Examples of Urban Agriculture in Eugene

Examples of Urban Agriculture in Eugene Urban agriculture is everywhere in Eugene and of growing importance recently. Food growing gardens vary: from individually owned planting strips to cooperatively run neighborhood gardens. From City owned and operated Community Gardens to small acre farms within the city. Fresh local food can be grown most anywhere in Eugene. The examples below are organized by how they are owned and operated. They are either publically or privately owned, allowing for memberships, or providing a more cooperative space to grow food together.

City Owned, City Operated Open to Members Community Gardens in Eugene City of Eugene Community Gardens Program strives to provide a rewarding gardening experience for all who rent a garden plot and join the community gardens family. The rental comes with access to a plot, water, and tools. Each gardener then decides what to plant in his or her plot and how to cultivate it. Community gardeners can:    

provide food for family and friends enjoy the beauty of a garden in bloom learn and share information with other gardening enthusiasts work the land and harvest the fruits of their labor

City Owned, Privately or Non-Profit Operated Use of planting strips and public right of ways Productive gardens can be carved out of residential planting strips and city right of way spaces as long as visual clearance guidelines for fences and walkways are maintained and gardens do not become a visual nuisance or physical hazard. Some gardens are open to the neighborhood, while others are operated for the benefit of the residents maintaining the garden.

Skinner City Farm is a community garden site committed to creating a garden that evokes the memory of Eugene Skinner, founder of the City of Eugene. This site creates agriculturally based youth programs, demonstrates sustainable and ecologically sound agriculture practices, and works with community groups and individuals to provide an opportunity to improve the quantity and quality of fresh food in their lives. Members and organizations rent plots to grow their own food.

Common Ground Garden is an example of an open neighborhood garden that uses a cooperative manner of growing and harvesting fresh organic vegetables for the neighborhood. Volunteer work parties and harvests are coordinated amongst neighbors. Neighborhood residents are encouraged to pick freely. This is an example of the first “open to the neighborhood� garden in Eugene. Funding for this garden was provided by the Neighborhood Matching Grant program. For additional information contact-Eugene Friendly Neighborhood Farmers at their website.

The Federal Courthouse Garden, being built by members of the community, public agencies, and the University of Oregon, is meant to be used by the Federal Courthouse Reentry program. It is intended to provide skills, connections to others in the community, and build self-esteem for individuals "in-transition" within the criminal justice system.

Privately Owned, Privately Operated Open to the Neighborhood The Faith Center garden is located on church property. Church volunteers will provide the service hours to grow food in a cooperative manner. Neighbors are encouraged to participate in this food growing venture. The church has a food pantry and congregants in need that will welcome the fresh produce and raspberries soon to come.

Privately Owned, Privately Operated Open to Members Churchill Community Garden Surrounded by several schools, Churchill Community Garden is teeming with students, particularly during the spring and fall. Teachers from Churchill High School, Kennedy Middle School and the Lane School use the garden as an outdoor classroom, and students have the opportunity to work with FOOD for Lane County’s Garden Coordinator to plan, design and implement school demonstration beds. Produce grown in the school beds is donated to FOOD for Lane County for distribution to families and individuals in need. Students learn the value of eating a nutritious diet, gain an understanding of how food is grown and distributed and value the ability to serve their community and make a difference.

Edgewood Community Pool and Garden This neighborhood garden has had a productive first year, creating beds full of vegetables while building community at the same time. This garden is nestled in the South Eugene hills on a unique property that also houses a community pool. Neighbors have eagerly joined this garden group with the hopes of turning their backyards into a productive food growing space.

University of Oregon Urban Farm Growing food is an important step toward self-sufficiency, at the personal individual scale as well as at the small group/neighborhood/ community, city and bioregional scales. The Urban Farm is a model for productive urban land use where people grow food, work together, take care of the land, and build community.

Throughout its 29 year history, the Urban Farm has been a place and a process which integrates biological, ecological, economic and social concerns.

The goal of the Urban Farm is to teach students how to learn about nature through hands-on lectures and field trips, with classes offered spring, summer, and fall. Students learn about the importance of caring for the soil, various organic gardening practices and techniques, composting, permaculture, biodynamic agriculture, and agricultural land issues.

Privately owned, Privately Operated Produce for a Non-Profit GrassRoots Garden began in 1991 as a partnership between Lane County Master Gardeners, FOOD for Lane County and St. Thomas Episcopal Church. Master Gardeners needed a training location that would allow them to be of service to the community, FFLC needed a source of fresh produce for its food distribution program and St. Thomas had available vacant land. The two and a halfacre GrassRoots Garden is developed and maintained by FOOD for Lane County staff, Master Gardeners, school groups, youth from diverse backgrounds and community members all working to make a difference .

FOOD for Lane County GrassRoots Garden