What chapter: Rogue Valley
RFC Host Farm: Easy Valley
What year: 2017 (intern) and 2018 (apprentice)
Where are they now: Garden Manager, ACCESS Community Food Share Gardens Program, Jackson County, Oregon
Emily moved out to Oregon from the Midwest to pursue her farming dreams with an internship at Easy Valley Farm in Rogue River. Her Host Farmers, Tina and Cos, became good friends and ongoing mentors for her, and she decided to return for a second year farming with them as part of the RFC apprenticeship program. Her partner joined her from the Midwest that year, and when the apprenticeship season was over they moved together to nearby Medford. Emily transitioned into the world of nonprofit farming and took a job as the Garden Manager for the ACCESS Community Food Share Gardens. ACCESS is a community action organization that serves Jackson County. Through the Food Share Garden program Emily manages a network of six large gardens (“or small farms, depending on how you look at it!” she says) throughout the valley. Collectively, those gardens grow produce for a network of Jackson County food pantries, with support from the Oregon Food Bank and a large group of dedicated volunteers. In addition to growing food for the community, Emily also coordinates beginner gardening classes that are offered to the community for no cost. “I love being able to support my friends and neighbors with equitable access to high quality, organic produce and empower them to take control over their own food insecurity,” she says. Her current goal is to further her education in nonprofit management. “I would love to continue my farm work from that perspective!” she says, “I’m very interested in working with farm labor and small farm rights. I see myself being an advocate for small farmers.”