Ten years ago, I found myself standing on the grounds of Urban Oaks Organic Farm for the last time. What had once been a vibrant hub for fresh food and community connection was closing its gates. In that moment of loss, I remember thinking:

 What happens to the roots we’ve planted together?

At Urban Oaks, my role was to bring kids to the farm for hands-on education programs. When the farm closed, I realized that if kids could no longer come to the farm, we had to bring the farm to them. We got to work building gardens and greenhouses at schools, transforming them into living classrooms where students could dig into the soil, taste what they grew, and discover where their food comes from. What began as a small effort to carry forward the spirit of Urban Oaks has grown into a thriving organization that connects food, education, and community — the organization we now proudly call New Britain ROOTS. Your support has allowed us to sustain and grow over time. This year alone, we installed a new beehive at New Britain High School, launched a Community Fridge Program in three neighborhoods, and maintained gardens across twelve schools throughout the city.

In 2026, ROOTS plans to expand our gardens and collect food waste from schools for composting using an innovative worm composter being built in partnership with students from UConn. We’ll also launch a sensory garden program that invites students with special needs to experience the joy of growing and tasting food from their garden.

Nonprofits like ROOTS are navigating an increasingly uncertain federal funding landscape just as community needs continue to rise. In New Britain, food insecurity is growing, and more families rely on ROOTS’ markets and community fridge programs for access to fresh food. As public funding becomes less predictable, local donor support like yours is vital to sustaining this work. Together, we are ensuring that young people continue to explore, create, and grow with confidence, knowledge, and purpose. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for being part of this incredible journey. Here’s to the next ten years of growing together!