Are you an organization that would like to have an event/outing on our farm? Contact us at farm@publicannex.org
About the Farm Program
The Public Annex farm program provides opportunities for education and hands-on access to food production. Our farm programming helps connect people to their food source in empowering ways.
Our urban farm plot, The Side Yard Annex, located in the Cully neighborhood, is an accessible urban farm in the making!* 2017 was all about weeding, planning and starting the building process in preparation for hosting farm programming at the site. Over the 2018 season our wonderful volunteers put in over 260 hours collaboratively to build SIX new accessible raised beds, partnered with Oregon Commission for the Blind's Summer Work Experience program to build a ADA table-top bed for sensory herbs, gave 3 tours to groups from 3 local high schools, put on 6 art and farming workshops, and grew who-knows-how-many pounds of produce! We are so excited to invite you to this space to be a part of this growing accessibility and inclusion project!
Why is it called the Side Yard Annex?
For the past decade, the property was farmed and maintained by Stacey Givens of the Side Yard Farm and Kitchen, another urban farm located around the corner in Portland's Cully Neighborhood. At the start of 2017 Stacey and the property owners Bob and Julie graciously donated the use of the land and water to Public Annex!
Image descriptions: 1) View of two of the newer raised garden beds. One is long and about 2 feet high with angled corners, it has leeks planted in it. The other raised bed is has angled key holes on one side. The ends of the garden bed are about one feet high and the center part is about three feet high. There is nothing but dirt in it. 2) Wide view of the farm space. There are two low beds in the foreground that have arugula planted in rows. There is a figure in the mid-ground pushing a wheelbarrow. The sky has stripes of clouds and the trees are very green in the background. 3) Em Halleen, white woman standing, and Sonya Hamilton, black woman sitting in a wheelchair, are positioned behind a table-top, keyhole style garden bed with various herbs planted in it. Both people are smiling. 4) Raised garden bed with multiple height levels and angled keyholes on one side. The ends of the garden bed are about one feet high and the center part is about three feet high. There is nothing but dirt and a lavender plant in it.
Our last work party of the season is November 11! Stay tuned for our 2019 Season Schedule
Farm Work Parties
Every Sunday May - November 2018 (depending on the weather)
11:30 AM - 2:00 PM
Side Yard Annex Farm, 5940 NE 45th St, Portland, OR 97218
FREE
Come volunteer with us every Sunday on the Side Yard Annex Farm! Help us with weeding, digging, building, planting, beautifying and more. Great opportunity to get some quality time playing in the dirt while learning more about urban farming, healthy food, the seasons, and sustainability. Collaborate with other artists and farmers to make the farm more and more accessible, bountiful and fun! All volunteers will walk away with fresh food from the farm. No farming experience necessary.
Bring water, snacks, comfy (weather appropriate) clothing that you don’t mind getting dirty, garden gloves and your favorite gardening tool if you have one! We have a limited supply of gloves and hand tools.
Location:
Side Yard Annex Farm
5940 NE 45th St.
Portland, OR 97218
On the corner of NE 45th St and Simpson Ave. 0.4 mile walk off of the 72 and 75 bus line. Street parking available. We suggest that Lifts and other vehicles enter NE 45th St from Ainsworth St. The road leading to the farm from NE Simpson is very uneven and can be difficult to traverse.
Farm programming is open to anyone 18+ with a passion for art and farming! Our programming focuses on inclusivity of adults with developmental disabilities, but we are working towards a culture where people all along the disability spectrum can work, create and experience life together!
* It is still a work in progress! Most areas of the farm are safe and wheelchair accessible and there is an accessible bathroom on site. Contact us with accessibility questions/concerns or suggestions: farm@publicannex[dot]org
BEFORE: The Side Yard Annex at the beginning of the 2017 season!
[Image description-A sprawling patch of greenery (weeds), The Side Yard Annex, with three small figures off in the distance surrounded by a building with a red door, trees, and a chain-link fence.
![AFTER: The Side Yard Annex July 2017! Paths and raised beds are still in progress but we have been working hard installing irrigation, growing food, leveling the ground and restructuring the layout! Stay tuned for the progress! [Image Description-Three garden long beds planted with nasturtiums and arugula separated by dirt pathways. One figure on the right hand side near a table, wooden shed and chicken coop in the background.]](https://static1.squarespace.com/static/58082d9459cc68e812751622/t/597bda0917bffc7a49e80d4c/1501288987359/sideyardannexfarm)
AFTER: The Side Yard Annex July 2017! Paths and raised beds are still in progress but we have been working hard installing irrigation, growing food, leveling the ground and restructuring the layout! Stay tuned for the progress!
[Image Description-Three garden long beds planted with nasturtiums and arugula separated by dirt pathways. One figure on the right hand side near a table, wooden shed and chicken coop in the background.]
![Find us around the corner from the Side Yard Farm and Kitchen! We are the Side Yard Annex! [Image description- Hand painted wooden signs. The Left hand side sign reads “Welcome to the Side Yard Annex. The Side Yard Annex is a project of Public Annex made possible by the Side Yard Farm + Kitchen located at 4800 NE Simpson. Public Annex is a 501c3 Non-profit that provides accessible urban farming and arts programming focusing on inclusivity of people with disabilities.” Right one reading "the Side Yard" in yellow and "Annex" in black on a white background. Image of a beet painted in the top right corner.]](https://static1.squarespace.com/static/58082d9459cc68e812751622/t/5be497614d7a9c97ed089b83/1541707635751/IMG_3983.JPG)
Find us around the corner from the Side Yard Farm and Kitchen! We are the Side Yard Annex!
[Image description- Hand painted wooden signs. The Left hand side sign reads “Welcome to the Side Yard Annex. The Side Yard Annex is a project of Public Annex made possible by the Side Yard Farm + Kitchen located at 4800 NE Simpson. Public Annex is a 501c3 Non-profit that provides accessible urban farming and arts programming focusing on inclusivity of people with disabilities.” Right one reading "the Side Yard" in yellow and "Annex" in black on a white background. Image of a beet painted in the top right corner.]
