Urban Stewardship Award

Raleigh, NC – May 20, 2013 – After its first successful year of operation, Raleigh City Farm recently received the 2013 City of Raleigh Urban Stewardship Award. Environmental awards are given annually to recognize environmental leadership in organizations and individuals in Raleigh.  Farmer Lisa Sluder, General Manager Ryan Finch and volunteer Lisa Finaldi accepted the award on behalf of Raleigh City Farm (RCF) volunteers and its board of directors.Nominees were judged on Effectiveness, Innovation, Environmental Stewardship, Leadership and Sustainability.  Raleigh City Farm has proven its abilities in these areas.  Since inception, RCF has:

  • -Harvested over 2500 pounds of food, a portion of which is donated to Raleigh Rescue Mission and Inter-Faith Food Shuttle through Logan’s Plant-a-Row for the Hungry
  • -Engaged over 300 elementary, high school and university students with urban farming
  • -Operated a successful produce stand at the farm during summer Saturdays
  • -Sold produce to four restaurants in Raleigh, some delivered by bicycle by Oak City Cycles
  • -Won Green America’s first National Green Business national “People and Planet” Award

“We have a lot to celebrate,” said Ryan Finch, General Manager of Raleigh City Farm.  “Over the past year we have transformed a vacant lot into a productive space, where people of all ages and backgrounds come together to connect with healthy food. This award is icing on our first year in business birthday cake,” she added.The 2013 award winners were honored at the Nature Research Center of the Museum of Natural Sciences. City Council Member Randy Stagner welcomed the crowd and WRAL-TV Chief Meteorologist Greg Fishel presented the awards.About Raleigh City FarmRaleigh City Farm is transforming an unexpected downtown space into beautiful and nourishing farmland.  The innovative urban farm, located on a highly-visible one-acre lot on the corner of Franklin and N. 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 hyper-local environment.  The farm serves as an educational tool to demonstrate responsible, intensive growing techniques with a focus on building a restorative, community-based food system.

GeneralRebekah Beck