Join the Community
Cultivating Communities, Growing Change: UFI's diverse programming empowers individuals, promotes sustainability, and builds food security.
The Farmer Training Program is a hands-on initiative designed to equip individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to become successful urban farmers.
We provide aspiring farmers and growers with a structured curriculum that covers various aspects of urban agriculture, including sustainable farming practices, soil health, crop planning, pest management, and marketing strategies.
Participants in the program have the opportunity to engage in practical training at UFI's farm in Mattapan, where they will learn essential techniques like seed starting, transplanting, and harvesting.
Through a combination of classroom instruction, fieldwork, and mentorship, the Farmer Training Program empowers individuals to launch their own urban farming ventures, contribute to local food production, and foster a resilient and sustainable community.
Farmer Training Program
Eight-Week Classroom Instruction
During the 8-week classroom portion of the Farmer Training program, participants will learn from UFI staff, facilitators, and guests who will cover a range of topics to provide a basic foundation of knowledge for aspiring urban farmers. The topics covered in the 8-week curriculum will be as follows:
Week 1: Introduction to urban farming, overview of food and farming systems
Week 2: Soil, plants, and water
Week 3: Soil health and crop selection
Week 4: Crop planning and record keeping
Week 5: Markets, harvesting and safety
Week 6: Community relationships
Week 7: Business planning and budget basics
Week 8: Farming resources and graduation
Twenty-Week Field Work Instruction
Participants in the 8-week classroom portion of the Farmer Training program will have the option to apply for the 20-week field work instruction. During this portion of the program, trainees will work alongside UFI’s farm team for a hands-on learning experience throughout the course of a growing season on our six working urban farms in Dorchester, Mattapan, and Roxbury.
The field work is a paid, part-time commitment (20 hours/week). During this time, trainees will receive instruction and gain experience in areas including (but not limited to): plant propagation, seed starting, field preparation, transplanting, irrigation systems, harvesting, pest and weed management, trellising and plant maintenance, seed saving, preparing produce for market, marketing and selling produce, composting methods, community outreach, fermentation, and food storage.
In addition to field work, trainees will conduct an independent project of their choosing with support and mentorship from farm staff and local experts. There will also be visits to a range of farms and food businesses during bi-weekly field trips within the Greater Boston area.
Fit Around the Farm (FATF) is an innovative program that combines physical fitness and community engagement in the context of urban farming.
FATF is a dynamic 10-week program catering to Boston women aged 65 and above with a focus on women of color.
Join us for four seasonal sessions throughout the year, where fitness instruction is thoughtfully tailored to accommodate participants of all levels.
Explore the mechanics of your body and target muscle groups through invigorating chair yoga classes. Because maintaining nutrition is critical for maintaining healthy bodies at any age, our program includes chef demonstrations that introduce seniors to the art of healthy cooking alongside the importance of overall stretching and movement.
Fit Around the Farm
The Grow Series
This free, hands-on workshop series is led by seasoned growers Melanie Floyd and Apolo Cátala. Whether you consider yourself an expert gardener or are just starting out, The Grow Series covers essential topics to help you successfully grow your own vegetables at home. Each class explores a rotating selection of topics designed to teach you practical skills, from soil preparation to harvest tips. Don’t miss the chance to learn from two passionate experts and other knowledgeable growers in a fun and welcoming environment. Sign up today and start growing your green thumb!
Classes run on weekends from February until October. Check our calendar on the Events page for dates and topics.
Men’s Gathering
Boston male seniors ages 65 years plus with a focus on men of color - let's keep the momentum going! This health and lifestyle program is just for you funded by Boston Age Strong. The program is free, featuring fitness, speakers, healthy eating, and more. We want to help you become your best self.
Come join other men from Roxbury, Dorchester, and Mattapan for a dynamic program of tailored fitness and wellness, featuring tai chi, functional fitness, conversation, and an opportunity to connect with one another.
Raised Beds
Growing your own food is more important than ever. Gardening has so many benefits: exercise, time outside, and of course, fresh, tasty food!
We offer raised beds on a sliding scale basis. Our raised beds are 8’ x 4’ x 1’ and they include safe soil, seeds or seedlings (depending on the time of year), and ongoing support.
Eligibility criteria to receive a raised bed are:
Recipients have permission to place a raised bed on the property
Recipients home address is in the following neighborhoods: Roxbury, Dorchester, Mattapan.
For monthly workshops about all things growing, please attend our Grow Series (see calendar of events).
If you live outside of the neighborhoods where we install raised beds, consider growing food at your neighborhood community garden. Often plots are larger than raised beds. View this directory here. We created a map of the community gardens located in Mattapan, Roxbury, and Dorchester that offer individual garden plots: view it here.
Please review our growing guide here.
Youth Education
At UFI we strive to include youth in all our farm programs because we believe that no community wellness movement or land-based project is complete without the voices and participation of young people.
Young Farmers Project
The Young Farmers Project is an immersive 6-week summer internship program for youth ages 14 and up from the Mattapan, Roxbury, and Dorchester neighborhoods. It's an opportunity for them to immerse themselves in hands-on learning, community engagement, and leadership development, while contributing to a meaningful movement towards a more sustainable future.
2026 applications open April 1 and will be reviewed on a rolling basis until all positions are filled. Apply sooner to have a better chance of being accepted into the program.
Hands on the Land
We partner with schools all 180 days of the school year to co-create custom programs that meet the needs of our communities. From classroom visits and field trips to designing a food-growing program of your own, our partnership model includes something for everyone.
For more information, email tphan@urbanfarminginstitute.org.