GROWHOUSE
Growhouse Urban Agriculture Center (GUAC)
Transforming Vacant Lots into Living Classrooms
est. 2008
Growhouse Urban Agriculture Center (GUAC) reimagines what a city block can be—turning vacant land into a living classroom for sustainability, science, art, and community. In the heart of downtown Phoenix, Growhouse transforms once-empty lots into thriving green spaces that blend urban farming, environmental education, and creative collaboration. Rooted in the Roosevelt Row Arts District, it brings people together to explore how food, art, and STEM learning intersect.
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On the grounds, the 1920s bungalow houses GROWop, an artist and maker co-op that showcases locally crafted goods and serves as a creative anchor for the space. Together, Growhouse and GROWop embody the spirit of Roosevelt Row—where art, entrepreneurship, and social impact grow side by side.
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Each week, volunteers, students, and neighbors gather to cultivate the garden, care for bees, compost food waste, and share harvests through farm-to-table dinners and community events. Growhouse operates as both a working urban farm and a hands-on learning lab—supplying local restaurants and shelters with fresh produce while teaching sustainability, urban ecology, and environmental science.
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At its core, Growhouse isn’t just about growing food—it’s about growing connection. It proves that even in the desert, life can flourish when people come together with creativity, curiosity, and care for their community.
CULTIVEAT
A Farm-To-Table Community Dinner
est. 2014
CultivEAT is a beloved farm-to-table dining experience that brings people together around food, art, and sustainability. Born in the Roosevelt Row Arts District of downtown Phoenix, CultivEAT transforms local spaces into open-air dining rooms where chefs, artists, musicians, and community members gather to celebrate the creative spirit of the city.
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Each dinner features locally sourced ingredients from Arizona farms, paired with live music, art installations, and conversations that connect guests to the people and places behind their food. Residents, business owners, local leaders, and community builders all share the table—fostering collaboration, supporting local agriculture, and strengthening the local food system.
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Hosted by Growhouse Urban Agriculture Center, the 6th annual and most recent CultivEAT Dinner—presented by the Phoenix Biomedical Campus—featured a four-course menu designed to promote a healthy immune system, created in collaboration with Dr. Farshad Fani Marvasti (Dr. Shad) and culinary curator Wayne Coats. The chef team—Celeste “Elle” Caraway Murtagh (The Coronado), John Cornelio (Toduken), Jose Jimenez (Little Miss BBQ), and Shane Jackson—crafted dishes using ingredients from local farms including Crooked Sky Farms, True Garden, Southwest Mushrooms, and TJ Farms, with drinks by Buena Vida Bodega, Pedal Haus Brewery, and Arizona Stronghold. The evening supported vital community initiatives like the Phoenix Food Co-op and the University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix’s Culinary Medicine program.
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Though rooted in Phoenix, CultivEAT continues to evolve—popping up in new places, uniting communities through shared meals, and reminding us that good food has the power to grow connection, spark creativity, and nourish both people and place.
CHILE PEPPER FEST
Fundraiser Festival benefiting Roosevelt Row CDC & GUAC
2012 - 2017
The Chile Pepper Festival was a beloved annual event that celebrated the fiery flavors of the Southwest for six years in the heart of Downtown Phoenix's Roosevelt Row Arts District. This festival featured an array of chile-themed dishes prepared by over 25 local restaurateurs, accompanied by live music, salsa dancing lessons, and Navajo cooking demonstrations. Attendees, including residents, business owners, local leaders, and food enthusiasts, participated in the Chile Pepper Challenge and enjoyed a vibrant mix of mariachis, talent shows, art installations, and kid-friendly activities. The event supported the Roosevelt Growhouse Community Garden, promoting urban agriculture, sustainability, and community engagement, as well as the Roosevelt Row Community Development Corporation, fostering the arts and cultural development, promoting community engagement, and supporting small businesses in the Roosevelt Row Arts District of Downtown Phoenix. Each year, the festival celebrated the rich culinary & artistic traditions of the region, fostering a sense of community and cultural appreciation.
