Mission Statement

Milwaukee Urban Gardens acquires and preserves land and partners with neighborhood residents to develop and maintain community gardens to enhance the quality of life.

History

Community Gardens have been a historical presence in Milwaukee since World War I. Today, however, they are an endangered species. Over the last twenty years, Milwaukee County has lost over 60% of its garden plots to pressures of development - jeopardizing the quality of life for future generations of Milwaukeeans. In many neighborhoods, new developments are quickly swallowing any remaining vacant parcels, resulting in little open green space left in urban neighborhoods.

Milwaukee Urban Gardens was founded in 2000 by a group of individuals who were advocating for the long term protection of community gardens in urban Milwaukee.

The organization currently holds titles to four properties: Greenfolks Garden in Riverwest; Village Roots Garden in Bay View; Hocking Heritage and Spencer Garden, both on the Northwest side of Milwaukee.

Board of Directors

President

Venice Williams

Executive Director
SeedFolks Youth Ministry

 

Vice-President

Anthony Lyons
Freelance Carpenter

 

Secretary

Julie Ruplinger
Owner of Moksha Designs

Co-founder of Off the Grid Milwaukee

 

Treasurer

Mary Beth Driscoll
Executive Director

Groundwork Milwaukee

 

Members:

Caroline Carter

Certified Raw Foods Chef, Co-Owner

Eden's Market

 

Judy Fassbender

Senior Assoiciate

Bloom Companies, LLC

 

Wendy Mesich

Co-founder ofOff The Grid Milwaukee

 

Claire Moore

Business Owner, Pilates Instructor

Pink House Studio

Pamela Schaefer

Attorney

Reinhart, Boerner and Van Deuren

 

Jacqueline Ward

Manager

Business Improvement District 32

 

Staff:

Executive Director

Erin Kanuckel
(414) 431-1585
erin@milwaukeeurbangardens.org

 

Program Director

Jacki Walczak

(414) 431-1585

jwalczak@milwaukeeurbangardens.org