Urban Farming
Build a Career in Agriculture
KNOX is committed to encouraging and inspiring local farmers, who strengthen our food system and community.
What Will You Learn?
Through our Urban Farming program, farm-based entrepreneurs can learn how to grow and maintain local food systems, promoting sustainability, healthy eating, and community engagement.
Participants will develop technical and soft skills tailored to the challenges of agriculture, with the goal of meeting the demand for locally produced foods. They’ll have access to:
- In-ground/greenhouse growing space
- Seed packets
- Water
- Space at the KNOX Farmers Market
- 1:1 support from the Urban Farm Team
- Business classes and educational workshops (including classroom supplies)
- Book sign out
After completing the Urban Farming program, participants will be able to demonstrate the ability to utilize urban farming techniques, understand and consider food as a system, and work with and learn from other farmers in the local food system.
The Urban Farming Program
The program includes three levels of support for entrepreneurs with a farm-based business:
Level 1
Participants will graduate from the KNOX Urban Farming Program with a firm understanding of the basics of agriculture and the essential experience of growing produce. Program participants will have all necessary competencies to enter an entry-level position within the agricultural industry.
Level 2
The focus is to explore strategies for generating revenue, independent growth, and planning. Participants are offered independent growing spaces to explore what they’re interested in growing and develop business planning skills to determine how those crops fit into a business.
Level 3
As they develop and/or scale their agricultural business, while focusing on long-term sustainability, participants receive support including help refining a business plan based on their experience, acquiring licenses, permits, etc. to support their business, and identifying resources needed to sustain their business.
KNOX Farmers Market
Date: Every Monday, June 3rd – October 28th
Time: 3:30 PM – 6 PM
Where: KNOX, Inc. 75 Laurel Street, Hartford CT 06106
The KNOX Farmer’s Market acts as a connection point between our Urban Farming Program and the local community. Visit to show your support for our Urban Farmers as they develop their businesses and enjoy access to fresh, locally grown produce from Hartford!
Meet Our Farmers
Jasian Greens & More
Karen Parnther
Their Why: Providing healing, nutritious & vibrant foods to families of all ages.
Specialty Crops: Karen will be selling at the Farmers Market: Swiss chard, lettuce, kale, bok choy, tatsoi, chijimisai, hot and sweet peppers, scallions, eggplants, zucchini, cucumber, and yard long beans.
Farm with Me, LLC
Travis Stewart
Their Why: Empowering the community to have a deeper relationship with nature and its food.
Specialty Crops: Travis will be selling at the Farmers Market: Bokashi composting kits, biochar, seedlings, peppers, garlic, tomatoes, and more.
The Practical Hen Farm, LLC
Bridgette Bryan
Their Why: To provide my family and community with locally grown nutritious food.
Specialty Crops: Bridgette will be selling at the Farmers Market: Swiss Chard, bok choy, collards, tomato, onions, leeks, spinach, arugula, beets, peppers, herbs, and herbal teas.
Wonderbee Gardens
Melissa Emma
Their Why: Wonderbee Gardens is a Hartford based business that offers culinary and medicinal herbs, herbal tea blends and added value products. Wonderbee Gardens also serves the community as a demonstration herb garden and herbal learning/sharing center. The owner, Melissa Emma, has studied herbalism for over 20 years under various teachers and volunteered as a board member for various local herb associations. She holds a BS in Environmental Studies, an Advanced Master Gardener Certificate, and a Goodwin Conservation Master Naturalist Certificate; her professional experience is in horticulture and environmental education, Melissa hopes to continue lending her experience and skills to the service of her community.
Specialty Crops: Melissa will be selling at the Farmers Market: Fresh and dried herbs, tea blends.
Athenia’s Goddess Greens
Athenia Powell
Their Why: At Athenia’s Goddess Greens, more than ecological wellness is at hand. Athenia’s reason for growing, planting and harvesting is to teach and reach others who may also see the need for constant rejuvenation within our bodies and Earth. When growing we are reminded of our pure connection with the Mother Earth Plane. We welcome the overwhelming prospects needed, to have her rejoice with what we do as growers following in turn what she gives to us.
Specialty Crops: Athenia will be selling at the Farmers Market: Cucumber, flowers, tomato, peppers, collard greens, scallions, greens, eggplant, and culinary herbs.
Remedy Me Herbs
Felesha Ross
Their Why: More information to come!
Specialty Crops: Felesha will be selling at the Farmers Market: Pickled and canned goods, corn, yellow squash, bell peppers, lettuce, tomatoes, green cabbage, basil, cilantro, carrots, beets, and mint.
Isaac & Company
Alex Tsarkov
Their Why: As a Hartford resident, I would like to contribute locally grown produce to our community.
Specialty Crops: Alex will be selling at the Farmers Market: Sweet and hot peppers, and tomatoes.
No Foot Print
David Joseph
Their Why: More information to come!
Specialty Crops: David will be selling at the Farmers Market: Sweet rainbow peppers, eggplant, kale, bok choy, basil, lettuce, cilantro, and squash.
Green Man Farm
David Pontrelli
Their Why: I want to bring good food into the Hartford community and grow enough vegetables to eat my own produce year-round.
Specialty Crops: David will be selling at the Farmers Market: Swiss chard, grape tomatoes, spinach, peas, kohlrabi, zucchini, and patty pan squash okra, onions, carrots, leeks, radishes, and dill.
Interested in learning how to become an urban farmer?
Submit a request to get more info.
