About us
The Columbia Center for Urban Agriculture seeks to promote and work towards the establishment, development, and maintenance of a functional, efficient and, above all, sustainable local food system in the city of Columbia, Missouri. The center is a local non-profit organization that depends on volunteers, vegetable sales, edible lanscaping clients and the generosity of the public to fulfill its mission.
Vision
The vision of Columbia Center for Urban Agriculture is a healthy and active community with a vibrant local economy.
Mission
The mission of the Columbia Center for Urban Agriculture is to demonstrate the viability of urban food production and commerce, educate the public on production methods, provide support for local foodshed, and advocate for like-policy. Through these efforts CCUA will empower the citizens of Columbia to improve their access to local healthy foods.
Purpose
Columbia Center for Urban Agriculture exists to help facilitate the development of a local food system in all of its many interrelated and complex components. These include but are not limited to compost, gardens, education, markets, commerce, policy, transportation, job creation, and city planning. Many approaches will be used to reach this goal.
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Education is used to
empower and mobilize our community. CCUA works with organizations
that have a desire to learn about and work with local food systems.
- Interships provide students of all ages and backgrounds with the in-depth knowledge of urban agriculture methods and local foodsheds.
- Educational outreach programs with area schools, groups, and agencies exposes people to our vision of a vibrant local food system.
- Tours and workshops will show proven production methods and teach models to replicate.
- Production of food in an urban setting is a critical part of the process of the local food movement. CCUA directly produces and sells food, supports other producers, and works to create markets for this food to be bought and sold.
- Partnerships are formed by the CCUA and other organizations and agencies with similar visions, goals, and missions. This vision is inherently interdisciplinary and multifaceted and requires input from many stakeholders.
- Sustainable development projects that create and manage urban agriculture systems provide significant assets for the community. These sites provide not only tangible, but also educational resources that will educate and demonstrate to community members the skills needed to engage in sustainable agriculture.
- Advocacy for the implementation of legislation policy and measures that would support and aid in the expansion of any and all urban agricultural endeavors and local foodsheds.
For more information about Columbia Center for Urban Agriculture please contact us. We invite you to visit our demonstration garden on the corner of Ash and St. Joseph in downtown Columbia, Missouri. A self-guided tour is always available, if you would like a guided tour please contact us to arrange a time.
