Events
Upcoming Events
Spring Garden Planning Workshop
Are you excited for spring gardening? Join CCUA’s staff for a garden planning workshop! Plan ahead for the best lettuce, carrots, broccoli, and other cool season crops this spring. Learn about square-foot gardening techniques, how to control weeds, and how to prevent common nutrient deficiencies and disease issues before you plant your garden. Ask CCUA staff your garden questions and connect with other gardeners in your community!
Part of the Dig Into Learning Garden Workshop series. Please register here!
Backyard Chicken Care Basics
Did you know that within Columbia city limits, you can keep 6 hens in your yard as long as they’re fenced in? Join CCUA staff for a discussion about caring for chickens in your backyard. Learn about what materials you need before you get chicks, decide what breeds would be best for you, and get advice about bird biosecurity. Become a well-rounded urban farmer in 2026 with a regular supply of delicious and nutritious eggs!
Part of the Dig Into Learning Garden Workshop series. Please register here!
Native Plant Seed Stratification Workshop
Join CCUA for a workshop and learn how to seed your own native plants in easily available containers! Please bring your own clean gallon/half-gallon container made of clear plastic. Seeds & potting mix will be provided! This workshop will take place inside CCUA’s Schoolhouse at Columbia’s Agriculture Park located at 1769 W Ash Street.
2026 Apprenticeship Info Session
Thinking of applying for CCUA’s 2026 Apprenticeship Program? Join us for an open house-style info session! Talk to graduated participants and get your questions answered in a laid back environment, to see if our apprenticeship is a good fit for you! The info session will take place inside CCUA’s Schoolhouse located at Columbia’s Agriculture Park (1769 W Ash St).
Giving Tuesday Barn Party!
Join CCUA in our barn (1769 W Ash St) for warm chili as we kick-off CoMoGives, an annual online fundraiser that supports non-profits in Columbia. All donations made on Giving Tuesday will be MATCHED instantly doubling your impact! From purchasing tools, to funding field trips, your donation makes what we do possible!
Please RSVP here!
"Urban Farmers" ShowMe Series Screening with RagTag
“Urban Farmers” follows the urban agriculture movement in New York City, exploring the farms that are dedicated to maintaining local food systems and the individuals who are eager to support their efforts. Revealing the hidden agricultural history of metropolitan New York, this documentary dispels the myth that urban centers cannot be used to grow food for their own population and draws specific attention to the power of community supported agriculture.
This screening will be followed by a community conversation led by CCUA exploring topics such as local food systems, urban agriculture, and agricultural history.
Veterans Resource Fair
Join CCUA at Columbia’s Agriculture Park under the MU Health Care Pavilion for a Resource Fair featuring 50+ Veteran Service Organizations from areas such as: Health, Recreation, Business, Services, Jobs, and Education. Learn about local resources available to you and connect with other Veterans. Dinner provided, first come first serve!
Pumpkin Smash!
Join CCUA for a FREE pumpkin composting event that is sure to be a smash hit! Don’t let your post-Halloween pumpkins rot on your front porch! Come smash them with us!
CCUA will be in the grassy area next to the ARC (located at 1769 W Ash street) during Columbia Farmers Market from 9am to 12pm with baseball bats, catapults, and other pumpkin smashing tools. Bring your own pumpkin or just come and smash!
We’ll be to your left if you enter the Park at the northeast entrance from Clinkscales!
Drop-in Senior Garden Shift!
Join Columbia Center for Urban Agriculture and Heart of Missouri United Way for “Drop-in Senior Garden Shifts.” Attendees will receive a tour of Columbia’s Agriculture Park and gain hands-on native landscaping experience with CCUA’s staff! No sign-up required!
Meet at the red chicken coop in front of CCUA’s Maintenance Barn.
Questions? Email Volunteer@ColumbiaUrbanAg.org
Drop-in Garden Time
Interested in gardening, but have a busy schedule? Join CCUA for Drop-in Garden Time at Columbia’s Agriculture Park (1769 W Ash St) every Tuesday in the Demo Garden! Our staff hosts flexible drop-in gardening that requires no sign-up or commitment so you can drop by when it fits your schedule! Stay for the whole time or 10 minutes. Get hands-on garden experience and all your garden questions answered. We hope to see you there!
"Farm"acy Market at Truman VA
Free local veggies grown at CCUA’s Veterans Urban Farm by Veterans for Veterans!
Every Thursday CCUA’s Veterans Urban Farm crew hosts a Farmacy Market where we give out fresh, local produce to Veterans at Truman VA Hospital, First Floor Parking Garage. All are welcome!
The Market runs May-November, every Thursday from 10am-12pm
Drop-in Garden Time
Interested in gardening, but have a busy schedule? Join CCUA for Drop-in Garden Time at Columbia’s Agriculture Park (1769 W Ash St) every Tuesday in the Demo Garden! Our staff hosts flexible drop-in gardening that requires no sign-up or commitment so you can drop by when it fits your schedule! Stay for the whole time or 10 minutes. Get hands-on garden experience and all your garden questions answered. We hope to see you there!
"Farm"acy Market at Truman VA
Free local veggies grown at CCUA’s Veterans Urban Farm by Veterans for Veterans!
Every Thursday CCUA’s Veterans Urban Farm crew hosts a Farmacy Market where we give out fresh, local produce to Veterans at Truman VA Hospital, First Floor Parking Garage. All are welcome!
The Market runs May-November, every Thursday from 10am-12pm
Drop-in Garden Time
Interested in gardening, but have a busy schedule? Join CCUA for Drop-in Garden Time at Columbia’s Agriculture Park (1769 W Ash St) every Tuesday in the Demo Garden! Our staff hosts flexible drop-in gardening that requires no sign-up or commitment so you can drop by when it fits your schedule! Stay for the whole time or 10 minutes. Get hands-on garden experience and all your garden questions answered. We hope to see you there!
Buzz Talks: Winter Bees and Beekeepers
Are you interested in beekeeping, but don’t know where to start? Join CCUA for “Buzz Talks!” led by local beekeeper and long-time CCUA volunteer, Jim Thaxter. Buzz Talks is a once a month Bee Club that will meet for an hour long workshop spring through fall. All are welcome, no sign-up required!
Our October meeting will cover Winter Bees and Beekeepers: Surviving the Cold Season. This session will take place at CCUA’s Veterans Urban Farm, located at 1207 Smith St.
Dig Into Learning! Native Landscaping for Garden Pest Control
Learn how to control pests in your garden without spraying pesticides by working with nature! CCUA staff will discuss how to design your native landscaping to work for your garden and attract your natural predators to keep your garden free of the pests that would harm your plants!
Part of the Dig Into Learning Workshop series. Please register here!
"Farm"acy Market at Truman VA
Free local veggies grown at CCUA’s Veterans Urban Farm by Veterans for Veterans!
Every Thursday CCUA’s Veterans Urban Farm crew hosts a Farmacy Market where we give out fresh, local produce to Veterans at Truman VA Hospital, First Floor Parking Garage. All are welcome!
The Market runs May-November, every Thursday from 10am-12pm
Drop-in Garden Time
Interested in gardening, but have a busy schedule? Join CCUA for Drop-in Garden Time at Columbia’s Agriculture Park (1769 W Ash St) every Tuesday in the Demo Garden! Our staff hosts flexible drop-in gardening that requires no sign-up or commitment so you can drop by when it fits your schedule! Stay for the whole time or 10 minutes. Get hands-on garden experience and all your garden questions answered. We hope to see you there!
Food Forest Tours at Columbia's Agriculture Park
Join us on the second Saturday of every month during Columbia Farmers Market at 10:00am for a walking tour of CCUA’s Food Forest! Filled with edible fruit and nut trees, berry bushes, and native Missouri flowers, our staff will guide you so you can taste, smell, touch, and learn to identify what’s growing!
Learn how to foodscape your own backyard or garden space. Tours will cover a broad range of topics such as:
- How to plan out & design your space
- Where to source native trees & plants
- Irrigation management
- Holistic management of pests & disease
- When to harvest
- How to cook & prepare what you grow or any other questions you may have!
Additionally, each tour will highlight a different "featured plant" in our forest that you can specifically learn more about! October’s Tour will highlight “Jujubes and Che Fruit"
Tours are free and open to the community, but please RSVP here!
"Farm"acy Market at Truman VA
Free local veggies grown at CCUA’s Veterans Urban Farm by Veterans for Veterans!
Every Thursday CCUA’s Veterans Urban Farm crew hosts a Farmacy Market where we give out fresh, local produce to Veterans at Truman VA Hospital, First Floor Parking Garage. All are welcome!
The Market runs May-November, every Thursday from 10am-12pm
Drop-in Garden Time
Interested in gardening, but have a busy schedule? Join CCUA for Drop-in Garden Time at Columbia’s Agriculture Park (1769 W Ash St) every Tuesday in the Demo Garden! Our staff hosts flexible drop-in gardening that requires no sign-up or commitment so you can drop by when it fits your schedule! Stay for the whole time or 10 minutes. Get hands-on garden experience and all your garden questions answered. We hope to see you there!
CCUA's Veterans Urban Farm Fall Festival
Join CCUA at our Veterans Urban Farm as we celebrate the end of the growing season, enjoy the crisp fall air, and come together for a night of fun, food, and community! Bring your friends, family, and kiddos – there’s something for everyone!
Enjoy:
Trick-or-Treat Trail
Campfire & S’mores
Live music
Costume Contest
Yard games & kids activities
Raffle prizes and more!
Costumes are encouraged – so don’t be shy, show off your spooky, silly, or creative side!
Big thanks to our amazing sponsors, EquipmentShare and the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association, for helping us make this celebration possible.
NOTE: In case of bad weather the event will be moved to Thursday, October 9th, 4-7pm
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"Farm"acy Market at Truman VA
Free local veggies grown at CCUA’s Veterans Urban Farm by Veterans for Veterans!
Every Thursday CCUA’s Veterans Urban Farm crew hosts a Farmacy Market where we give out fresh, local produce to Veterans at Truman VA Hospital, First Floor Parking Garage. All are welcome!
The Market runs May-November, every Thursday from 10am-12pm
Dig Into Learning! Fruit Tree Basics
Join CCUA for a discussion on the basics of fruit trees! Learn what trees grow best in our Missouri climate for growing in your backyard or garden space. Plan ahead for the healthiest trees and highest quality fruit. Ask CCUA staff your fruit tree questions and discuss with other gardeners in your community.
Part of the Dig Into Learning Workshop series. Please register here!
Drop-in Garden Time
Interested in gardening, but have a busy schedule? Join CCUA for Drop-in Garden Time at Columbia’s Agriculture Park (1769 W Ash St) every Tuesday in the Demo Garden! Our staff hosts flexible drop-in gardening that requires no sign-up or commitment so you can drop by when it fits your schedule! Stay for the whole time or 10 minutes. Get hands-on garden experience and all your garden questions answered. We hope to see you there!
"Farm"acy Market at Truman VA
Free local veggies grown at CCUA’s Veterans Urban Farm by Veterans for Veterans!
Every Thursday CCUA’s Veterans Urban Farm crew hosts a Farmacy Market where we give out fresh, local produce to Veterans at Truman VA Hospital, First Floor Parking Garage. All are welcome!
The Market runs May-November, every Thursday from 10am-12pm
Drop-in Garden Time
Interested in gardening, but have a busy schedule? Join CCUA for Drop-in Garden Time at Columbia’s Agriculture Park (1769 W Ash St) every Tuesday in the Demo Garden! Our staff hosts flexible drop-in gardening that requires no sign-up or commitment so you can drop by when it fits your schedule! Stay for the whole time or 10 minutes. Get hands-on garden experience and all your garden questions answered. We hope to see you there!
16th Annual Harvest Hootenanny
Save the Date! Join us for the 16th Celebration of CCUA's Annual Harvest Hootenanny at Columbia's Agriculture Park. Enjoy live music, a Dance Hall, kids activities, face painting, farm animals, tours of the park, and more all completely free to the public. Purchase tickets to buy a delicious meal prepared by students at Columbia Area Career Center, play carnival games, participate in raffle items, and enjoy local beer, wine, and cider. All proceeds support CCUA’s programming!
"Farm"acy Market at Truman VA
Free local veggies grown at CCUA’s Veterans Urban Farm by Veterans for Veterans!
Every Thursday CCUA’s Veterans Urban Farm crew hosts a Farmacy Market where we give out fresh, local produce to Veterans at Truman VA Hospital, First Floor Parking Garage. All are welcome!
The Market runs May-November, every Thursday from 10am-12pm
Drop-in Garden Time
Interested in gardening, but have a busy schedule? Join CCUA for Drop-in Garden Time at Columbia’s Agriculture Park (1769 W Ash St) every Tuesday in the Demo Garden! Our staff hosts flexible drop-in gardening that requires no sign-up or commitment so you can drop by when it fits your schedule! Stay for the whole time or 10 minutes. Get hands-on garden experience and all your garden questions answered. We hope to see you there!
Buzz Talks: Preparing for the Cold
Are you interested in beekeeping, but don’t know where to start? Join CCUA for “Buzz Talks!” led by local beekeeper and long-time CCUA volunteer, Jim Thaxter. Buzz Talks is a once a month Bee Club that will meet for an hour long workshop spring through fall. All are welcome, no sign-up required!
Our September meeting will cover Preparing for the Cold: Fall Management and Overwintering Strategies. This session will take place at CCUA’s Veterans Urban Farm, located at 1207 Smith St.
Food Forest Tours at Columbia's Agriculture Park
Join us on the second Saturday of every month during Columbia Farmers Market at 10:00am for a walking tour of CCUA’s Food Forest! Filled with edible fruit and nut trees, berry bushes, and native Missouri flowers, our staff will guide you so you can taste, smell, touch, and learn to identify what’s growing!
Learn how to foodscape your own backyard or garden space. Tours will cover a broad range of topics such as:
- How to plan out & design your space
- Where to source native trees & plants
- Irrigation management
- Holistic management of pests & disease
- When to harvest
- How to cook & prepare what you grow or any other questions you may have!
Additionally, each tour will highlight a different "featured plant" in our forest that you can specifically learn more about! September’s Tour will highlight “Figs and Horseradish"
September’s tour is extra special! Our staff has partnered with Columbia Public Library to feature this year’s One Read, "North Woods." “North Woods” explores the relationship between human beings & their environment, stewardship of the land, and the cultivation of fruit trees. Join us on this month’s tour as we make the connection from fiction to fruit trees!
Tours are free and open to the community, but please RSVP here!