831 W. State | Springfield, Missouri 65806
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Why Urban Farming?
Our Story
We strive to provide local food to people of all income levels, to educate and provide instruction to our community and its children on growing natural food locally.

Hello we are Melissa and Adam Millsap. We were both born and raised in Springfield Missouri. Here is a little bit about our backgrounds, and why we feel strongly about local food production.

We both grew up with families who gardened, and have fond memories of playing, working, and snacking in our gardens. These memories have grown fonder since adulthood has taught us weeding the garden is much more enjoyable than a real job. The connection to our food passed to us by working alongside our parents in the family garden and by visiting our Grandparents farms, helps us to see there is a lack of food awareness starting with our generation and growing worse with younger generations. More and more, people don’t know where their food came from, or how it was treated before they purchased it at the grocery store. Unless there is a sticker on it saying where it was grown or certifying it's organic, it’s really hard to know.

Through our urban farm we want the opportunity to stand in front of people, look them in their eyes, and tell them, “I grew this, and I grew it naturally, so I know this is good for me and my family, and it is good for you and your family.” We want to have a relationship with the people who buy food from us. This type of relationship is not very feasible when the produce that we buy travels 1500 miles (as it often does) before it reaches our plates. We believe local food allows people to know exactly what they are eating.

In the spring of 2009 Adam was laid off from his job at a local stainless steel processor which reported sales of over 200 million dollars only the year before. This really brought home the fragility of the economic system most of us depend on to pay the bills. With a heightened awareness about how quickly the rug can be pulled out from under you, we began to see the importance of local food in guaranteeing adequate nutrition for all people. We believe local food, and gardening education can improve food security and quality of life for all.

Melissa has been a stay at home mom since 2006, and loves the time she spends caring for our two beautiful children, Béla and Owen. However she also feels it is important to follow her passion and make her own way.

Adam is attending college in pursuit of a business degree, and picking up work where he can find it. He looks forward to working on the farm, and spending more time caring for the kids.

We have always been dreamers, and now feel we have a dream that must be realized. Fortunately following the dream of farming will greatly benefit our children, and our community. We hope to bestow upon them, the same lessons and appreciation our parents gave to us through their love of raising their own food.

Playing in the dirt is good for your soul.

Urban Roots Farm - Springfield, Missouri