The UGArden student farm will celebrate 15 years of service to the Athens community this spring with two major events: a Community Day on May 3 and an upscale Garden Gala on June 7.

UGArden is a 10-acre student-run farm at the University of Georgia that produces organic produce through sustainable practices. The farm provides fresh food to Athens-area families, conducts research and offers hands-on education to students. It was founded in 2010 by a group of students with support from the Department of Horticulture in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

Fighting food insecurity through education and service

Over the years, UGArden has partnered with UGA Campus Kitchen, the UGA Office of Sustainabilityand community groups to complete more than 30 research projects, educate 2,989 students, welcome 15,539 tour participants and engage 8,599 volunteers.

In 2024 alone, UGArden donated about 20,000 pounds of fresh produce to local organizations fighting food insecurity.

“Over the past decade and a half, UGArden has helped many UGA students discover a love for gardening, agriculture and community service, all while creating a positive impact in the Athens community,” said Ty Brooks, UGArden farm director. “I am excited to celebrate this milestone in the farm's history and glad to invite the community to celebrate with us.”

Brooks shares more about the farm's mission and daily operations in an episode of “Cultivating Curiosity.”

Community Day set for May 3

UGArden’s first celebration event, Community Day, will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 3, at the farm on South Milledge Avenue.

The free, family-friendly event will include games, crafts, activities and an open market for browsing. A $10 donation is suggested but not required.

Garden Gala planned for June 7

The second event, the Garden Gala, is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. Saturday, June 7.

The gala will feature a farm-to-table dinner highlighting UGArden’s accomplishments and future goals. The intimate gathering will celebrate supporters, community members and local leaders in sustainable agriculture.

Individual gala tickets cost $120, and a VIP table for eight is available for $1,200. Proceeds will support the Friends of the UGArden Endowment, which funds food insecurity initiatives, student worker support, farm supplies and experiential learning opportunities.

Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available through UGArden’s event sign-up page and website.