Deep Roots Community Planning Workshop Final Presentation: A Celebration of community-engaged design
The final presentation event for the Spring 2025 Community Planning Workshop (CPW) on Monday, May 5, at Deep Roots CPS Farm was a resounding success. It brought together students, community partners, and local food enthusiasts for an inspiring showcase of community-engaged design.
The event, held at the Black-owned Deep Roots CPS Farm in Northwest Charlotte, featured student presentations of their design proposals for the farm’s expansion. The proposals were the culmination of a semester-long project where students worked closely with Deep Roots to develop innovative solutions that support the farm’s mission and address the community’s needs.
A highlight of the event was a farm-to-table meal prepared by renowned Charlotte chef Greg Collier. The meal featured fresh, seasonal ingredients sourced directly from Deep Roots CPS Farm, providing a delicious and tangible connection to the project’s focus on sustainable agriculture and local food systems.
The students’ presentations were met with great enthusiasm from Deep Roots farm owners Wisdom and Cherie Jzar, and community partners, who offered valuable feedback and engaged in lively discussions about the future of urban farming in Charlotte. The event exemplified the power of community-engaged design to foster collaboration, promote social equity, and create positive change within our city.
The CPW course and this event are part of the “Roots of Change” initiative, a Gambrell Faculty Fellowship-supported project that seeks to strengthen the connections between Charlotte residents and their local ecologies. By partnering with Deep Roots CPS Farm, the project aims to support sustainable agriculture, promote food justice, and empower communities through hands-on design and planning.
Click here to read more about the 2025 Gambrell Faculty Fellows and learn more about the faculty research supported by the Gambrell Foundation.
Please enjoy photos from the event in the gallery below.
