In the downtown urban landscape of Salt Lake City, there’s a unique space where a one-acre organic farm is making a difference far beyond what meets the eye. This farm — led by James Loomis, Director of Agricultural Operations for Wasatch Community Gardens, and Amber Nichols, Farm Manager– is transforming lives while growing food.
I had the opportunity to sit down with Loomis to hear more about his journey and the impact of the Wasatch farm on the community.
A certified organic urban farm with a purpose
Loomis describes the farm as more than just a place for growing vegetables — it’s a certified organic farm with a mission to give back to the community and uplift those experiencing homelessness, particularly women. As he explains, the farm is part of the Wasatch Community Gardens Network, which operates 19 community gardens and various educational programs around Salt Lake City. These initiatives are geared toward helping people learn about growing and enjoying local food.
The farm’s primary mission is to provide mentorship and jobs for women experiencing homelessness.
“These women make up the farm team,” Loomis shared, “and we leverage that naturally therapeutic experience of being close to nature, being part of a team, and growing food.”
It’s a setting where individuals who have often been on the receiving end of others’ generosity can now take an active role in giving back, creating a shift that is both empowering and transformative.
A model for community engagement and healing
The farm’s impact extends beyond its own borders through the plants it produces. Every year, Wasatch Community Gardens grows around 40,000 seedlings and 3,000 edible perennials, which go out to support some 3,000 gardens across the community.
“Think about the impact of 3,000 gardens around the city,” Loomis remarked. “A fresh tomato in August handed over the fence to your neighbor — that rebuilds bridges. That heals old wounds.”
In addition to the women who work on the farm, a diverse range of people participate in volunteer programs — from veterans to youth at risk, and even individuals with careers far removed from agriculture.
“We get a lot of volunteer groups, and it’s amazing when we get those sensitive little cubicle hands on a shovel and a wheelbarrow,” Loomis said with a laugh. After a day in the sun, these volunteers often leave sweaty, dirty, and full of gratitude, asking when they can come back.
From fine furniture to full-time farmer
Loomis’ journey to urban farming is as unique as the work he does. Before joining Wasatch Community Gardens, he spent 15 years working in fine furniture, while farming as a hobby. A turning point came in 2014 when he had the opportunity to move his family to a farm in Idaho, quitting his job to pursue his passion full-time.
Although rural life didn’t work out for his family, Loomis found his ideal role soon after returning to the city, when he joined Wasatch Community Gardens in Salt Lake City.
“The job posting read like my resume,” he noted, and it allowed him to combine his love for farming with his drive to make a social impact.
The business of giving back: How Wasatch Farm stays afloat
One of the unique aspects of the Wasatch farm is its financial model. Wasatch Community Gardens is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, funded by private donors, grants, and foundations. Wasatch Community Gardens covers the farm’s operating costs and the wages of the women who work there. All produce grown on the farm is donated to low-income families, shelters, and permanent supportive housing facilities, with a focus on providing fresh, healthy food to kids in need.
The farm operates what Loomis calls a “Free-SA” — a playful spin on the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) model. Instead of money, the farm asks for smiles, high fives, and dad jokes as payment.
“A lot of folks in poverty are used to getting leftover or discarded produce. We want to change that and give them fresh, top-shelf produce,” Loomis said.
Pop-up stands with playful price lists add a sense of normalcy and dignity to the experience, while engaging the community.
The healing power of nature
For Loomis, one of the most rewarding aspects of his work is witnessing the transformation of the women who join the farm team. Over 90 women have participated in the program since its inception in 2016, with an impressive 80 percent success rate in helping them secure jobs and housing. Loomis attributes much of this success to the therapeutic power of nature.
“When we’re gardeners, we might say, ‘Look what I did,’ but really, nature did it. We’re just there to give it a little nudge,” he reflected.
For those who visit the farm, the experience is often transformative as well. As they step from the busy streets into the farm, they are greeted by a sense of calm, joy, and community. And when volunteers put their hands to the soil, they gain a new appreciation for the effort it takes to grow food.
“Work can look a lot like play when you’ve got the right music, smiles, and high fives,” Loomis said, highlighting the farm’s philosophy of joy and engagement.
Spreading the seeds of change
The story of Wasatch Community Gardens urban farm is one of hope, resilience, and community. By using farming as a tool for social change, Loomis and his team are fostering connections that go beyond the garden bed. They’re helping women rebuild their lives, teaching volunteers the value of hard work, and providing fresh, healthy food to those who need it most.
If you’re inspired by this story and want to learn more, visit Wasatch Community Gardens to find out how you can support their mission or volunteer.
As Loomis says, “A handful of smiles will ripple out and create lasting change.”
Michelle Miller, the Farm Babe, is a farmer, public speaker, and writer who has worked for years with row crops, beef cattle, and sheep. She believes education is key in bridging the gap between farmers and consumers.
