, and are open to anyone. To complement the classes, an on-site teaching garden offers hands-on training in organic vegetable and fruit gardening as well as an example of how to design a community garden for the Houston climate.

Urban Harvest supports community gardens in the greater Houston area. They offer classes and consulting to groups starting new gardens, as well as supporting existing gardens through advice, volunteer referrals, networking and other means. These gardens are located at schools, parks, housing projects, religious institutions, in vacant lots, and on private properties. While they all serve as catalysts for bringing people together, some of them focus on growing food for donation, some on education, some on community beautification and participation.

Urban Harvest’s Outdoor Classrooms Program provides hands-on learning in school gardens with an after-school program at area elementary schools. They also assist schools at all levels with the design and construction of new gardens, and provide help in getting started with curriculum.

Urban Harvest runs the Bayou City Farmers’ Market, which offers organic produce and locally-produced foods twice weekly. The market supports local family farms and boosts the local economy.