Willamette University

Center for Sustainable Communities

Alternative Agriculture Community

Almost every weekend, about 15-20 members of the Alternative Agriculture Community gather at Zena Farm to partake in a variety of farm-related activities. Some of the most common activities include weeding and planting the kitchen garden, harvesting, building protective fences to keep the deer out, and planting cover crops during the winter season. If not busily working at the farm, members generally spend their time planning for the upcoming season.

Katy Giombolini, alumnus and past President of the Alternative Agriculture Community, understands the importance of having a place like Zena Farm for everyone to (literally) get their hands dirty and take a hands-on approach to learning. "Zena is an importance space because it allows people to get reconnected with the land and the process of growing ones own food. It is just a peaceful place to work and be," she says.

Zena