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Kula Urban Farm will expand this season, spreading along Springwood Avenue.

The Turf, a farm without borders concept produced by manager Lisa Bagwell at right], will take root along with public interest in the project, according to a written statement.

“The initial plan is to plant the garden and maintain [it] for the public to use as they like; to sit, meet with each other, harvest produce, volunteer, and water,” said Bagwell, a well-known trash artist. “As we work to hire on a manager from the neighborhood, the site will continue to be mulched and planted.”

Founded in 2014, the Atkins Avenue farm, like the neighboring cafe by the same name, is a social enterprise program that provides paid on-site job training and food and plant education programs. Operated by Interfaith Neighbors to be viable west side businesses, both offer free food and produce to those in need.

The Turf is being developed on vacant land Interfaith Neighbors owns across Springwood Avenue from Kula Café, according to a spokesperson.

A Kula Farm open house, being held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday June 17, will offer more information about what’s to come this season at the Atkins Avenue farm.

“Our open house is to engage everyone and to show them what we’re doing, what we’re capable of and to get some sales,” manager Matt van Oosterhout said.

The event will feature a tour of the year-round greenhouse and outside seasonal beds, advice from Master Gardeners, the opportunity to buy produce and plants and participate in seed swaps. Refreshments will be served by the neighboring Kula Café, located at 1201 Springwood Ave.

“The farm is beautiful and I hope folks will join us at our open house,” said Roger Boyce, Interfaith Business Development Center director.

While the outside beds are cultivated in the non-winter months, the vertical hydroponic growing towers offers year round produce to local venues and residents. The produce includes, kale, collard greens, Asian greens, mustard greens, eight kinds of lettuce, basil, sorrel, herbs, and microgreens.

Kula’s year round customers include: Langosta Lounge, Seed to Sprout, CRDNL, Graze, Watermark, Taka, Grand Tavern, Talula’s, Moonstruck, Local 130, Russell & Bette’s, Cross & Orange, and Kitch Organic.

Last year the farm and café began hosting Farm to Table dinners. The BYOB events are situated in the midst of the urban farm with Kula Cafe’s paid hospitality trainees serving the five-course meals.

Kula Cafe is open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday to Friday, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, with delivery service available from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Kula Farm is open from 9 to 5 pm. Monday to Friday, and offers a neighborhood garden program from 10 a.m to 2 p.m. Saturdays.

For more information, visit www.kulacafe.org.

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