Build Trybe, DeLaSalle, BCBS Partner to Build an Urban Farm

An Urban Farm Coming to Kansas City, From Build Trybe, DeLaSalle, and BCBS

When Theo Bunch sees an empty acreage in the Troost corridor, he sees chickens, goats, and plenty of fresh produce.

Build Trybe, DeLaSalle Education Center, and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas City are working together to make that vision a reality on the DeLaSalle Campus. On October 28, the three organizations announced an urban farm will be built on that site to grow produce, which will be available to the community.

“This project will be completely led by DeLaSalle students,” Theo said. “They will lead the design and management of the farm.”

Theo Bunch talking about the urban farm coming to the DeLaSalle campus

Students will work with KEM Architects and the KU School of Architecture to design the space. Plans are to break ground before the students leave for the Christmas holiday break, which will begin preparations for planting in the spring. “This is an opportunity for our students to get their hands in the earth,” said DeLaSalle Executive Director Sean Stalling. “They will have a chance to build an urban farm.”

This project fits perfectly into Build Trybe’s Seed to Plate program, which grows produce on the Ozanam Campus and shares it for meals at Ozanam and Gillis, Farm to Table dinners, and to teach about nutrition and help apprentices build culinary skills. Build Trybe will provide help in working the farm along with many expected volunteers. And, yes, the farm is expected to include goats.

The harvest of those efforts will provide fresh produce to the students and the community, which will benefit from nutritious fruits and vegetables. That’s why Blue Cross Blue Shield of KC is involved in the project. Director of Community Health Rebecca Anderson said one in seven people in Kansas City has food insecurity.

“If you don’t have access to food and especially healthy fruits and vegetables, you’re not going to be able to show up to school and be able to think well; you’re not going to feel well,” Rebecca said. “It impacts things like your behavioral health.”

Look for future articles about the progress of the DeLaSalle Urban Farm.