By Devin Kelly, For The Mountain Times
Nestled within the heart of Sandy is a quiet garden space blooming with fresh energy and purpose. Made possible by a generous land use donation from the Leathers Family, the Sandy Youth Garden is part of AntFarm Youth Services’ Outdoor Learning program. It’s a living classroom where youth, staff, volunteers, and families come together to grow food, steward the land, and cultivate connection.
Under the leadership of AntFarm team member and local farmer Carson Krause, the garden has been transformed since its relaunch this February. “The garden is a place where all kinds of people come to learn how to grow their own food,” Carson says. “But more than that, it’s a space where the ethos and techniques of a low-income, community-oriented growing style can be shared freely with anyone who wants to learn.”
The Food: Feeding People, Not Profits
AntFarm’s Sandy Youth Garden focuses on providing fresh, healthy food for families, AntFarm Café customers, and local food banks – while teaching youth practical, hands-on skills along the way. In Sandy, that begins in the greenhouse.
Since winter, youth have been busy creating potting soil from scratch using homemade compost and natural ingredients – no pricey garden store products required. The nutrient-rich mix fills seed trays now sprouting everything from leafy greens to hardy brassicas, destined for raised beds in the gardens. Some transplants will also be shared with volunteers and sold to neighbors through the AntFarm Café and the local farmers market.
Thanks to the revitalization of tired soils using compost and cover crops, Carson says, “We’re making huge progress in nutrifying our soils, so we can produce the best food possible.” A wide mix of flowers and native plants also ensures that beneficial insects – like Oregon’s beloved mason bees – thrive alongside the vegetables.
The Compost: Waste Becomes Wealth
Carson’s philosophy is clear: “We generate nearly all of our fertility and gardening materials from waste products.” Composting is not just a sustainability measure – it’s a central educational component. Youth and volunteers learn to make rich, living soil by converting organic materials from AntFarm’s café, local farms, outdoor fuel reduction programs, and community donations.
In fact, the compost system is a powerful visual lesson. On any given volunteer day, youth can be found tossing grass clippings and food scraps into bins, layering leaves and wood chips, and learning about the micro-organisms that transform “trash into treasure.”
New partnerships are expanding that work: Carson is now collaborating with Mount Hood Brewing to repurpose spent yeast and protein into high-nitrogen compost ingredients.
As one candid photo from a snack break shows, the compost pile is more than just a heap of decaying matter – it’s a conversation starter, a hands-on science lab, and a symbol of growth.
The Community: From Seed Swaps to Shared Labor
The Sandy Youth Garden has quickly become a hub for community building. At the Sandy Public Library’s annual Seed Swap in February, Carson offered free seeds, planting advice, and encouragement to local gardeners. Since then, community outreach has expanded.
Youth and volunteers recently helped restore the Gardens of Enchantment, a sensory garden at the Hull Foundation for Blind Adults. Closer to home, the team gives away compost and wood chips to neighbors and invites anyone with garden waste to contribute to their systems.
Carson sums it up best: “The AntFarm gardens are starting to serve as connective tissue between different growers and stewards in the area.”
Moments That Matter
Among the most heartwarming highlights this spring was an unexpected moment with Oregon’s native mason bees. Former AntFarm gardener Julie Welch dropped off tubes filled with dormant bee cocoons. When they began hatching on a youth workday, the kids were captivated – spending hours observing, learning, and even gently holding bees as they emerged.
“Mason bees are very docile and quite friendly,” Carson explained. “They almost never sting, and they’re actually better pollinators than honeybees.” With just a handful of paper straws or hollow bamboo, families can create bee habitats at home – a simple step with big ecological benefits.
These types of hands-on, wonder-filled experiences are what the Sandy Youth Garden is all about. It’s where knowledge becomes action, and curiosity becomes care.
Try This at Home: Simple Tips from the Sandy Garden
Inspired by the work at AntFarm? Here are a few easy ways to bring that same spirit to your own yard or windowsill:
- Start composting: Use a bin or pile to layer kitchen scraps (like vegetable peels), dry leaves, and grass clippings. Let nature do the rest.
- Skip the store: Make your own potting mix using compost, soil, and sand — or reuse containers to start seeds indoors.
- Plant for pollinators: Choose native plants and leave space for bees. Even a few flowerpots can help!
- Swap and share: Trade seeds with neighbors or join a local seed library to expand your garden without spending money.
Join the Movement: Volunteer at the Sandy Youth Garden
There’s still work to be done — and plenty of opportunity to get your hands dirty.
AntFarm’s Youth Garden Volunteer Days are open to people of all ages and skill levels. Whether you want to learn to garden, help mentor youth, or simply spend a day outdoors with purpose, there’s a place for you.
To sign up or for more info, give us a call at 503-668-7962. Or drop by the garden on one of our open days – you might just find yourself feeding a bee, planting garlic, or building soil from the ground up.
Because at the Sandy Youth Garden, AntFarm is not just growing vegetables – we’re growing community.