04/11/2022
This is a beautifully written testament to the value of the urban farm. ❤️
To
I am adamantly opposed to the destruction of the Urban Farm for construction of buildings, parking lots, or anything that destroys the true value of that land; a land to be farmed, to grow food, to educate, and to inspire.
My name is Megan Kellner-Rode (French) and I graduated from the University of Oregon with a degree in Journalism: Communication Studies in the spring of 2012. I learned more at the Urban Farm than I ever did within the walls of the University. I felt supported by the Urban Farm’s teachers and aides, while I rarely felt supported by any of the Journalism faculty. I gathered and retained information that would have a greater impact on where I am today than from any other course, room, building, or professor.
I now own and tend a successful farm business with my husband David. David and I both came to farming out of college because of our desire to work towards a better future for our ailing society, our love of lifelong learning and education, and our passion to consciously and sustainably steward the land. Conversely, we did not want to participate in the broken systems we had been a part of and seen, which valued money and greed, over health and well-being.
When I first came to Eugene at 18 years old and was finding my way around campus, I stumbled upon the Urban Farm. As I was walking through the gardens, taking in the lushness and nourishment abound, I was greeted by Director Harper Keeler. He welcomed me to the space with a little history, a bunch of beets, and an invitation to return. I felt like the Urban Farm was my safe space in Eugene ever since that moment.
I took LA390 (Urban Farm) twice. In that time, I met teacher aides who would go on to write books about urban agriculture and manage large scale organic farming operations. I also had peers who eventually started their own small scale market farms, seed producing farms, flower farms, and some that would continue work in the local food system (nonprofits, food banks, etc).
Personally, I took my knowledge and passion from the Urban Farm with me in every step of my future forward. Starting in college, all of my research was dedicated to the food system; my Information Gathering (J202) 93 page document was titled “Industrial Agriculture: Back to the Farm” and my undergraduate capstone paper was titled “Media’s Effects on Food Trends.” I went on to work and volunteer for the Willamette Farm & Food Coalition, and write for Take Root Magazine. After moving to Central Oregon, I became the Assistant Director at Central Oregon Locavore Nonprofit, sat on the boards of the Bend Farmers Market, High Desert Food & Farm Alliance, and Central Oregon Food Collective, and I also began the Central Oregon Fill Your Pantry event. All of this eventually led me to starting Boundless Farmstead, our 20 acre farm in the high desert.
If not for the Urban Farm and Harper Keeler acting as catalysts, I do not know if I would be where I am today; happy, stable, environmentally conscious, and proud of the work I do.
Beyond the emotional, educational, and community reasons why the land should be preserved, this parcel of land is undoubtedly some of the most fertile, richest, and well-maintained farmland in the Willamette Valley. With its long history of organic stewardship, compost application, and care, these soils can and do grow copious amounts of food. To pave over such high value farmland would be an absolute travesty. The 2017 Agricultural Census shows that from 1997 to 2017, Oregon has lost 10 percent of its farmland, and that number is accelerating. We cannot continue adding to that statistic.
Currently on the University of Oregon website homepage, the University boasts about its new app “Nature Dose,” alluding to the idea that being in nature is of high importance. I was always under the impression while attending UO that environmental consciousness and sustainability were top priorities for the college. Student dining claims that “each uses locally farmed, seasonal ingredients.” Though UO will not support its small on-campus farm. The campus is self described as “...it’s an arboretum. Literally, a tree museum.” Though UO will remove fruit-bearing trees older than the careers of most professors. Did I foolishly mistake a green-washing facade for true intentions?
The website also states (in regards to the Knight Campus) that “Ducks dive into research to find answers to some of humanity’s biggest questions. We’re using big data to save and improve lives, striving to predict earthquakes and prevent deadly disease. We’re combining expertise across disciplines in math, biology, and genomics with bioengineering, neuroengineering, and precision medicine to fight cancer.” The irony of this statement in thinking about paving a farm is immense. The research supporting production and consumption of organic whole foods and reducing the risk of cancer and preventable diseases is so widespread and diverse that it cannot be argued. You do not need a whole brand new campus, University program, and parking lot full of cars to answer your “big questions.”
The plan to destroy parts of the Urban Farm feels so short-sighted, it is hard to believe it is even possible. I hope one day I can actually be proud of attending the University of Oregon. I hope that I can actually feel comfortable and confident in telling the younger generations that they should attend college; that the UO would give them value. All I see right now is a school like every other, valuing self-perceived “progress” over genuine skills, and profit over health and community.
I beg you to please leave the Urban Farm alone. I completely and full-heartedly oppose the destruction of the Urban Farm.
