In operation since 1976, the University of Oregon Urban Farm is a model for alternative urban land use where people grow food, take care of the land, work together, and build community. Throughout its history as part of the Department of Landscape Architecture, the Urban Farm has been a place and a process integrating biological, ecological, economic, and social concerns.

The urban farming curriculum supports approximately 320 students annually and courses fill quickly and have wait-lists during Fall and Spring quarters. The Campus Plan identifies a designated Outdoor Classroom north of Franklin Boulevard that is associated with the Urban Farm. Adjacent land north of the Outdoor Classroom, east of the Fine Art Studios and Woodshop, and west of the parking lot on Riverfront Parkway has also been used for urban farming activities.

Additional "pocket" gardening and farming activity is conducted at Columbia Street (north of 19th Ave) and less formally at the Moss Street Grove Garden (in associate with CASL House and the UO Student Sustainability Center), and in the past at the Federal Courthouse Garden. These satellite, or “pocket gardens,” help elevate the profile of UO’s urban farming curriculum and promote civic agriculture to students and community visitors.

The College of Design, the School of Architecture and Environment, and the Department of Landscape Architecture are fully committed to the urban farming program, and we deeply value the experiences it affords students across the entire campus community.

FAQ

Are there plans to increase urban farming activities in the future?
The College of Design, in spring of 2022, facilitated a consensus-based visioning process for the Urban Farm program that included students, faculty, and staff. The results of the visioning process were shared with College of Design faculty and students for iterative input. The visioning process cited a need for additional cultivatable land that would allow the Urban Farm to expand its courses and programming. The university has pledged $1 million toward the College of Design vision to assist in implementing the project. Campus Planning and Facility Management is collaborating with the College of Design to identify land for the Urban Farm program expansion project.

Where is the farm located?
The Urban Farm Outdoor Classroom is located north of Franklin Boulevard within the Millrace Green Designated Open Space. The urban farming program has also been utilizing an area north of the outdoor classroom known as the “back 40”. This area is not within the Urban Farm classroom boundary and has long been identified as an area for development. The urban farming program also utilizes space near Columbia Street and 19th Avenue.