Ag Park: Jump on the moving train!

Despite the snow and cold, progress at the Ag Park continues.  Two weeks ago we hit a big milestone of the first above ground concrete being poured.... Watch as 260 cubic yards of concrete is laid on east and then west ends of the forthcoming MU Health Care Pavilion! 

After completion of construction this winter & early 2019, the Ag Park will be 50% done! The past two years have been loaded with milestones for the budding Agriculture Park.  We're quickly approaching a MAJOR milestone of the park's Opening Day; March 9th 2019.   See below for more exciting details.

The sections below outline the progress we've made to date, as well as the key pieces on tap for the Ag Park in the coming seasons.  We need your help to keep pushing this train forward.  Please consider making a donation or pledge of support, (or increasing your current donation/pledge) this holiday season.   As noted below, we've got an important donation/pledge deadline of February 15th to be listed on the donor wall during this opening season. 
The first half of construction at the Ag Park is almost complete! These items include:

  • Site grading and utility upgrades

  • Concrete pad for entire MU Health Care Pavilion

  • Middle portion of the pavilion with bathrooms and winter sidewalls

  • Pedestrian Plaza

  • 42 additional customer parking spots

  • CCUA’s Barn/Greenhouse

  • One-room school house

  • Walking trail

  • Playground & nature play area

  • Demonstration Gardens

  • Urban Farm Production Area       

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Construction of these items will continue through the winter and early 2019.     
 
This updated site map shows the sidewalk plan, details of the Urban Farm and Demonstration Gardens and the many teaching areas throughout the park.  The Columbia Center for Urban Agriculture will be hosting volunteer work parties on site most Saturdays in 2019 to build out all the gardens and teaching areas. Stay tuned for more information about how to get involved. 

Here's what on tap for the Ag Park in the coming seasons!  Your support of the campaign will ensure that these features are built as soon as possible.  Support for the Ag Park by making or increasing your pledge or donation today!

  • Urban Agriculture and Park Features:

    • Urban Farm Production to support ‘Planting for the Pantry’ donations to the Food Bank.

      • All the food grown on site will be donated to hunger relief. An estimated 50,000 pounds of food will be produced annually once the gardens are developed and the soil properly conditioned.

    • Demonstration Gardens to showcase a range of backyard gardening methods.

      • Home-scale raised beds, no-till gardens, pollinator patches, berry bushes, fruit trees, chicken coops, compost piles, and much more will be on site.

      • Programs will be delivered to K-12 students, adults, and beginning farmers at field trips, Saturday-morning workshops, summer camps, and more.

    • Parks & Leisure items to make the site welcoming and enjoyable.

      • Sidewalks, benches, water fountains, and more are needed.    

  • Completion of the MU Health Care Pavilion:

    • The roof will be extended east and west from the middle portion (opening in 2019).

      • Upon completion, this ~30,000 sqft building will hold 98 farmer/vendors under one roof, and also be available for civic events throughout the year.

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  • The Event Center, Resource Center and Kitchen: will play a critical role at the Agriculture Park and add significantly to the functionality and programming opportunities at the Park:  

    • Event Center:

      • A fully conditioned event space to host 175 people for weddings, conferences, workshops, trainings, community meals and much more.

    • Teaching/Commercial Kitchen:

      • A commercial teaching kitchen for cooking and nutrition programs, and entrepreneurship.

    • Resource Center:

      • A collaborative space with offices and meeting rooms for the community to learn and access materials to do work in their own gardens and kitchens.

Here's a view of the preliminary floor plan for the Event Center, Resource Center, and Kitchen.  

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Please support this exciting project by making a pledge or donation today!  Go online to www.BuildThisTown.org to learn more and make a pledge! 

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SAVE THE DATE:  March 9th, 2019


Saturday, March 9th at 8 a.m. the Columbia Farmers Market bell will ring at the new MU Health Care Pavilion for the first time!  Stay tuned for more information about this big milestone and other fun events planned for the weekend. 


Important Donor Wall Update!


We are excited to share a few updates on the Donor Wall at the Agriculture Park:

  • All who donated or pledged prior to April 26th 2018 will be noted on the Donor Wall as “Founding Donors”.

  • Donations/pledges received before February 15th 2019 will be listed on the Donor Wall at the Opening Day on March 9th 2019 and be displayed over the coming season.

  • Increases in donation/pledge made before February 15th 2019 will be reflected on the wall.

  • Please verify your name's spelling, listing, spouse’s name ASAP to ensure we minimize errors on the donor list.

  • The Donor Wall will be updated again on an at least annual basis until the campaign is completed.

Please confirm that we have the correct spelling, listing and spouse's name in our records.  Here is current our donor list for all donations to date. Please send a note to Adam@ColumbiaUrbanAg.org to make changes to the listing. 

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Your help is needed to support construction at the Agriculture Park in 2019 and 2020.  We've got great plans in store, but can only make progress as funding allows. Please make a pledge or donate to the project today!

Billy Polansky