Gardens

     

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
  •  Current classes (registration is required):
    • Seed to Supper at Kalapuya High School in Eugene, Thursdays, September 27-November 1, 4 pm-6 pm. Register here.
  • Be a Seed to Supper Volunteer
    Seed to Supper is a comprehensive, six-week beginning gardening course that gives novice, adult gardeners the tools they need to successfully grow a portion of their own food on a limited budget. Seed to Supper Garden Educator volunteers teach classes at community host sites. FOOD for Lane County offers Seed to Supper in partnership with Oregon Food Bank.
  • 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

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

youthgarden2

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.

The Youth Farmer application process is held in April and May each year. If you have questions about it, please email Jen Anonia here or call her at 541-343-2822. Thank you!

If you would like to become an adult intern at the Youth Farm, see our Employment Page for information (applications being accepted as of December, 2018).

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:

    • Saturdays June 9, 2018 through October, 10-2 at our Youth Farm, 705 Flamingo Ave. in Springfield
    • Thursdays June 7, 2018 through October, 2-6 at PeaceHealth RiverBend.
    • At the farm stands, we accept SNAP/EBT as well as WIC and Direct Nutrition Coupons (which we match up to $5).

Trillium Veggie RX in Association with the FFLC Youth Farm

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.