Organic Food Access for Farm Workers

Working Theory is a suburban farm in Washington County, Oregon, that aims to provide mentorship and employment opportunities to at-risk youth. The farm also generates organic produce that helps support groups facing food insecurity.

The Farm to Fork program invites youth on probation, with pending charges, or who are struggling with homelessness to gain hands-on work experience. They earn academic credit while learning about plants and animals and building a variety of skills. The farm also offers workforce transition programming for recent high school graduates with developmental disabilities.

In partnership with Centro Cultural, the bulk of their weekly harvest is distributed to low- income, Latinx families and other food-insecure populations in the area. In recent years, Working Theory has collaborated with Centro to tailor its crop plan to include culturally relevant options such as tomatillos, cilantro, blue corn for masa, and chiles.

Working Theory Farm will receive a $78,000 grant from Simply Organic® in 2025-2026 to expand farm operation, food distribution, and mentorship and employment opportunities.