WHO WE ARE
The Hub of Prosperity is a 5-acre research and education farm located at the Edinburg First United Methodist Church. Managed by the UTRGV Center for Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Advancement and the UTRGV Agroecology Program, the Hub aims to be a regional model of a local, sustainable food system that encourages civic engagement and develops scientific capacity around food and agriculture while improving food self-reliance for the University and the local area community.
We welcome volunteers on Wednesdays and Saturday mornings from 8 am to 12 pm! Community members welcome!
Volunteers will help with weeding, bed preparation, seeding and transplanting, harvesting, and other seasonal farm activities.
For more information, contact Stephanie Kasper, M.S.
Follow us on Instagram!
RESEARCH.
We’re passionate about providing high quality, data-informed resources to help area farmers improve their economic and environmental sustainability. Current research projects at the Hub include:
Commercially available native plants and their potential as biodiversity conservation and soil health implements in South Texas agroecosystems - Katie Lavallee (MS candidate in AESS)
Sunnhemp’s effect on soil microbial communities - Roberto Reyna Oviedo (MS candidate in AESS)
Organic weed suppression techniques and their impacts on soil health – Hub Student Workers
Tomato trial comparing the performance of 26 varieties – Stephanie Kasper (MS in AESS/lab technician)
EDUCATION.
Our dedicated student workers learn about sustainable agriculture from start to finish. Their work is a hands-on education in irrigation systems, crop planning, soil fertility, weed suppression, harvesting, marketing, and more.
UTRGV COURSES
The Hub is an outdoor classroom for experiential learning about agriculture, agroecosystems, food systems and more.
BIOL 4429 Agroecology – field experiment on distance from woody habitat and insect communities
BIOL 6308 Plant‐Insect-Microbe Interactions – student research project comparing sunnhemp and sunflower insect communities
CESL 3301 Community Forestry – interactive lecture on fruit tree care and maintenance
Additional class visits and collaborations are welcome!
Reach out to Dr. Alex Racelis for more information.
COMMUNITY.
Student Groups
The UTRGV Environmental Awareness Club manages a 1/10 acre plot where they produce fruits, vegetables, and herbs for sale
URGV Greek organizations Delta Psi Alpha and Omega Delta Phi have held volunteer days for their members at the Hub
Tours
We have hosted farm tours for groups like the National Sustainable Agricultural Coalition
Farm to Table Orders
Seasonal produce is available for purchase through our online store October-June Orders are accepted Monday through Friday at 5 p.m.
Bagged orders are available for pickup at the EFUMC Church on Saturday mornings 10-11 a.m.
Extra veggies are distributed through the EFUMC food pantry
Research. Education. Community. openfoodnetwork.net/hub-of-prosperity/shop
