Urban Community Agrinomics

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.

• Lucille PattersonCo-founder & Assistant Director
• Erica NealYouth Program Coordinator
• Keith McKinnieMaintenance Manager
• Kyle BryantDuke University Summer Intern
• Brittaney Robinson-WhitenhillGardeners as Teachers Program Manager
• Aniya BourneAssistant Director of Content & Marketing

• YouthCANThe UCAN Youth Community Garden and Youth Advisory Council engages students aged 12–18 in hands-on…
• Historical Preservation & EducationUCAN is actively restoring and preserving historically significant structures and gravesites on the Catawba…
• Food DistributionsPartnering with Farmer FoodShare, UCAN hosts food distributions at the Catawba Trail Farm…
• Gleaning & Harvest EventsIn partnership with the Society of St.
• Volunteer ProgramUCAN's Saturday volunteer days invite community members to the Catawba Trail Farm to plant, harvest…
• Community GardenUCAN's Community Garden at the Catawba Trail Farm has 47 raised garden beds that community members rent by…

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Based in

Durham, NC

Founded

2016

EIN

81-0691944

Staff

8

Website

ucan.today

• Urban Community Agrinomics505 Crestview Dr

• NOV14Saturday Volunteer Workday at the Catawba Trail FarmSat, Nov 14 · 9am to noon
• NOV14Ucan'S Chili Cook-OffSat, Nov 14 · 11:30am to 2:30pm
• NOV21Saturday Volunteer Workday at the Catawba Trail FarmSat, Nov 21 · 9am to noon