Oak Forest Community Garden
Oak Forest Community Garden (OFCG) is a nonprofit community garden located within the University District at 2600 S. Monroe St., bordering the Fair Park and Midtown Neighborhoods. As the main supporter of the community garden, the UDDC actively assists in securing grants, programming and additional support to help garden operations run smoothly. Since 2021, the UDDC has had a full-time garden manager at Oak Forest Community Garden to tend to maintenance, grow crops for sale and donation, and assist in the development and implementation of programs, events, and operations of the garden.
OFCG provides more than 30 raised beds for rental by community members ($30 for one bed for the calendar year). Active members are able to grow their own produce and participate in educational and community events that take place at the garden.
OFCG Mission Statement
Our mission at Oak Forest Community Garden is to provide the community with opportunities to grow their own fresh produce, benefit from a local farmers’ market each Saturday from May–Oct., and to provide education and outreach for kids, adults and everyone in between. We pride ourselves in our access to quality local produce and supporting the development of urban teaching gardens.
University District Farmers’ Market
OFCG hosts the weekly University District Farmers’ Market from May–October every year, providing a source of freshly grown produce to the area. The University District Farmers’ Market accepts SNAP/EBT payments and offers the Double Up Food Bucks promotion, where shoppers can receive half-off their total purchase (up to $40 total) if they use their SNAP card.
Community Partnerships
As part of its goals in serving the community, OFCG and the UDDC has partnered with other area nonprofit organizations including Apple Seeds and Be Mighty Little Rock, among others.
Apple Seeds
Apple Seeds provides educational field trips to the garden for first and second-grade students in the Little Rock Public School District and Pulaski County Special School District. Students receive high-quality, level-appropriate education in plant identification, gardening and nutrition, as well as hands-on activities like seed planting, harvesting, and preparing a snack using garden-grown produce.
Be Mighty Little Rock
Be Mighty Little Rock, an anti-hunger initiative, stocks the “Little Free Pantry” in front of the garden, which provides free nonperishable items and food to anyone in need. Additionally, they support the community by providing information and setting up a table at the University District Farmers’ Market.
Partners
Further partnership support has come from grants and donations from:
Urban Patchworks
By The Numbers
3,350+
lbs
Since 2021, OFCG has donated more than 3,350 lbs of fresh garden produce to University District-area food pantries and partner organizations.
2,300+
Students
Since Fall 2023, in partnership with Apple Seeds, OFCG has welcomed more than 2,300 area first- and second-grade students for educational programming at the garden.
5,000+
Seedlings
OFCG has donated more than 5,000 plant seedlings to partner organizations and other community, school, and church-affiliated gardens in the Little Rock area.
37
Raised Beds
Over the last several years, OFCG has expanded the number of raised bed gardens it offers to community members from 23 to the current total of 37 beds.
2x
Garden Growth
Thanks to the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance and the Love, Tito’s Foundation, OFCG has doubled the square footage of the garden under cultivation.
500+
Volunteer Hours
Thanks to generous community support, OFCG has logged more than 500 hours of volunteer help over the last two years.
Events
Get Involved
Volunteer
Volunteer at Oak Forest Community Garden
Contact Mark Nelson via email mnelson2@ualr.edu or call 501-295-9429 for opportunities and details.
Donate
Support Oak Forest Community Garden through a donation to the UDDC.
