Our Mission
Our Vision
Create food independence in North Casper to empower a self-reliant community
Working with our community, we will build a local, sustainable urban farm & community space focused on affordable year-round food access
Our Goals
Community
Strengthening the community through the exchange of lived knowledge and life experience
We will accomplish this by working side by side with our neighbors to learn from and create sustainable solutions for the needs of North Casper and our community at large
Provide a space to gather as a community
We will accomplish this by renovating the former North Casper Elementary School into various public spaces that serve our mission
Food
Intentionally cultivating nutritious produce that is affordable, equitable, and community-informed
We will accomplish this by providing reliable and desirable food through mindful practices, innovative farming solutions, and meaningful community engagement
Education
Empower the community to become active and informed participants in the food system
We will accomplish this by creating opportunities for experiential learning for all ages, abilities, and backgrounds
OUR STAFF
Jamie Purcell
Farm Manager
Jamie is a life long Wyomingite.
Never content with "that's just the way it is" Jamie has devoted her life to changing the way things are done.
She's a dreamer, and then acts on the dream - fearlessly building on ideas and dreams to make them a reality - for the better of the community.
David Prichett
Farm Technician
David s originally from Philly Pennsylvania. He received a degree in Environmental Science and Applied Statistics from RIT.
David came to UTF after an AmeriCorps term, when DOGE cut his year of service short. Originally part of Green Bean 1 , David loved the farm so he decided to stay and we are grateful he did. David's drive to get things done is contagious and has been a driving force behind how much we have accomplished in the first year of the farm.
Lila Wieclaw
Farm Technician
Lila is originaly from Buffalo, NY. She recieved a degree in Music Education from (some nowhere school?).
Lila came to UTF after DOGE cut AmeriCorps - where she was a Team Leader.
Lila's kind heart and ability to see from other points of view makes her an ideal part of the Farm Team.
Plus, she drives the Gator like a boss!
Steve Lovelace
Master Gardener
Steve is the GOAT
A retired math teacher turned Garden Guru.
Steve has made a huge impact through out Casper at a variety of community gardens and spaces.
We're proud to have Steve dovote his current time to become a crucial asset to our mission at Urban Thistle Farm.
We named the Steve and Mary Lovelace Community Garden in honor of the wide reaching impact Steve (and his wife Mary) have made to Casper, Wy.
Our Story
How we started
Kim Summerall-Wright is the CEO and chief Dreamer of the concept of Urban Thistle. She even came up with the name!
Kim had a dream, in 2012, about an ambitious undertaking to benefit the entire state and address food access. She recruited Jamie, who has worked in North Casper for much of her career, to help make this dream a reality.
In Fall 2024, Earth 7, our first AmeriCorps team arrived to do some work! The ground was bare, the mulch was in giant piles, and there were no North Domes. But they got to work and started the farm!
In spring 2025, Green Bean 1 arrived, fresh from their AmeriCorps term of service. This team did a tremendous amount of work that allowed for our first succesful growing season in the community garden. They renovated the old school enough to become a multi-use space. And they finsihed setting up our 2nd, 3rd, and 4th, geodomes!
In winter 2026, Axolotyl 2, another AmeriCorps Team arrived, with their help we were able to take our vision even further!!!
Where will the future take us?