Youth Farm

Peter E.

October 17, 2009 - 9:07 AM

I ventured over to Youth Farm today with Mortar Board to do a community service project. We met at Mac Court, and going in I had no idea what I'd be doing or where exactly I'd be going. However, it turned out to be a really rewarding experience.

The Youth Farm is located in Springfield and nestled in a neighborhood bordered on three sides by houses and the fourth by a park. We pulled up and were greeted by Ted, the head farmer. We were waiting around for instructions when I heard, "PETER!"

Shocked to hear my name called, I spotted my friend Alayna's beaming smile emerging from behind a shed. I was unaware Alayna worked on the Farm, and after exchanging pleasantries she took us on a tour of the facilities. Alayna went on to explain that the three-acre plot is owned by the Springfield School District, but Food For Lane County suggested the Youth Farm project and it exists as such today. The Youth Farm employs about 15 underprivileged high school students each season to work the farm. Students earn minimum wage while learning sustainable living, farming, nutrition, and job skills. On top of that, much of the food is donated to Food For Lane County to be used in their emergency food programs (one of their few fresh produce sources). The Farm is clearly incredibly beneficial for all involved.

After the tour we went to work. We grabbed work gloves, shovels, and wheelbarrows, and went on to plant a row of lettuce and cabbage. We built a raised bed, spread manure over it, and Ted tilled the row. Ted did some final preparations for us, and we proceeded to plant the row. In addition to preparing and planting, we harvested celery and weeded rows of cabbage. It was a rewarding experience for us Mortar Board members too because we are all mostly city kids with little farming experience. It was eye-opening for me to see the process of growing produce and being able to do pieces of the whole process during a three hour volunteer session.

All in all, it was great experience to volunteer, but more so to see that the Eugene-Springfield community has programs in place like Youth Farm that benefits so many people. I encourage everyone to check it out, volunteer, or at least buy their delicious organic produce at Saturday Market in Eugene!