OUR HISTORY
Urban Roots, formerly Community Design Center of Minnesota, was incorporated in 1969 as a 501(c)3 to empower community residents to realize their goals for better health, wellbeing, and economic opportunity. Over the years, we have provided a range of community development services in Minneapolis, Saint Paul and southern Minnesota, including architecture, urban planning, economic development and organizational development. We have operated our food and environmental programs on the East Side of Saint Paul since 1996, engaging thousands of youth in education, training, and work projects that provide service to the community, develop young leaders and improve health and the environment.
Today, Urban Roots operates as a youth development program and one of the largest youth employers on the East Side. We create economic and educational opportunities for under-resourced, majority BIPOC youth, preparing them for academic and professional success while addressing immediate community needs around fresh food access, the environment, and wellbeing. We currently accomplish this important work by operating three main programs: Market Garden, Cook Fresh, and Conservation.
– OUR VISION –
Urban Roots’ vision is a world where all communities have unlimited access to nature and healthy food.
– OUR MISSION –
Urban Roots is a Saint Paul organization whose mission is to cultivate and empower youth through nature, healthy food, and community.
– OUR VALUES –
COLLABORATION AND INCLUSION
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We achieve more when we work together.
STEWARDSHIP
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We own our responsibility to be caretakers of the resources that we are
entrusted with.
EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING
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We are happiest in the field or in the kitchen. Our minds and our
hands are always engaged.
CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT
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We learn from our mistakes. When opportunities for
growth arise, we embrace them.
TRANSPARENCY
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We cultivate a healthy work environment where youth and staff can be
true to themselves and honest with each other.
DIVERSITY
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We honor different perspectives as our strength.
SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EQUITY
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We strive for fairness in our communities and the world at
large.
FUN
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We enjoy what we do and celebrate each other doing it.
– OUR PROGRAMS –
CONSERVATION
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Support and improve green spaces.
MARKET GARDEN
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Crop production through urban agriculture.
COOK FRESH
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Seed-to-table cooking and entrepreneurship.