The Laurel Valley Educational Farm (LVEF) is a 2-acre organic farm located on the Northwest Youth Corps (NYC) campus on Augusta Street in Eugene, Oregon. Established in 1999 to augment NYC youth programs, it has grown to become an important resource for serving youth and the community. Each year, the farm supplies hundreds of pounds of fresh produce to NYC youth crews and NYC’s OutDoor High School Culinary Arts program, and provides excellent applied education and work experience for youth enrolled in NYC programs.

We also have a CSA program. Members receive a weekly bounty of fresh, seasonal, organically grown produce from May–November. The CSA is an opportunity for community members to support local farmers and participate in the production of their food. Members visit the farm to pick up their share.

In the winter and spring students in the OutDoor High School, working with staff and AmeriCorps members, prepare the garden, make compost, and work on garden construction projects. In the garden, grow-room and greenhouse students plant seeds and transplant seedlings while learning lessons on soils, water, ecology, botany, and biology.

Northwest Youth Corps established the OutDoor High School, a fully accredited private secondary school, in 1997.