Urban Community AgriNomics (UCAN)
Catawba Trail Farm | Durham, NC
Growing Communities One Seed at a Time!
Nurturing Nature, Nourishing Communities
UCAN’s Commitment to Fresh Food Access
Urban Community AgriNomics (UCAN) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit founded April 29th, 2016 by sisters, Delphine Godley Sellars and Lucille Godley Patterson. This organization reflects their desire to engage the community of Northern Durham with skills based in agriculture and providing a place for those within the community to have access to fresh fruits and vegetables. UCAN has donated over 60,000lbs of fresh vegetables and fruits, through local harvesting and gleaning events sponsored by the Society of St. Andrews. UCAN provides opportunities for a diverse group of board members and volunteers.
A partnership with Triangle Land Conservancy (TLC) led to a User License Agreement, resulting in the creation and development of the Catawba Trail Farm.
I CAN, WE CAN, UCAN!
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I CAN, WE CAN, UCAN! -
Our Mission
Urban Community AgriNomic’s mission is to improve the health and wellness of our community. Our programs shall provide education on healthy lifestyles, seed-to-table food preparation and preservation, and hands-on STEM and agricultural skills. We empower Durham families with access to resources to grow their own healthy food using sustainable practices in a supportive environment.
Upcoming events.
Urban Community AgriNomics (UCAN) has a great lineup of events and programs! From educational workshops to community outreach initiatives, there are plenty of opportunities for you to join us in making a positive impact. Explore our calendar to find out more about upcoming events and learn how you can get involved in supporting our mission of promoting sustainable agriculture and fostering community resilience.
Hey everyone! Starting July 6th, 2024, UCAN will take a break from our Saturday Volunteer Days on the first Saturday of each month. For the rest of the year, we won't be at the Catawba Trail Farm on the following Saturdays: July 6th, August 3rd, September 7th, October 5th, November 2nd, and December 7th. This will also continue into 2025.
Why the change? Well, our small team needs some rest at least one Saturday out of the month. We'll be using these Saturdays to recharge, plan, and coordinate for groups, as well as tackle other organizational tasks.
Plot owners, you are always welcome to visit the Catawba Trail Farm any day to tend to your garden bed. Just remember to use the buddy system!
Thanks for understanding, and for all your amazing support!
Be sure to check out our schedule of 2024 food distributions! Swing by the Catawba Trail Farm to pick up your box of FREE, fresh North Carolina-grown produce. UCAN is grateful for the opportunity to serve the community with nutritious, locally sourced produce.
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UCAN NEWS
BLACK EARTH MATTERS
This poster was created for Urban Community AgriNomics (UCAN) by Dr. McAdoo and his graduate students. Isn’t it wonderful?
We’d love for you to take a moment and read through this ‘Black Earth Matters: Soil Justice and Black Farms in North Carolina’ poster, and dive deep into the history of The Catawba Trail Farm, soil and geology information, and the issue of food insecurity.
OWNERSHIP OF THE CATAWBA TRAIL FARM
Triangle Land Conservancy (TLC) transfers 176 acres in one of the region’s largest transfers of land trust property to an African American led nonprofits.
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All funds raised support Catawba Trail Farm in its mission to support a more resilient community through agricultural and environmental education, increasing access to fresh and nutritious foods, preservation of our shared histories and fostering economic opportunities for growers of all ages especially in Northern Durham.
Current fundraising projects include:
· Historical restoration of the Intergenerational House and Millwright Building, including the creation of an open-air farmers’ market.
· Expansion of our growing operations through the clearing of two forested acres.
· Supporting the YouthCAN garden’s STEAM programming for local youth enrichment.
· Continued restoration of dozens (and counting) probable gravesites of enslaved Africans.
· Helping us always have cash on hand to support a working farm!
TESTIMONIES
Discover the stories of those whose lives have been touched by UCAN. From community members to volunteers, learn how UCAN's programs and initiatives have made a positive impact in their lives and the community as a whole.
Rose
“What you guys weren't aware of this morning when I asked for the additional box for the lady who had breast cancer surgery was she telephoned me yesterday and asked me to bring her some fruit. She gave me her list. When I saw you guys included muscadines and apples I was overcome with emotions. I said the Holy Spirit "ain't" no joke! Those two among some others were on her list. Here I am helping someone and the Holy Spirit helped me to help her. How powerfully cool is that?
Now let me tell you what I prepared. With the zucchini I made zucchini pie with a phyllo crust and zucchini soup. The kale will be prepared the African way. All good!!!!!
Words will never convey my gratitude for what you all do for the community.
Much love and continued success.......”
Sophia
"I really enjoyed participating in the scholars at work program! I was matched with UCAN, where we learned about the history of the farm that was once a plantation, as well as how to provide for ourselves without having to rely on supermarkets when you can create one in your very own backyard! My experience at UCAN was very humbling. When learning about the past, it's very hard to grasp the reality of it all and its often hard to forgive what happened during those times, but when discussing about the purpose of the program and restoring factor, it allowed me to see from both perspectives. If you become or act like the people who have hated you, discriminated against you and treated you & others inhumanly You are no better than them. That being said, its important to preserve our history so we can learn from our mistakes. I'm very honored that I was able to be a part of such a wonderful and inspiring community. I thank Delphine Sellars and Lucille Patterson for everything they have done as well as the volunteers that were there and I look forward to working with them again soon!"
Donald R.
My wife and I have been looking to get into gardening. At first, we were going to take a class, but figured why not make sure it's something we want to do before investing hundreds of dollars. My Wife found Catawba Trail Farm from their Instagram page. We saw they had a volunteer program and thought it would be cool to try it out since we live close by. WOW! All I can say is, this place was so much fun, we were surprised at how open everybody was! I was expecting to be put to work and maybe learn a few things in the process. We got much more than we expected! There were a few other volunteers but not many, Duke university had some students there and they were teaching a class, I got to listen in! We got to really learn a lot. The group here really does operate like a big family farm, the history of this farm is really touching. It used to be a slave plantation; my ancestors came from the south so it was moving to see all races together for the good of the land. I have been looking for this kind of a feeling in North Carolina since I moved here from California. I have visited farms back in California but the history of these farms makes this place feel more like Holy land as opposed to just a farm! When you come here you will see, it is a life changing experience. I learned how to work with the compost, which is what they use on their garden beds. I will be taking off work every weekend to come down and volunteer. It is therapeutic and I could not imagine a better place to learn the skills of agriculture, at the Catawba farms. Mrs. Lucille was super; she even invited my 5 year old daughter to come back so they can teach her how to grow vegetables too! Last but not least they have everything there, soil, beds, tools and they are super generous and willing to teach you everything they know. What more can you ask for! The Soul of this place is so Amazing, I feel like I am making my ancestors proud every time I come to the Catawba Trail Farm, this beautiful piece of land! Please don’t hesitate to visit this place if you are in North Carolina. You must come down and see this beautiful farm!”