Imagine a place where young people work hard to nurture the earth, growing 25,000 pounds of produce every year on our 3.5 acre farm to nourish the community. This diverse group of youth, between the ages of 14-17, harvests over 40 different fruits and vegetables, cultivating healthy relationships with land and food as they taste freshly dug carrots for the very first time. They gain an intimate understanding of hunger relief by donating 40% of their harvest to local food pantries and soup kitchens, preparing and serving meals to those in need from produce that they planted, tended, and harvested. That place is Urban Roots. In 2008, Urban Roots began as a program of YouthLaunch to empower and develop Austin youth and promote healthy lifestyle choices. Urban Roots’ innovative approach of employing youth to grow fresh, healthy food in the heart of an underserved neighborhood while empowering their development as leaders and good citizens, proved to be a powerful concept. The program grew significantly over the years and became a stand-alone non-profit organization 2011. Today, Urban Roots' mission is to use food and farming to transform the lives of young people and to inspire, engage, and nourish the community. **Banner Credit: Lauren Slusher Photography