Urban Farm
The Urban Farm program was launched in the 2016-17 school year. Enrollment includes up to 20 freshmen and sophomores referred to the program by their home high school (CHS or CVHS). The program allows students to have general education integrated into hands-on learning activities, the most prominent being tending and caring for our campus farm.
Urban Farm Program
Students in this program have the opportunity to perform all farm activities from site planning and plant propagation to tending and harvesting and taking crops to market.
Program Goals
We are a credit recovery program designed to prepare students for life after graduation through experiential learning. Students will develop leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving skills through our diverse hands-on curriculum. Some of these experiences will include:
- Work and tend a half-acre farm.
- Make daily decisions on different aspects of the farm.
- Daily work chores include caring for our chickens, processing eggs, maintaining two on-site bee hives, irrigation layout, crop selection, soil preparation, planting schedule, and work crew management.
Students will better understand how their core curriculum mastery is essential to successfully writing business plans, budgets, marketing brochures, grants, and research documents.
Daily Schedule At A Glance
Morning (9am-12pm)Breakfast + Core Academics
- Math
- Language Arts/English
- Health/Leadership
Lunch (12pm-12:30pm)Off-Campus PermittedAfternoon (12:30pm-3pm*)Project-Based Credits (Outside Work/Teams)
- Employment Skills
- Agricultural Science/Ecology
- Service Learning
Early Release on Wednesdays* (Dismissal at 1:30pm)***Morning and Afternoon schedule may be swapped depending on the season
Current Happenings
New referrals to the program must demonstrate the maturity and safety skills to navigate school in this unique environment.
In the fall, students in the Urban Farm program are trained by Benton Soil and Water Conservation District staff for the annual fall “Salmon Watch” field trip.
This field trip to the Alsea River provides an outdoor learning experience for elementary students to learn about the life cycle of salmon. Urban Farm students were trained to be instructors in Riparian Ecology, Water Quality, Salmon Biology, and Macroinvertebrates. They assisted in teaching at each station, and their volunteer hours count towards their senior projects. Check out the video courtesy of the Corvallis Gazette-Times.
Community Volunteers and Donations
We are constantly seeking volunteers, guest speakers and field trip sites that highlight the diversity and richness of our county. Sponsors and donations are naturally welcome. Feel free to call and schedule a tour of our project!
Current donation needs:
- Lumber, 2x4s, Plywood, Etc.
- Boots, Gloves, Socks
- Rain coats
- Chicken Feed
- Shop Vac
- Garden cart
- Push mower
- Reliable riding lawn mower
- Rototiller
- Leaf blower
Schedule of the Year At A Glance
| Season | Activities |
|---|---|
| Fall | Salmon Watch – “Teens as Teachers” Urban Farm students teach various environmental/ecology lessons to Elementary Students Harvesting Crops/Farm Stand Prepare the farm for harvest and sell goods to public through our weekly Farm Stand Raising & Release Salmon Partner with Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife to raise up to 1,000 Salmon and release in local watershed |
| Winter | Raising & Release Trout Partner with Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife to raise up to 1,000 Trout and release in local watershed Plant Winter Crop Utilize the raised beds in our campus Horticulture Garden Investigating Local Beaver Mary’s River Watershed Council Partnership |
| Spring | Prepare farm for planting crops Till the land, cultivate crop starts, and plan crop layout Woodcarving Investigating Local Lamprey Mary’s River Watershed Council Partnership |
| Summer | Summer Work Program The district needs employees (most of which are CSD students) to maintain upkeep of the farm (Application and interview process is required). This is a paid opportunity as well as a way to earn Work Experience credit. |
Staff Directory
Students are taught the core curriculum in an applied learning through the various aspects of farming.
Who Are the Students?
Enrollment
Student participation is limited to their freshman and sophomore years of high school. Regular attendance is crucial for student success and credit recovery. We are eager to welcome students from diverse backgrounds, ranging from those who identify as “quiet students” with high academic achievement but low class engagement to students who struggle with direct instruction and would benefit from academic support and stimulating class activities.
The Urban Farm has limited space for students and requires commitment from prospective students to maximize the potential program benefits. A student can earn up to 5 credits with us in one semester.
The Student Perspective
When asked to reflect on the program, current and past students have said the following:
How has this program been different from other schools/educational experiences?
“This program separates itself from other schools for me because of the relief from the constant mental stress otherwise.”
“The program has been very different from your regular brick and mortar schools. I have found it to be much less stressful than regular high schools. A lot of the work is hands on, so you’re not just given a textbook or a packet to read and fill out. All the people here, including students, are also very welcoming and non-judgmental compared to some other people at other schools.”
“The work we do is like no other. I’ve been able to learn skills I wouldn’t usually be able to learn in a “normal” work environment.”
What type of student do you think would do well here?
“I think most students would do well here. I think as long as you try and participate, you should not have a problem here. There are a wide range of personalities here and not one person truly has a problem doing well here.”
What do you like about Urban Farm?
“I love that Urban farms makes school not feel like wasted time, and that they care about our feelings, wants, and needs here.”
“There’s a lot to like about the program in my opinion. There’s the garden and the chickens, but I think one of my favorite things to do here is interact with the people here and in the neighborhood. I’ve had a lot of very interesting and insightful conversations with not only the students and teachers, but also the community members. I love doing our farm stand on Fridays because of all the amazing chats we can have with the other students and community members.”
“It helped me develop towards a better lifestyle.”
Contact Us
Contact Us
Corvallis Oregon, 97333
Corvallis Oregon, 97333