Urban Community AgriNomics (UCAN)

The Duke Sigmas AAX Chapter were recently back at Catawba Trail Farm! These young men have been consistent volunteers over the past few years, and we’re extremely grateful for their dedication. They always show up with joy, smiles, and a willingness to get their hands dirty in the garden. We love seeing their commitment to giving back to the community!

Our Farm Manager, Lauren, recently led a group of youth on a cleanup mission at the Little River, collecting golf balls that had made their way downstream. We’re grateful for their time and effort in helping to keep our environment safe and clean! This golf ball cleanup is an ongoing project, as our proximity to a golf course means these stray balls frequently end up in the river. Photos captured by Lauren, UCAN Farm Manager.

As usual, Mr. Evans is always hard at work volunteering! He recently helped us paint the inside of the Millhouse, so if you spot that freshly painted white door, we thank Mr. Evans for his time and effort! Photos captured by Lauren, UCAN Farm Manager.

This year’s MLK Day of Service at the Catawba Trail Farm was wonderful! At UCAN, we honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. not just in words, but in action. MLK Day of Service is more than a moment to remember—it’s a call to engage, care, and build a community rooted in justice and opportunity. Thank you to everyone who joined us! ??

A huge thank you to Meredith College, Watts Street Baptist Church, and St. John's Baptist Church for joining us on a recent volunteer day at the Catawba Trail Farm! Oh, what a beautiful morning of community it was! We’re grateful for your support and all the hands that helped make a difference.

UCAN is thrilled to announce the release of our very first cookbook! Discover UCAN’s Recipes from Catawba Trail Farm: a 91-page collection of cocktails, mocktails, soups, stews, mains, sides, desserts, pickles, jams, and more. Plus, a Notes Section for your personal touches! Urban Community AgriNomics (UCAN) would also like to sincerely thank all those who contributed to our first organizational cookbook. Thank you for sharing family recipes that will greatly contribute to the health and wellness of others. (This collection of recipes was assembled and edited into a cookbook by UCAN board member and Catawba Trail Farm Plot Owner, Brianne Cellemme-Short) Purchase your UCAN cookbook or e-cookbook: https://lnkd.in/ea3Caf8r

Wow, we can’t believe it’s been a year already! This time last year (specifically January 11th, 2024), the historic land transferred occured, transferring ownership of the Catawba Trail Farm from Triangle Land Conservancy (TLC) to Urban Community AgriNomics (UCAN). This milestone marked a powerful step for our organization and founders, Delphine Sellars and Lucille Patterson. We’re so grateful for the continued support that has allowed us to cultivate growth, connection, and resilience on this historic land. Here’s to many more years of impact and stewardship! #UCANMAKEHISTORY #ICANWECANUCAN

The beauty of community connection! In December, Kristen Walker of Flower City Noire Collective in Rochester, New York, visited the Catawba Trail Farm. The story of how this visit came to be is truly inspiring! While dining out in Durham, Kristen met Catawba Trail Farm plot owner Cynthia (pictured on the left in the first image). Their conversation quickly turned to their shared passion for agriculture, and Cynthia introduced Kristen to Urban Community AgriNomics. The very next day, Cynthia invited Kristen to visit the farm, and the connection was immediate and genuine. Seeing Kristen’s joy and enthusiasm for agriculture and community was a heartwarming reminder of how shared passions can bring people together! Learn more about Flower City Noire Collective: https://lnkd.in/eTz77Xah

UCAN's December Food Distribution was overflowing with giving and holiday cheer. What a wonderful way to wrap up 2024 by sharing fresh produce just in time for the holidays! We're excited to continue serving our community in 2025—stay tuned for our Food Distribution schedule coming soon!

We were honored to participate in the Sustainable Agriculture Conference hosted by the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association (CFSA)! Thank you to everyone who joined our tour to learn about our journey and future plans. We’re excited to keep growing and sharing our story! Also, we were pleased to host a raffle featuring three copies of Rooted: The American Legacy of Land Theft and the Modern Movement for Black Land Ownership by Brea Baker.