The Youth Farm is a 5 acre urban educational farm and a work and leadership experience site for youth.
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The FFLC 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 120+ member Community Supported Agriculture Program and two produce stands.
Mark your calanders for the Youth Farm Fest! Enjoy a day of farm tours, apple cider pressing, face painting and flower picking - all put on and led by our amazing youth farmers. It's a fun family friendly event, all of our community is welcome. We hope to see you there.
📆 Saturday, September 14th
🕑10am - 2pm
🚜 705 Flamingo Ave. Springfield
Mark your calendars for the Youth Farm Fest! Enjoy a day of arts and crafts, farm tours, produce tastings, cider pressing, and pick-your-own flower bouquets — all led by our amazing youth farmers. It's a fun, family-friendly event you won't want to miss!
📅 Saturday, September 14th
⏰ 10am – 2pm
🚜 705 Flamingo Avenue, Springfield
How long have you worked here?
- 2 years, 1st year as crew leader
What is your favorite part of working here?
- Talking to customers and access to high-quality produce. And cooking opportunities it brings.
What is the biggest challenge of this work?
- Staying motivated to the end of the week.
Favorite vegetable?
- Beets.
Favorite farm task?
- Tomato trellising
Why learn to farm?
- I like working outdoors, and constantly moving. I don't have enough sunlight at home to grow food.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?- music. Playing and listening.
(He plays at least three musical instruments.)
Anything else people should know about you?
I want to learn how to make eggplant taste good.
Farmer highlight!
Meet Gray another of our crew leaders.
How long have you worked here? - 3 years; second as a crew leader.
What is your favorite part of working here? The volunteers and them getting to experience new foods. It's so fun. Kolrabi and turnips especially.
What is the biggest ggest challenge of this job? - Probably dealing with a wide span of weather. Really hot to really cold. And the smoke.
Favorite vegetables? -Cucumberr
Favorite farm task? - Weeding, hand w**ding specifically. Also, transplanting, especially brassicas.
Why learn to farm? - I want to have a home garden, so it will be useful in the future
What do you like ro do outside of work - I really like reading. Big fan of scfi and fantasy.
Anything else our followers should know about you? - I am very cool.
We agree, you are very 😎 cool Gray.
Farmer highlight time!
Meet Cambria. A second generation youth farmer. She is one of our youth farmer crew leaders.
How long have you worked here?
-This is my second season
What is your favorite part of working here?
- Trying new veggies. Raw eggplant is not good.
What is the biggest challenge of this work?
- The heat and the smoke
Favorite veg?
- Tomatoes. Orange and yellow cherry tomatoes are my favorite.
What is you favorite farm task?
- Picking tomatoes
Why do you want to learn to farm?
-It's useful. I want to use that useful information in my later life.
Anything else folks should know?
-Moles are my favorite animals
Thanks Cambria.
Summer EBT is a new grocery benefits program that starts this summer. It helps eligible families buy groceries for their school-aged children during the summer when school is out. And thanks to the Double Up program, when families pay with Summer EBT at the Food For Lane County Youth Farm they can get double the produce!
Want to learn more about Summer EBT and the Double Up Food Bucks program?
Check out the links below:
Summer EBT: https://sebt.oregon.gov/
Double Up Food Bucks: https://doubleuporegon.org/
Time for another farmer highlight!
Meet Atticus. If you visit our farm stand you've probably met him. He is one of your youth crew leaders.
This fall he will be a sophomore in college studying computer science.
How long have you worked here? This is my 4th season, 3rd as a crew leader.
What is your favorite part of working here? -Beingg outside & growing food.
What is the biggest challenge of this work?- Hot weather and smoke season.
Favorite veg.? - How do you pick one.
Okay, top three?
Broccoli, carrots, and tomatoes.
What is your favorite farm task? - Barrel washing (pictured)
Why learn to farm? - It's useful. I've been farming, on my own property, so it's nice to expand the knowledge .
It's going to be hot the next few days. We're rearranging hours to keep everyone safe.
It's time for another farmer highlight.
This is Dan, our volunteer outreach and coordinator.
How long have you worked here?
Since 2020
What is your favorite part of working here? I like working with lots of different people, I get to be outdoors and help people - all at the same time.
Whats the biggest challenge of this job?
Never running out of work. There is always more to do than we will ever be able to do.
Favorite veg to eat?
Broccoli
Favorite farm task?
Pruning fruit trees
Why farming?
Because it's applied ecology. Its away I get to apply whay I learned in college but more directly applied to people and more community focused.
Thanks Dan!
I personally would like to add that everyone on the farm learns so much from Dan. His depth of knowledge is impressive. He teaches in an engaging and easily accessible way.
Happy pride month.
See you Saturdays for fresh produce - this week through October!
10am - 2pm at the Youth Farm.
Over 20 varieties of produce this week.
See you there.
Big week here at the youth farm - first week of CSA & first farm stand of the season!
We hope to see you all on Saturday from 10am - 2pm. Our youth love seeing our community come enjoy the literal fruits of all their labor. All the proceeds go directly back to the farm.
Come pick up from a large variety of produce, including, but not limited to:
Kale
Salad mix
Zucchini
Snap peas
Carrots
Onions (walla - walla & green onions)
Even a few pepper and tomato starts.
See you Saturday at the farm stand! 10am - 2pm
First class for our youth of the season. Dan is an amazing teacher. Today, we're learning about what organic farming is and means vs. "conventional" farming.
First posted photos of our new youth farm crew! These teens have worked two Saturdays so far and already have a list of successful tasks completed including seeding, transplanting, w**ding and hoeing, spreading row cover and w**d barrier and thinning fruit. We’re loving their energy and focus! See the results of their hard work and support their efforts at our onsite produce stand open Saturdays from 10-2 starting June 8!
Time for another farmer spotlight!
This is Emily. She is one of our two apprentices. Here we go.
How long worked here - Since March
What is your favorite part of working here?- Being outside. Connected to our community and working and interacting with different types of people. That's something you don't get on other farms - and I really like that.
Biggest challenge working here? - Being new, the learning curve. But, that makes part of the fun. Feeling like there is so much to learn, which feels overwhelming.
Favorite veg? - Carrot
Favorite farm task (so far)? - Seeding and transplanting - even though it's hard on my body.
Why do you want to learn to farm? - I wanted to be more connected to my food, and the land. I want grow more of my own food. I love being outside. As an herbalist, I want learn to grow those plant medicines.
Thanks Emily!
Did you miss out on our big summer plant Sale? No worries, we're having a "leftovers" sale. Come shop from the nursery tables this Saturday, May 18th, from 10am to 4pm.
There are still plenty of amazing plants to fill your garden for the year. Including, but not limited to:
Basil
Cilantro
Nasturtium
Marigolds
Sunflowers
Tomatoes (paste, slicers, cherries & heirlooms)
Peppers
Blueberries bushes
And so much more!
See you Saturday the 18th. 10am to 4pm at the Youth Farm.
Thank you to everyone who came out to purchase plants the last few days— such a successful sale! May your starts thrive!
Did you know you can use SNAP benefits to purchase edible plant starts? And through our partnership with the Double Up Food Bucks Program, we’re able to match up to half of your edible plant start purchase at our Summer Plant Sale if you use SNAP! That means if you buy $100 worth of veggie and berry starts, we will only charge you on your SNAP card $50! Come shop Saturday, May 11 between 10am-4pm or schedule a time to shop tomorrow afternoon, Friday, May 10– link in our bio.
Are you ready for our BIG plant sale!? Help us fund our youth farm project and build your home garden at the same time.
Saturday from 10am to 4pm come shop our huge stock of plants.
Or reserve a time to come shop on Friday - link in bio.
We are hiring!
We are searching for a new field coordinator.
Want to farm to feed your community via a great non-profit? Come join our team.
Apply via Food for Lane County' employment page.
Foodforlanecounty.org/employment
For Lane County’s Youth Farm is a 6 acre urban educational farm where we work with community to increase food security and offer skill-building opportunities to people of all ages, including volunteers of all ages, a youth farm crew of teens, and other seasonal job trainees.
Grow with staff and volunteers over 35 different kinds of produce on a 6-acre site, including assisting with greenhouse management, tractor and other power equipment operation, Irrigation, crop cultivation and soil preparation, transplanting, trellising, w**d control, organic pest management and harvesting
· Lead and train volunteers, youth farmers, job trainees and other seasonal staff in the field to accomplish all farm tasks and create a positive, rewarding experience
· Ensure a safe environment for staff and volunteers adhering to safety and health regulations.
· Manage harvests, including weekly harvest plant, coordinating all seasonal staff and volunteers to harvest and prepare produce for markets, wholesale accounts, CSA and FFLC
· Coordinate grounds keeping, including mowing, w**d wacking, and pathway maintenance.
· Upkeep power equipment, including regular maintenance
· Manage orchard, including pruning, thinning and irrigation
· Assist with revenue generating activities, including produce stand and plant sales
· Actively demonstrate FFLC’s values of compassion, collaboration, and inclusion
Position eligible for health, vision, and dental.
We're hiring! Looking for folks with experience leading others on produce farms, check out our employment page: foodforlanecounty.org/employment
Our pepper plants are looking marvelous! Of the nearly 40 varieties for sale of sweet and hot peppers, we have some popular regulars like Cal Wonder, Early Jalapeño and padrón peppers as well as new to us varieties like Trident (a poblano type) and Brocanto (a golden bell). Schedule a shopping time for May 10 at https://plantsale.foodforlanecounty.org or come anytime between 10am-4pm on May 11 at the Youth Farm!
Are we going to see you next week for our big May plant sale?
Link in bio to reserve a shopping time for Friday, May 10th. Or see you any time between 10am and 4 pm on Saturday the 11th.
We have flowers, herbs, brassicas, tomatoes, peppers, and so much more.
See you there!
We’re recruiting new youth farm crew members! If you know of anyone ages 15-18 who wants to grow food outdoors with peers and earn a wage, check out the employment page: https://www.foodforlanecounty.org/employment/
Welcome to our first ever crew and volunteer spotlight! In this little series I'm asking everyone a few questions so everyone here can get to know our crew and what we do a little better.
This is Sydney. She's one of our seasonal crew out here.
How long worked out here?
- This is my third season.
What is your favorite part of working here?
- Working in the dirt, community and feeding the community. That's a big question there's a lot. Knowing the food we grow goes to families.
What do you find as your biggest challenge in this work?
- Keeping dirt off my face.
Favorite veg?
- Artichoke. I also love the access to onions and garlic working here.
Favorite farm task
- It depends on the season, I like pruning tomatoes, also bunching rainbow chard.
Thank you to everyone who ordered and picked up plants today! Special shout out to Nancy who bought starts for the garden at nearby St. John’s to grow and distribute produce at the Shepherd’s Table, their food pantry. And to Allison, who works at the Willamalane Adult Activity Center who picked up plants to grow for veggies for the seniors they serve! More veggie, flower, herb and berry starts available for purchase tomorrow at the Youth Farm!
Sunny days means we were able to get this green house up and ready to grow food. One down, one to go.
We are always grateful to our helping hands out here at the farm. Volunteer days are Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays 9am to 4pm. Gloves and equipment provided.
Hope to see you out here.
Plant sale preparations! Ted transporting up to 6 flats of starts at a time with our handy starts carrier, and a van full of happy Josephine raspberries, up-potted from our overflowing patch at GrassRoots Garden we will be selling these and so much more this Saturday, April 6 from 10-4 at the Youth Farm.
705 Flamingo Avenue
Springfield, OR
97477
| 10am - 2pm |
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We keep a backstock of crew in the ciol bot at all times. We're doing what we can to keep cool in the heat wave
Plant Sale! Friday April 5th is for presale pick- up. Saturday April 6th is in-person shopping. 10am to 4 pm. #plantsale #urbanag #nonprofitfarm #willamettevalleyfarm #urbanagriculture #youthfarm #volunteerism #volunteeroppertunity #foodbankfarm #lanecountyfoodbank #lanecounty #foodsecurity #willamettevalleyvolunteers @foodforlanecounty
Seeds, seeds, everywhere. Time to clear out the old and bring in the new.
It's cold, but we got food to grow.
Fill Your Pantry today at Lane County Fairgrounds from 12 to 4pm See you there! #nonprofit #nonprofitfarm
We are packing it up for Fill Your Pantry! This mega event is from 11am to 4 pm on Sunday, November 12th at the Lane County Fairgrounds. The first half hour is for seniors and those who will need more assistance with their shopping. Fill Your Pantry with our bulk items: cabbage, apples, potatoes, leeks, onions, garlic, and more! See you there, come support your local nonprofit farm! #fflcyouthfarm @willfarmfood @foodforlanecounty #nonprofitorganization #nonprofitfarm #urbanagriculture #urbanag #fillyourpantry #lanecountyfarm #volunteerwork
Even when it rains & hails, we're still out here pulling in food for the food bank, our CSA members and our farm stand. Hello rainy season! @foodforlanecounty #foodforlanecounty #youthfarm #nonprofitorganization #nonprofitfarm #foodbankfarm #oregonfarm #unrbanagriculture
When it's cool, our greenhouses keep our tomatoes warm. 🍅 We're picking the last pops of the color. Remember we sell tomatoes, onions, potatoes, apples, garlic and more in bulk. Farmstand link in bio. #urbanfarming #urbanagriculture #urbanag #foodforlanecountyyouthfarm #foodforlanecounty #foodbankfarm
Beets in the barrel washer! Find these and 35 other types of produce at our produce stand open Saturdays, 10am-2pm through October 28 at the Youth Farm! Or order online bulk quantities for storage along with onions, garlic, cabbage, potatoes, apples and more. Address and link in bio.
September abundance at the Youth Farm! Open Saturdays through October, 10am - 2pm
Even on smokey weekends our youth supply the community with loads of fresh produce. Come get your fruit and veg, before it gets too smokey. #urbanagriculture #Urbanag #fflc #fflcyouthfarm #youthfarm #eugeneoregon #eatlocal #nonprofitfarm
The unveiling of the plants! Last day to bring these beauties to your garden— Sumner Plant Sale at the Youth Farm, today, May 20, 10am-4pm, see you soon!
The unfurling of the Spring Plant Sale starts begins! On sale at the Youth Farm starting today, 4/15 at 10am!
Last Youth Farm produce stand of the year! Sincere gratitude to all of our customers for a truly amazing season!
Sound on! Ever wonder how we keep crops from drowning in weeds? All-star crew leader Julian demos how he's been doing it for the past FIVE years with us!
What an incredible community we share! We are SO appreciative of everyone who helped make this year's plant sale a huge success: all our hard working interns, youth farm crew leaders, and volunteers... Musicians, food vendors Elegant Elephant Baking Co and Blue Valley Bistro ... Donors Aurora Innovations Territorial Seed Company and Down To Earth Home, Garden & Gift... And if course all the gardeners out there whose support made this our best sale to date! Video 🎥 by former youth farmer David "The Tomato" with music by Moonlight Jubilee Happy gardening!
The black wave returns! Sunny warm weather means we can remove the plastic sheets that keep rain off beds, and be ready to plant more veggies soon! It's a celebration and a work out every spring☀️🏄🏽♂️
Spring plant sale was a roaring success! We couldn't pull it off without massive support from volunteers and of course all the gardeners that stream in to buy plants- thank you all so much and happy planting!
It sure wants to keep being winter, but the bok choy is ready for a big spring FOOD For Lane County harvest and we've been planting seeds for our plant sales all day in the greenhouses!
A little zucchini trick Phela learned from Merry at Grassroots Garden 😂🌿🎺 #zucchinitricks
