Community Corner

Homesteading in University City

University City homeowner featured on Sunday's first annual Sustainable Backyard Tour.

What started out as a family garden for University City resident Jeri Villarreal has blossomed into a working urban farm.

On Sunday, a steady stream of people made their way to Villarreal's house in the 7500 block of Ahern Avenue to view her backyard, as part of the first annual Sustainable Backyard Tour. More than 30 homes across the St. Louis region were on the tour, which was sponsored by The Gateway Gardner Magazine, Native Pollinator.com and Isabee's and Maud's Market.

Two year's ago the Villarreal's started transforming their property into an urban farm, with the goal of growing enough food for the family and to sell.

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"We are trying to grow food on every inch of land and utilizing structures that we have," said the Villarreal's.

The front of the house boasts baskets of tomatoes, strawberries, edible pansies and flowering herbs. The backyard features 12 vegetable beds, dwarf orchard trees and a compost bin. The family also keeps chickens, which provide eggs year-round.

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To learn more about the Villarreal Family Farm click here.


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