Urban Community Agrinomics
The Triangle
Our Mission
Urban Community AgriNomics' (UCAN) mission is to reduce food insecurity, reduce and reverse preventable health issues, increase academic success, and increase exposure to career opportunities in the field of agriculture. UCAN's focus is to improve the health and wellbeing of the community by providing access to open green spaces, education and trainings on healthy lifestyles, seed-to-table food preparation and preservation, hands-on STEAM and organic agriculture.
UCAN empowers families and individuals with access to resources to grow their own healthy food using sustainable practices, in a supportive community environment. Their work is manifested through a lens of diversity, inclusion, environmental and social justice.
Our Story
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.
A partnership with Triangle Land Conservancy (TLC) led to a User License Agreement, resulting in the creation and development of the Catawba Trail Farm in Durham, NC. Triangle Land Conservancy (TLC) has since transferred 176 acres in one of the region's largest transfers of land trust property to an African American led nonprofit.
Our Impact
UCAN has donated over 100,000 lbs 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, and partners with organizations such as Farmer Foodshare to host monthly food distributions at the Catawba Trail Farm.
Over 100,000 lbs of fresh produce donated to the community
Monthly food distributions offering complimentary boxes of North Carolina grown produce
47 raised community garden beds available for yearly rental
Historical restoration of gravesites of enslaved Africans on the farm property
Youth programming through YouthCAN serving students aged 12–18
Our Approach
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 shared histories, and fostering economic opportunities for growers of all ages — especially in Northern Durham.
UCAN's programming spans food distributions, community garden plot rentals, youth STEAM education, volunteer engagement, seed-to-table cooking and preservation classes, and the restoration of historically significant structures on the farm, including the Intergenerational House and Millwright Building.
Our Values
Diversity & Inclusion: UCAN provides opportunities for a diverse group of board members and volunteers, and centers the voices and experiences of marginalized communities.
Environmental & Social Justice: The organization's work is manifested through a lens of environmental and social justice, including the ongoing restoration of probable gravesites of enslaved Africans.
Community Empowerment: UCAN believes in empowering families and individuals with resources to grow their own healthy food using sustainable practices, in a supportive community environment.
Intergenerational Connection: Through spaces like the Intergenerational House, UCAN bridges generations, allowing community members to learn from their elders and embrace the rich stories of the past.
Our Vision
UCAN envisions a Northern Durham community where all people have access to fresh, healthy food, green spaces, and meaningful economic opportunities. Their motto — I CAN, WE CAN, UCAN! — captures a spirit of collective empowerment and shared responsibility for building a healthier, more resilient community, growing communities one seed at a time.
Programs
- YouthCAN
- Historical Preservation & Education
- Food Distributions
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