Learning Where Food Comes From at the Orange Home Grown Education Farm

Tucked into Old Towne Orange, the Orange Home Grown Foundation operates a space dedicated to learning, sustainability, and hands-on connection with food: the Education Farm.

Created as a living classroom, the Education Farm gives community members of all ages the opportunity to learn how food is grown and how healthy soil, composting, and sustainable practices support both people and the environment. What was once a vacant lot has been transformed into a working farm space with raised garden beds, fruit trees, compost systems, seed-saving areas, and a greenhouse.

The farm regularly welcomes volunteers to take part in caring for the space. Participants help with planting, watering, harvesting, composting, and general maintenance, learning practical skills along the way. No prior experience is required — the focus is on learning by doing and building confidence through participation.

Beyond volunteer work, the Education Farm also serves as a hub for informal education. Workshops and learning sessions introduce topics like soil health, seed saving, food systems, and sustainable gardening, helping residents better understand where their food comes from and how small actions can make a difference.

The mission of the Education Farm extends beyond growing produce. It’s about building connections — between neighbors, between generations, and between people and the land they live on. By offering a space to learn, grow, and contribute, the farm plays a meaningful role in strengthening the local community.

As interest in sustainability and local food continues to grow, the Orange Home Grown Education Farm stands as a reminder that education doesn’t always happen indoors — sometimes it starts with soil, seeds, and people willing to learn together.