Akron Cooperative Farms

More Than Land

Fleeing persecution and searching for a life of respect and dignity, hundreds of refugees and immigrants from across the globe arrive in Akron, Ohio's North Hill community each year. Nestled in this multicultural neighborhood is a 4.5 acre parcel of previously underutilized land, formerly the city of Akron's Paterson Park baseball fields. Now vibrant and alive, Akron Cooperative Farms provides sustainable agriculture space for North Hill and other neighbors -- 95% of hailing from Nepal, Bhutan, Africa and other countries -- to garden, gather, and GROW, TOGETHER.                    

2023 Highlights

We continue to delight in the operational and programmatic growth of this shared green space in North Hill!  In our first 5 growing seasons we are now a recognized 501c3 nonprofit with more than 150 garden plots, which are managed by 140+ community gardeners -- on a former baseball field on loan to us from the City of Akron!

2023 was another busy, fulfilling year for our team and gardeners! 

• Completed finish work (electrical, concrete pads and paving) on our market and community pavilion at the Farm
• Welcomed a part-time farm operations and gardener liaison manager (thank you, Amar!), taking us from a staff of 1 to 1.5 (plus our huge corps of volunteers, including our board)
• Planned and executed our 2nd annual fundraiser, Harvest on The Hill 
• Hosted the Hapi Fresh Farmer’s Market for our 4th year (with partner ASIA, Inc.); record attendance was realized in September when, on one market day alone, 700 shoppers visited the Farm
• Submitted new local grant applications and secured two new grants (to date, December 2023)
• Welcomed First Serve back for more volunteer action, along with other groups, including schools
• Continued to support our school partner, North High School, through their Gilby's Garden project -- and, we are thrilled to share that in 2024 we will begin new programs in partnership with Jennings Middle School (more to come on that!)
• Continued to build on our Gardeners' Advisory Board efforts, a group that will advocate for grower's needs and priorities
• Gratefully received several important in-kind donations, including the pouring of concrete for a new cold storage shed
• Witnessed the growth and harvest of abundant crops, once again
• Planned (and began fundraising) for a new irrigation project in 2024, that will run water from the City lines near the front gates of the property to our 2 large hoop houses north of the T-Ball field (increasing our ability to plan and operate expanded hoop house production!) 

Your gifts here at year-end will be allocated to our Digging into 2024 campaign, raising $12,000 for the 2024 hoop-house irrigation project! With each physical campus enhancement, we are creating a well-equipped and efficient gardening experience for our gardeners and an invaluable urban farming hub for Akron. THANK YOU!

Help us DIG INTO 2024!