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"Expanding our brand and empowering the community through volunteer service and education."
he owner Mike McMahon’s plan for Agave Environmental Contracting (AEC) is to be an important part of the community and to create an agricultural element in the cities and state we live in. His unique perspective as an urban farmer, and sustainability expert is expanding our brand and empowering downtown Phoenix and Maricopa County communities in a unique way.
Part of this plan was leasing a 17-acre farm and nursery in the heart of Phoenix where we sponsor community gardening for Native Health, International Rescue Society, schools, and churches. We work with these groups by giving them land and water to raise crops for their respective organizations. We also give them a venue to hold meetings for further education within their own groups. We use this venue as well for agricultural education, and to serve as a food distribution access during difficult times like COVID-19. We also allow other non-profit organizations to use this venue for meetings and educational events. Agave Farms continues to make a tremendous difference in downtown Phoenix. To learn more about Agave Farms, please visit www.agave-farms.com.
AEC and Mike’s newest endeavor is starting Urban Farming Education (UFE). This nonprofit is changing food scarcity through education. It is set up to continue to educate people in growing their own food to aid in food insecurity and mobilizing agriculture opportunities throughout the Valley. Urban Farming Education has designed programs that educate others in building their own gardens for sustenance, ecotherapy, social impact and urban farming for profit. We specifically work with schools, domestic violence shelters, homeless shelters, foster care prevention centers, and the disabled and elderly. Urban Farming Education has built seven gardens to date, including three schools, one foster facility, two domestic violence shelters and one kitchen in a church that feeds the homeless. Urban Farming Education has a set goal of building 1,000 gardens in the next five years.
Urban Farming Education has designed programs that educate others in building their own gardens for sustenance, ecotherapy, social impact and urban farming for profit.
Urban Farming Education also works with other like-minded organizations like Fresh Food Collaboration to address food access issues. By working with other organizations, we organize food drives that help serve the homeless, disabled veteran, and people in domestic violence shelters. Urban Farming Education along with these organizations also assists families and individuals by providing nutritious and waste-free boxes to school districts, agencies, and organizations in need. To donate, be a volunteer or read articles about Urban Farming Education visit www.weareufe.org for more information.
