About Us

We are individuals that have come together because we believe there are more responsible and loving ways of existence in our current world.

New Roots challenges our current food systems by practicing alternative urban agriculture models, teaching and working with young people through food production and cooking, and feeding and nourishing ourselves and our communities.

We are here because we believe that in order to create a more ecologically-sound lifestyle we must create radical systems that actively oppose the dominant capitalist model of exploitation and oppression. Instead of further human expansion to our diminishing natural areas, we strive to reclaim abandoned urban areas in order to create a model and community rooted in sustainability, evolution, love, and justice.

We work towards this by creating alternatives to our current food, housing, and transportation systems. We hope to further this by creating responsible alternatives to our current health and family structures as well. The urban farm is our main project that brought us together. We support the farm and in turn we are supported by the farm. We see the current exploitation and toxification of our soil and food sources as most threatening to our bodies and communities.

Meet the Collective Members

Antajuan Adams was born and raised in the neighborhood where New Roots is located.  Unlike most kids raised in the city of St.Louis, Antajuan was exposed to gardening at a young age by Sister Mary Anne McGivern and Tim Pakrek.  They instilled on him early that gardening is important and FUN.  This translated into having a love for nature and animals as a kid and teenager.  When Antajuan became a home owner, he continued this love with the garden in his backyard.

Mina Aria (they/them) grew up in rural Oklahoma and comes from a family of Iranian and Korean immigrants. They moved to St. Louis a decade ago and have since strived to support community efforts around food sovereignty and land justice. Mina also cares deeply for the Palestinian liberation cause and organizes locally and nationally around the issue.