On Saturday, Sept. 18, the Columbia Center of Urban Agriculture organized its 12th annual Harvest Hootenanny. Citizens of Columbia were greeted by laughter on the playground, a long line of people spanning across the pavilion and an array of colorful hula hoops twirling on the pavement.

The environmentally-friendly event featured rows of bikes, compostable food containers and “the green team” holding bags for recyclable items so trash didn’t end up in a landfill. Everyone from children to older people could be found at the event. It was a place where like-minded members of the community gathered to celebrate the growing season and local, urban agriculture. All food was grown and sourced locally according to CCUA volunteer Zia Kelly. 

“[Local food] puts a lot less pressure on the supply chain and cuts spending costs of gas and resources,” Kelly said. “There was a concerted effort to make the event more sustainable. Many folks in Columbia grew up in farming communities or families. And maybe it’s because we are a university town, but there is a large understanding of the importance of sustainability and food production. I take pride that I’m a part of a community that really, really cares about its footprint.”

In 2021, the harvest brought the CCUA over 30,000 pounds of produce according to CCUA Executive Director Billy Polansky. At every corner of the pavilion, attendees were reminded of the idea that food unites the community. As a result, citizens can become more aware of the skill and effort that goes into every bite as they chow down on a meal prepared by students at the Columbia Area Career Center’s culinary arts program.

“CCUA is pretty amazing with all the stuff they do for the community, especially growing food for the food bank,” three-year CCUA volunteer Grace Rehnolds said. “You got to give back for places that give.”

The CCUA’s mission is to provide healthy, good food for all and highlight the skills necessary to grow it. CCUA are champions of youth, veterans and low-income families. They involve the community in the food process, from the seed to one’s plate, by growing food for the food pantry, teaching others how to cultivate food, encouraging youth to garden and connecting the community to its agriculture roots.

Every penny raised at the fundraiser goes directly to the food pantry, as the CCUA turns money into food. It was an opportunity for attendees to think about where their food comes from. Columbia Ward 2 Council Member Andrea Waner made an appearance and encouraged people to reach out to their board members with their passions and concerns. 

“[The Harvest Hootenanny is] a really good community-building event,” Harvest Hootenanny attendee Austin DeHaven said. “So, I’m here to support the community and local businesses.”

This year, the event was held at Columbia Agriculture Park from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. The change in location from years past, CCUA’s urban farm, gave more opportunity for social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic while adapting to the increase of attendees. The CCUA also enforced a mask policy while under the pavilion.

“[The location change] has allowed them to expand and bring a lot more things into this event,” DeHaven said. “I like that we can space out because [the CCUA farm] was a little compact.”

The Harvest Hootenanny itself was free, but food, drinks, raffles and carnival games were also available for purchase. The sunset acted as a backdrop for local entertainment such as Mobile Funk Unit, Jabberwocky Studios, Violet Vonder Haar, Phylshawn Johnson, Mercer & Johnson and Chump Change Blues Band. The variety of music ranged from twangy acoustic bands to soulful jazz. 

“[The local, live entertainment] was super fun,” Kelly said. “There were bands like Mercer & Johnson who played every Hootenanny, so it’s interesting that folks have that to look forward to. It almost solidifies it as a community institution.”

Following the success of the Harvest Hootenanny, the CCUA will begin to set up for the upcoming Veterans Urban Farm Open House on Oct. 8, where Legacy Beef will donate burgers and hotdogs for the BBQ for veterans and their families.

Edited by Shannon Worley | sworley@themaneater.com