One Year Anniversary
Officially Receives NonProfit Status
RALEIGH, N.C. (March 2013) – After one year of successful operation, Raleigh’s first urban farm is celebrating a birthday. The idea of Raleigh City Farm was first conceived in 2010, but it took two years of diligent planning to secure access to a location, work through the zoning process and develop the organizational aspects of the farm. On March 17, 2012, Raleigh City Farm received its first tractortrailer load of soil, thus commencing the official operation of the farm.To commemorate this event, Raleigh City Farm is hosting a birthday party on the site of the farm, at 800 N. Blount St. on Saturday, March 23, from 13pm. Activities will include farm tours, music, birthday cake, storytelling and activities for children.“From the beginning, Raleigh City Farm has relied on the support, contributions and physical labor of our neighbors in Raleigh and the surrounding areas. I think Raleigh City Farm is such a unique and collaborative organization because of all the support we’ve gotten,” said Lisa Sluder, Urban Farmer of Raleigh City Farm.“We have a lot to celebrate,” added Ryan Finch, General Manager of Raleigh City Farm. “Over the past year we have really transformed this vacant lot into a productive space, one in which people of all ages and backgrounds are coming together to make a connection with healthy food.”As an early birthday present, Raleigh City Farm also recently received notice from the Internal Revenue Service that their application for federallyrecognized 501(c)3 nonprofit status has been accepted. This will allow the farm to further its educational mission, teaching people to grow their own food and provide healthier food options to city dwellers.About Raleigh City FarmRaleigh City Farm is transforming an unexpected downtown space into beautiful and nourishing farmland. The innovative urban farm, located on a highlyvisible 1 acre lot on the corner of Franklin and Blount Streets just blocks from the city center, provides access to local produce and engages city dwellers and visitors in the process of growing food in a hyperlocal environment. The farm serves as an educational tool to demonstrate responsible, intensive growing techniques with a focus on building a restorative, communitybased food system.