Spring is in the air, and Southside Community Land Trust invites you to welcome the growing season at our annual Urban Agriculture Kick-Off event on Saturday, April 12, from 11am to 1pm. This beloved community tradition, affectionately known as “UAKO” by longtime supporters, marks the official start of the urban growing season in Providence and brings together gardeners, farmers, and food justice advocates from across Rhode Island.
This year’s event will take place simultaneously at two locations, offering a variety of workshops to meet the needs of different gardeners. At our 404 Broad Street headquarters, the schedule features two powerful workshops designed to deepen participants’ understanding of sustainable agriculture and food sovereignty. At 11am, our Black Food Liberation Workshop will explore how communities are reclaiming food systems through an equity lens. This workshop builds on our successful Food Justice 101 series and examines how historical challenges including colonialism, land dispossession, and corporate agricultural control have marginalized Indigenous and Black communities. Participants will learn about empowering models such as community-led farming cooperatives and Afroecological practices that affirm local knowledge, prioritize ecological balance, and reclaim power over food production and distribution.
Register for Workshops Here
At noon at 404 Broad Street, our Spring Garden Readiness Workshop offers practical knowledge to help you prepare your growing space for a successful season. Whether you’re tending a community garden plot, a backyard garden, or container plants on a balcony, you’ll gain valuable insights into soil preparation, early season planting techniques, and sustainable growing practices that maximize yields while nurturing the environment.
For those who prefer to gather at the Fox Point Community Garden location (256 Power Street), we’ll host an Ask the Experts table at 11am where experienced growers will answer your gardening questions, followed by a Dividing Perennials Workshop at noon that will demonstrate how to multiply your garden’s bounty through proper division techniques.
Throughout the event, our seed giveaway station will offer free, high-quality seeds to all attendees, with a focus on culturally significant and locally adapted varieties. This initiative supports our commitment to seed sovereignty and biodiversity in our local food system, ensuring that everyone has access to the resources needed to grow their own food.
The Urban Agriculture Kick-Off marks the beginning of compost pick-up season for SCLT members, who receive 50 gallons of free organic compost – a $110 value – that helps gardeners and farmers build healthy soil for the growing season. Attendees can sign up for or renew their annual SCLT membership at the event, with membership fees directly supporting our work to create equitable food systems throughout Rhode Island. This is a BYOB (Bring Your Own Bucket) event, with the compost pickup available at both sites. Volunteers will be on hand to help with loading.
Whether you’re a seasoned grower, a beginner looking to start your first garden, or someone passionate about food justice and sustainability, the Urban Agriculture Kick-Off offers a welcoming space to connect with like-minded community members and gain the knowledge and resources needed for a successful growing season. Join us rain or shine on April 12 as we celebrate the transformative power of urban agriculture and community resilience.
