Our Mission

Create a Platform for Discovery!

The Urban Farming Institute (UFI) leads our community in hands-on educational programs in agroecology, nutrition, science and environmental stewardship in South Florida. We create community gardens on underutilized land, build gardens in schools, teach hydroponics, aquaponics and regenerative gardening.

The Urban Farming Institute empowers the community with valuable skills in sustainability and resilience to bring the sciences to life!

Our Story

The Urban Farming Institute is more than just an urban farm, we serve individuals and families from all over South Florida. As a registered 501(c)(3) tax exempt, non-profit organization we predominately serve a diverse community and tailor programs to educate individuals of all ages.

It’s a place where volunteers, students, gardeners, farmers, and a flock of other incredible people band together to germinate, swap ideas and trade dirt (tips and tricks), harvest, and most of all, build. And has been for more than 10 years.

We are building a culture in South Florida all about cultivating and teaching others how to grow healthy, delicious foods. We teach free classes every Saturday morning to our community gardeners, families, and anyone who wants to learn more about gardening, healthy eating, and the local environment.

The Institute serves as a regional education, demonstration, and resource center for educators, health practitioners, gardeners, farmers, and producers interested in growing food in an urban setting.

Under the sun-kissed coconut palms of South Florida, the Urban Farming Institute lovingly nurtures and provides their community and schools, 7 days a week, with seeds from organically-fed vegetables, fruits, and herbs, garden and farm supplies for both traditional and hydroponic techniques and everything else needed to dress a garden or indoor horticultural habitat.

Accomplishments

• One of the largest agricultural facilities in Broward County.

• A preceptor site for the Nova Southeastern University Registered Dietician Nutritionist Graduate Level Programming.

• Built over 90 gardens in Broward County, including hydroponics and raised garden beds.

• Built a research marine lab for various research projects ranging from red tide, algae nutrition studies, and other graduate level studies.

• 75 community garden beds available in partnership with the City of Oakland Park.