Urban Agriculture Impact

Urban Agriculture Impact (UAI) is a Houston-based nonprofit dedicated to improving food access, public health, and environmental resilience in historically underserved communities. Our mission is to eliminate food deserts by helping neighborhoods grow, distribute, and sustain their own fresh food systems through hands-on education, community partnerships, and volunteer-powered action. UAI was formed to support and scale grassroots urban agriculture efforts across Houston, with an initial focus on the Third Ward. Our vision is a city where every neighborhood has the knowledge, infrastructure, and community support needed to grow healthy food locally and affordably. Urban Agriculture Impact (UAI) is a Houston-based nonprofit that mobilizes volunteers to grow food, restore green spaces, and strengthen community health in neighborhoods facing food insecurity. Our mission is to eliminate food deserts by helping communities grow their own fresh food and build practical, lasting skills together. UAI was created to support and scale community-led urban agriculture efforts, beginning in Houston’s Third Ward. We envision a city where neighbors, volunteers, and local organizations work side by side to create healthy, productive spaces that feed families and bring people together. Much of UAI’s work is carried out in partnership with Harlem River Farms (HRF), a trusted community grower and educator with deep roots in the Third Ward. Together, we connect volunteers with meaningful, hands-on opportunities that create real impact while building knowledge, confidence, and community pride.

Urban Agriculture Impact provides hands-on volunteer opportunities that directly improve food access, environmental health, and neighborhood well-being. Volunteers work alongside community members and our on-the-ground partner, Harlem River Farms, to build, maintain, and activate urban growing spaces across Houston. Our programs include Garden Crawls, where volunteers help prepare multiple community sites for planting and harvesting in a single day; Grow More, Spend Less, a practical education series that teaches residents how to grow food at home and save money; Tree Giveaways, which restore urban tree canopy while empowering residents to plant and care for trees; and the Greening of Third Ward, a large-scale, community-led initiative focused on restoring green spaces, expanding food production, and strengthening neighborhood pride. Volunteer activities range from planting and harvesting vegetables, building and refreshing garden beds, distributing produce and starter plants, and supporting workshops and events. No prior gardening experience is required — volunteers learn alongside experienced growers and see the immediate impact of their work. Urban Agriculture Impact provides hands-on volunteer opportunities that directly improve food access, environmental health, and neighborhood well-being. Volunteers work alongside community members and our on-the-ground partner, Harlem River Farms, to build, maintain, and activate urban growing spaces across Houston. Garden Crawls – Large, high-energy volunteer days where teams move between multiple community sites to plant, harvest, build beds, and complete major garden improvements in a single day. Grow More, Spend Less – A practical education and demonstration series that teaches residents how to grow food at home, preserve harvests, and reduce grocery costs. Volunteers support workshops, demos, setup, and community engagement. Tree Giveaways – Community-based events focused on restoring Houston’s urban tree canopy. Volunteers help organize, distribute trees, share planting guidance, and connect residents with long-term care resources. Greening of Third Ward – A flagship, neighborhood-wide initiative that mobilizes volunteers to restore green spaces, expand food production, and strengthen community pride through coordinated planting, cleanups, and education. Volunteer activities also include planting and harvesting vegetables, preparing and refreshing garden beds, building and repairing garden infrastructure, distributing produce and starter plants, and supporting community events. No prior gardening experience is required — volunteers learn alongside experienced growers and see the immediate impact of their work. Through recurring workdays, special projects, and large community events, volunteers help increase access to fresh, locally grown food while gaining hands-on skills and building meaningful connections with the communities they serve. Every volunteer hour contributes directly to healthier neighborhoods, stronger local food systems, and a more resilient Houston.