Help Save Urban Prairie Agriculture—A Vital Community Food S

I know what it’s like to be hungry—to feel that gnawing emptiness and wonder where the next meal will come from. I know the helplessness of looking into my kids’ eyes, not knowing how I’ll feed them. I also know that food insecurity isn’t just about hunger—it’s about dignity, choice, and the ability to nourish our families with fresh, healthy food.

That’s why I started Urban Prairie Agriculture.

Today, I need your help. Urban Prairie Agriculture has reached a critical point. Without immediate financial support, our ability to feed our community, sustain small farmers, and keep fresh food accessible to those who need it most is at risk.

I am here, sharing my vision of hope for our communities. My name is Anne Dunaway. I own a company called Urban Prairie Agriculture. The mission of the company is:

Urban Prairie is building sustainable food systems that create equitable access to fresh local foods for all constituents, no matter their standing.

In short, that means I truly believe in a food system where everyone eats, and eats well. I have dedicated the last 5 years to this work.

I’d like to introduce you to some of the work I have done in that time. I have learned through my own experiences with poverty and food scarcity that our food system infrastructure has taken choice away from our citizens. I believe, so deeply, that if my neighbors had the choice and power in how food happens, they would never let my kids go hungry again. But they were as powerless as I was to help our community eat and stay healthy.

In 2019, I started my business in the garage of my townhouse as a low-income single mom of little kids, trying to do more than survive raising my kids. I wanted to thrive, but I didn’t want to thrive alone. I wanted my community to thrive with me. The vision in my heart is a food system that connects small local farms with our community through building infrastructure that small farms can thrive on.

In 2019, I began a hydroponic farm in the garage of my townhouse with the hopes of supporting myself while I developed food system programs to support our communities. I began selling at farmers markets and to restaurants. I was able to supplement my income with Uber here and there and make ends meet. When COVID came, I faced many challenges. I was able to pivot and begin selling to my neighbors who were having a hard time getting fresh foods at the store.

In 2021, I wrote a public land use plan. This plan was reviewed by several experts, including the Utah Department of Agriculture, contract attorneys, and more. After many revisions and legal advice, I asked many municipalities to participate. The city of Marriott-Slaterville invited the program to their city. This program manages 36 acres of vacant land owned by Marriott-Slaterville City. The land is now being used by several underprivileged and low-income farmers that are stable and sustainable into the future due to the low overhead burden. That program is about to begin its fourth successful season.

In 2023, I began creating food access in Weber County. After reviewing the successes and challenges of our first full year operating our small farm programs in Marriott-Slaterville, we were able to organize a strong plan for food access in Weber County. This program provides our small farmers with the opportunity to feed our most food-insecure populations in Weber County and get paid to do it. We are currently growing, producing, and delivering 1,600 lbs of local food weekly for free to 4 nonprofits. This food is created by 12 small local food producers who fall into the underprivileged category themselves. While the farmers are among the underprivileged and low-income community we serve, we can proudly say they are earning steady income from their efforts.

From 2019 to present, Urban Prairie Agriculture has participated in food programming at Greenwood Charter Academy. That is a charter school in Weber School District that practices the holistic education of students: health and wellness, community and environmental connectedness, and student-engaged learning. I have made fiscal and in-kind contributions to their programs. Along with free consulting and labor, I have supported their learning through farm tours, building garden programs, and more.

In 2024, I opened a hydroponic farm attached to a local foods grocery store in the heart of Ogden’s largest food desert. This area has a high rate of poverty and food insecurity. They lack access to food, even if they had the money to buy it. My hydroponic farm is capable of feeding fresh local foods to the entire area, along with local eggs, meat, dairy, honey, flour, vinegar, etc., all from other small farms.

I have many additional community accomplishments that involve supporting other small food businesses in their success. I have worked for a number of years to be a pillar to Ogden’s underserved communities. And not just a pillar, but someone who permanently solves the problems that poverty presents. Urban Prairie Agriculture is a company that acknowledges our obligation to the community we operate in.

My progress towards access to healthy local foods for all could crumble. I have reached the capacity and ability to do this without financial assistance from my community. My progress towards healthy food for all is in real jeopardy. I have gotten all this done without asking for donations or financial assistance. I have risked a lot personally, perhaps more than I should have. With a donation from you, I can continue growing equitable access to fresh local foods for everyone.

This isn’t just about food. It’s about community, justice, and making sure no one is left behind. I’ve dedicated my life to this work, but I can’t do it alone anymore.

Will you stand with me?