Relocating St. Joseph Farm to Burns Park
Following the loss of the historic St Joseph Orphanage site, St. Joseph Farm aims to establish a new home at the Burns Park old RV campground. This move supports an expanded horticultural and recreational gardening mission featuring community gardens, pollinator habitats, a food forest, and walking trails to create a unique hybrid space for education and recreation in Central Arkansas.
Educating and empowering Arkansans to grow food, grow farmers, and grow community
Our Mission & Vision
Through hands-on classes, garden-based learning, and farmer training, we help people of all ages discover the joy of growing fresh, healthy food and the skills to share it.
Community Gardens & Growing Spaces
With 100 garden beds available, this project provides North Little Rock residents space to grow their own food, while a food forest and pollinator habitat build out a resilient, layered landscape designed to support local biodiversity.
- Expanded community garden plots (replacing the former RV campground)
- Food forest planting
- Pollinator habitat & restored native plantings
- Future butterfly conservatory
Outdoor Education
Programming is designed to offer horitultural skill training for all ages. Educational high tunnels extend the growing season and double as teaching spaces, while outdoor classrooms bring structured outdoor education directly into the garden. Junior Master Naturalist training will also be offered.
- Hands-on horticulture classes for all ages
- Educational high tunnels for season-extended growing & teaching
- Outdoor classroom spaces
- Junior Naturalist training classes
Environmental Stewardship
The project aims to promote sustainable growing practices, protect pollinator species, and restore native habitat to enhance biodiversity within Burns Park. Green infrastructure and stewardship workshops build environmental literacy and give residents practical tools to support resilient local ecosystems.
- Environmental stewardship workshops
- Green infrastructure (sustainable site design & practices)
- Native habitat restoration
- Pollinator garden
- Programming focused on environmental literacy
Trails & Green Space
This project keeps Burns Park accessible and recreational. Walking paths connect the site's growing spaces, habitat areas, and gathering spots, maintaining the park as a destination for recreation, learning, and nature appreciation. Trails will be maintained in collaboration with Central Arkansas Master Naturalists.
- Walking paths maintained by CAMN
- Maintained park accessibility for the public
- Recreation alongside active growing space
Community Space
The "third" place, coined by sociologist Ray Oldenburg, refers to any kind of gathering space that is accessible & allows for an oppurtunity to facilitate a sense of community. These spaces, such as coffee shops or public libaries, are a hub for social connection.
Recent research has revealed a significant relationship between agricultural activities & increased feelings of lonliness. The Visitor Center, pavilion, farmers market, free events, and oppurtunties for volunteering create an accessible destination for community gathering, supporting social connection among growers.
