Last season’s arugula in full bloom in May.

This post is part of a series of testimonies of students’ experiences with the Urban Farm. The series is meant to demonstrate the farm’s immense value to people personally and for the community as a whole. As the University of Oregon continues to develop its north campus in the area surrounding the farm, we want to recognize the farm’s qualities and attributes that can be brought into the overall vision for the future of the university.

“The first time I walked into the urban farm was not quite a spiritual experience, but one that made me rethink my priorities in a serious way. There’s nothing quite like spending an hour on your hands and knees digging in the dirt, then going home with a bag of the freshest greens you’ve ever had. For those of you who have only ever bought your greens, I feel for you. They’re supposed to have real oomph and juice to them, not a flat texture and a vague sensation of containing life. The urban farm offers a peek into a way of living that’s more aligned with the earth and her priorities, and less aligned with the alienation so pervasive to our society. I strongly encourage you to go taste the arugula down there and try and tell me it’s not the best damn arugula you’ve had in your life! Hint: it’s about 5 feet tall these days and last I checked it’s got tons of white flowers with four petals each. Cheers and thanks for reading!”

-Moose