About Us
How We Got Started
In 1994, the University of Arkansas-Little Rock received a $1 million grant from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development to fund neighborhood revitalization projects and devoted a portion of the grant money towards the construction of Oak Forest Community Garden. The garden, which is on landed owned by the City of Little Rock and is part of the larger Curran Conway Park, was completed in 1996. In more recent years, the University District Partnership and the University District Development Corporation have joined as the main supporters of the garden, helping refurbish and improve infrastructure and increase the garden’s capacity to serve the community.
Our Mission
We pride ourselves in our access to quality local food and produce supporting the development of urban teaching gardens.
Our Programs
Organic Produce
We strive to grow produce using organic methods and encourage the community garden members to do the same with their raised beds. The produce grown in communal rows throughout the garden is never sprayed with herbicide, pesticide, or fungicide and we utilize only OMRI approved or related organic fertilizers.
Healthy Cooking
Through our partnerships including with the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance, UAMS, and others – we work on providing opportunities for healthy cooking programs to provide area residents and others with the chance to learn how best to use produce from the garden.
Education & Outreach
Oak Forest Community Garden collaborates with organizations such as Apple Seeds, Calm + Confidence, Urban Patchworks, and others to provide the garden space to be used as educational areas and outdoor classrooms for school age children and adults.