Urban Oaks Finds New Ownership and New Name
By Editor at May 3, 2024 | 8:21 pm | Print
Urban Oaks, the non-profit organic farm that provided fresh vegetables to inner-city residents for 16 years will soon be a flourishing resource to the community again, thanks to Connecticut native and entrepreneur, Al Gamble, newest owner of the farm and property.
The 3 1/2-acre farm closed its doors late in November 2015, leaving a tremendous void not only in one of New Britain’s oldest neighborhoods, but across much of the state. Now under new ownership and a new name, Urth Farms, the unique “little farm that could” will once again be a year-round local source of fresh, delicious, high quality, locally grown vegetables.
Gamble, owner and partner of b Restaurants (formerly known as Plan B Restaurants), has a solid reputation in the organic and natural food industry. The b Restaurant Group uses local, organic, sustainable produce and ingredients wherever possible on their menus, including verified humanely raised meats. The restaurants’ beef comes from humanely treated animals, raised without hormones or antibiotics on a 100 percent vegetarian diet. His goal for the farm is to revitalize the property and expand on its programs, creating a rich, thriving, non-profit community resource.
“Urth Farms has a rich heritage as an industry pioneer in providing fresh food to low-income communities where fruits and vegetables aren’t readily accessible,” said Gamble. “As a restaurateur, it has always been my mission to uphold, support and connect with our local community. I felt the addition of Urth Farms to be a natural fit to that mission, ensuring the continued good work that came from the farm, and providing superior, fresh produce to the community.”
Having grown up on a poultry farm in Brooklyn, Connecticut, Al Gamble is completely comfortable with getting his hands dirty, operating eleven restaurants located up and down the east coast, and now nurturing and tending to the non-profit farm.
“It is an exciting and rewarding project,” adds Gamble. “Urth Farms will once again be a tremendous resource to the community. Not only will we reinstate previous programs and services, we will be looking to develop additional Community Supported Agriculture Programs, CSA trade for labor programs, as well as educational and volunteer programs.”
New Britain Mayor, Erin Stewart shared the city’s enthusiasm over the farm’s recent development stating, “After months of negotiations I am excited the folks at b Restaurants are keeping the farm alive. Urth Farms will be a great addition to our New Britain community. The level of cooperation between the city, Al Gamble of b Restaurants, and prior owner, Elmo Aiudi shows anything is possible. I am proud that residents will continue to have access to fresh foods and even prouder that this once struggling urban farm has been saved!”
While the name may be new, there are still many of the old faces still involved with Urth Farms. Long-time founding farmer, Mike Kandefer, who along with Tony Norris, began farming this land in 1999, will remain on as farm manager. Ms. Jane Beup, Executive Director to Urth Farm quotes, “We are passionate about the organic food movement and building community. The farm is a truly unique resource. It is our number one priority that the farm thrives and remains a community resource.” Beup, a communications and development professional, has spent the past decade working extensively in the nonprofit community with clients in Boston, Hartford and New York City.
To launch into it’s new life, Urth Farms will host its first annual Urth Farms Spring Seedling Sale, scheduled to take place over four consecutive weekends, May 20th to June 12th, or while supplies last.
Urth Farms is located at 225 Oak Street in New Britain, CT 06051. The organic farm is home to 7 greenhouses that operate year round. It is a member of the North Oak Neighborhood Revitalization Zone, the New Connecticut Farmer Alliance, CT NOFA, and the Northeast Organic Farming Association of Connecticut. For Urth Farms hours of operations please call 860-357-2075.
