Gardens

Kids harvesting cabbage. text reads grassroots garden   Young girl holding an ear of corn and smiling. text reads youth farm  Kids harvesting corn and smiling. text reads seed to supper & gardening workshops.

Gardens program

FOOD for Lane County’s two gardens — the GrassRoots Garden and the Youth Farm — grow fresh nutritious food for distribution through the FFLC network of partner agencies while providing opportunities for youth and adults to grow, learn and contribute to their community. More than 2,000 children and youth visit the gardens each year, and youth and adults gain skills in gardening, nutrition, and community building.

Seed to Supper & Gardening Workshops:

  • Attend a Seed to Supper Class Series
    Seed to Supper™ is a free beginning vegetable gardening course that teaches participants how to garden on a budget. In this interactive class, participants gain new knowledge and skills to be able to start a garden and grow some of their own food. Trained and experienced volunteer educators teach the class primarily indoors with visits to on-site gardens when available.  Students who complete the course have access to a course booklet, seeds, organic compost and fertilizers and other goodies. Course topics:

    • Garden site and soil development
    • Garden planning
    • Planting a garden
    • Caring for a growing garden
    • Harvesting and using garden bounty
  • Attend a workshop
    Contact us for the latest schedule for workshops on beginning and advanced gardening skills.
  • Visit the gardens
    Schedule a field trip and service learning opportunity for your school, organization or business.

The GrassRoots Garden

Kids kneel and harvest cabbage.

The GrassRoots Garden is a 2.5-acre garden that includes a City of Eugene compost demonstration site and a full outdoor kitchen. FFLC staff maintain the GrassRoots Garden with help from thousands of children, youth and adult volunteers. Staff and OSU Lane County Extension Master Gardeners teach workshops and lead educational activities in the garden.

Where: 1465 Coburg Road, Eugene, OR 97401 (Behind St. Thomas Episcopal Church)
Volunteer hours: Winter (as of November 1): Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, 9am – 4pm – Ask for Merry or Zoë.

The Youth Farm

youth farm sign behind a large amount of fresh produce

The Youth Farm is a 5 acre urban educational farm and a work experience site for youth. Each year, community volunteers assist staff in growing over 100,000 pounds of organic produce, learning while growing. Each summer, a crew of teens works at the farm where they receive job skills and training in gardening, leadership, financial management and nutrition while growing food for FFLC and for a 100+ member Community Supported Agriculture Program and two produce stands.

Become a Youth Farm Adult Intern!

Position: Youth Farm Adult Intern, 3 positions available
Responsible To: Ted Purdy, Youth Farm Coordinator and Michaela Hammer, Field Coordinator
Length of Internship: March 1st-October 31st; 2 days/week (Tu & Th); 9-5
Intern Stipend: $2,450 total

The FOOD for Lane County (FFLC) Youth Farm is an innovative program that addresses hunger and malnutrition by promoting community and individual self-sufficiency. Interns work alongside youth, volunteers, and staff to grow food for FFLC, our Community Supported Agriculture Program (CSA) and our produce stands. FFLC interns also work with our Summer Leadership Program that focuses on helping teen participants gain essential job and life skills, while also learning about gardening and nutrition. FFLC interns will participate in all farm related activities and receive training to develop their roles as leaders.

FFLC values diversity of all kinds, and is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace where we learn from each other. We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome people of all different backgrounds, experiences, abilities and perspectives.

Full job description.

To apply: Please submit a letter detailing your interests and availability, a resume and contact information for one reference to Jen Anonia here. Positions will be open until filled.

 

Where: 705 Flamingo Avenue, Springfield, OR 97477
Volunteer hours:

  • February: Wednesday and Saturday, 10am – 4pm
  • March – November: Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, 9am – 4pm – Ask for Ted or Michaela
  • December and January: Closed to drop-in volunteers

 

  • Check out our farm stands
    Purchase our produce at our farm stands:

Thank you SELCO for the Selco SNAP Match Program!

youth farm stand advertisement

youth farm stands coupon - $2 off your purchase of $10 or more with coupon

 

Trillium Veggie RX in Association with the FFLC Youth Farm

veggie rx logo

Trillium Veggie Rx provides access to free fresh fruits and vegetables to a pilot group of Trillium Community Health Plan members in the Diabetes Prevention Program. Diabetes educators will
distribute vouchers that members can redeem for fresh produce at Youth Farm locations in Springfield.

Want to become a Community Supported Agriculture member?

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) establishes a direct link between food consumers and food growers. FFLC’s Youth Farm currently offers CSA memberships. Find out more about the program here.