Rolling hills, changing leaves and the rustle of an October breeze welcomed folks Thursday to the new Youth Farm located off of Seavy Loop in Eugene.
Food For Lane County’s Youth Farm program acquired a new property this summer and has begun the months-long process of moving, with plans to relocate to southeast Eugene by 2026.
For 25 years, the Youth Farm program through Food For Lane County has shared agricultural knowledge and business management skills with kids aged 15 to 18. The current farm in the Gateway area of Springfield grows about 130,000 pounds of organically produced fruits and vegetables annually on a farm occupying about 10 acres of land. About 40 different crops are grown and sold at the program’s youth-operated farm stand. Excess crops go to Food For Lane County food banks.
The new property will offer 25 acres total of agricultural land for youth to steward, along with the hopes for new crop wash and pack stations, a new farm stand, greenhouses and the possibility to expand operations if needed.