Photo by Kyla Springer
Mission: The UFC is a non-profit, all volunteer project of Oregon Sustainable Agriculture Land Trust. Our mission is to improve food security in the city, provide garden-based education to participants and provide much needed fresh produce to participants and local food pantries.
We fund this project through generous donors like you; becoming a contributing member is a great way to propel the project forward if you believe in what we are doing, but don’t have the time to volunteer.
You can help manifest our vision by becoming a UFC volunteer. There are many different commitment levels to get involved; you may chose to be a gardener, land sharer or administrator.
Gardeners: are the life-blood of the UFC. Each UFC garden is managed by an experienced garden educator and one or more garden apprentices. Garden managers and apprentices dedicate one half a day per week to their assigned gardens. In exchange, they receive a weekly share of locally, sustainably grown produce. Other garden volunteers with less time on their hands may join us at any UFC garden at any point in the season to earn barter shares of the produce. One hour of labor earns one barter share; affectionately known as ‘slugs.’
Growers: are folks who have their own established gardens, who would like to help with the mission. Independent gardeners may “sponsor a crop”. If you have a lil extra room in your garden, consider sponsoring the UFC berry patch! This is a great way for folks who have fruit trees to participate. Who of you wants to be the Cherry sponsor?
Land sharers: are folks who own land and support sustainable, urban agriculture, education and community enrichment.
Administrators: are the folks who help with the planning and execution of our mission.
Benefits of UFC membership:
- Access to a network of gardening experts and the opportunity to garden and learn alongside them
- Access to local, organic, sustainably grown veggies
- Significant saving on your grocery bill from participation in the barter economy
- Free UFC sponsored workshops
- Good, clean fun at our UFC events like our monthly First Friday potluck and our annual Hoedown (not to be missed).
- A good feeling knowing that a portion of the food you helped grow will be donated to charity
- Building a community of people who have come together around the idea of localizing in improving our food supply.
If you would like to get involved or become a member, please contact us through email at: urbanfarmcollective@gmail.com
