In 2017, Seedleaf leased two acres of land along the North Limestone Corridor to serve as an urban farm. From the beginning, this space was dedicated to creating opportunities for growers to produce nutritious food for the Lexington community without worrying about the cost of land. In the United States the biggest barrier to growing food for new and beginning farmers is finding affordable land on which to grow. In dense cities, this problem is magnified. Seedleaf’s Market Garden program seeks to create a diverse cadre of growers who are able to supply Lexington communities, markets, and restaurants with fresh, local produce.

The Market garden program is a year long process of guiding participants (some of whom are learning how to grow food for the first time) through basic horticultural practices, food safety, and general business planning. Participants are paid a small stipend to support their participation in the program and in the spring of the following year they are given sections of land at the Urban farm for their operations. Seedleaf also coordinates market access and other resources for growers. The support of Seedleaf helps new Market Gardeners take risks and learn without the fear of financial ruin. Market Gardeners keep all proceeds earned from their efforts.

The Commitment: 16 hrs of hands on field training | 3 farm visits | 16 hours of indoor workshops | 24 week market season

Each year our indoor workshops vary. A sample of some of our previous workshops are below:

• Fruit Production with Dr. John Strang

• Selling at the Farmer's Market with Ryan Burnette

• Selling produce to restaurants and kitchens with Leandra Forman

• How to upcycle food waste into compost with Christine Smith

• Business Planning and Marketing with Olivia Vogel and Spencer Guinn of KCARD

• No-till farming with Jesse Frost and Hannah Crabtree

• Diversifying production with Chickens with Travis Robinson

• Seedkeeping with Chris Keeve

• Caring for the Grower with Monet Proctor and Megan Pillsbury

• Selling to restaurants, season extension, and more with Zach Selby

For field trips, Seedleaf has coordinated visits for growers to Rough Draft Farmstead, Dreamtime Market Gardens, Salad Days, FoodChain, Tim Hensley’s Farmstead amongst several others. The goal with field trips is to introduce growers to a diversity of farming operations and to provide participants with real life stories of how local growers operate, problem solve and market their farms.

Through the Market Garden Program, growers receive instruction, support and connection to local market outlets for selling their produce. Seedleaf has partnered with the the Lexington Farmers Market (LFM) to provide a fully supported market booth for growers to sell their produce and the opportunity to build a network of buyers over a 24 week-season, May-October. Seedleaf has also partnered with GrowAppalachia. GrowAppalachia works with beginning growers throughout the region to provide material resources, technical assistance and additional training. Seedleaf works to coordinate co-led workshops with GrowAppalachia staff during the Market Garden Program.

Meet some Market Gardener AlumNi!

Seedleaf Market Gardener Application

Applicants Must fill out an application as the first step in applying. Once applications are received, selected applicants will be asked to participate in an in-person interview. Applicants must be able to work outdoors, lift objects that are 10-15lbs, bend and attending weekly evening workshops for 2-hours a week, September through March. Enrollees must also commit to missing no more than 2 workshops over the course of the program. If you have any additional questions, please email admin@seedleaf.org