PHOTO GALLERY: Columbia Center for Urban Agriculture is a pocket of change

January 10, 2013 | 6:00 a.m. CST

The Columbia Center for Urban Agriculture began in 2008 when three MU graduates decided to do something involving urban agriculture. The organization now runs a 1.3-acre farm at Smith and Fay streets, sells produce to several high-end restaurants, provides landscaping services, organizes educational visits for middle school students, builds community gardens for low-income residents and organizations and attracts more and more volunteers and community affection.

Adam Saunders, center, coordinator for the Columbia Center for Urban Agriculture, directs volunteers at Ridgeway Elementary School on the proper planting of a fruit tree as part of the center's Urban Orchards program. | Kile Brewer

From left, Aidan Ferrao, Seth Hodder, Jordan Ferrao and Oliver Matteson work together to dig the perfect hole for planting a fruit tree Nov. 24 at Ridgeway Elementary School. The students were helping the Columbia Center for Urban Agriculture plant trees for its Urban Orchards program. | Kile Brewer

Oliver Matteson, left, shovels dirt with Jordan Ferrao on Nov. 24 behind Ridgeway Elementary School. The two were volunteering for the Columbia Center for Urban Agriculture's Urban Orchards program, which includes the planting of fruit trees and berry bushes at Ridgeway. | Kile Brewer

From left, Chip Sandstedt, Michael Wilson and Laura Wilson mix compost and dirt to prepare a hole for a fruit tree Nov. 24 at Ridgeway Elementary School. The trees, which included pear, apple and cherry, were planted under the direction of Columbia Center for Urban Agriculture coordinator Adam Saunders. | Kile Brewer

People roam during the Harvest Hootenanny at the Columbia Center for Urban Agriculture's urban farm Sept. 29 on Smith Street. The 1.3 acre farm hosted a number of activities including local food, games, a silent auction, a square dance and live music. | Rachel English

Archer Cavanaugh, 4, hula hoops in the game area of the Harvest Hootenanny at the Columbia Center for Urban Agriculture's urban farm Sept. 29. | Rachel English

Volunteers made meals for people Sept. 29 at the Harvest Hootenanny at the Columbia Center for Urban Agriculture's urban farm. The bratwurst were made by Patchwork Family Farms. | Rachel English

People celebrate the harvest season Sept. 29 at the Harvest Hootenanny Fundraiser sponsored by the Columbia Center for Urban Agriculture at the center's urban farm on Smith Street. The event included food, games, a square dance, a silent auction and live music. | Rachel English

Children watch Lizzie Wright Super Spaceship perform her song "Robot" on Sept. 29 at the Harvest Hootenanny. Wright asked children to pretend to be robots while she sang. | Rachel English