Our Farms | The Village Agricultural Cooperative

Our Farmers & Our Farms

We are Farmers representing over 25 countries from around the globe, with the largest cultural groups coming from Cambodia, Mexico, and Kenya. We are primarily recent immigrants and first-generation individuals who come from agrarian communities. We seek land access for growing food, and several have expressed the desire to generate income through farming, growing on a larger scale and selling produce and other marketable goods locally.

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We believe that by reducing grocery bills for ourselves here in the USA, we can in turn support family members from our countries of origin at a higher level, creating a global impact. Many of us are are refugees of war, or come from countries currently experiencing war, drought, natural disasters, and extreme poverty. Our waiting list continues to grow as people from the Rochester area seek to grow food sustainably and affordably. We do not charge our farmers for their garden space, as we know many come from low-income households and/or support several family members here and abroad. Those who can afford to support our operating costs make a donation that works for their family.

We rent our land, mostly in urban settings. We are very grateful to the communities and individuals

that support our work and allow us to access land to grow food for our communities.

Where We Farm

The Village Community Garden at Rochester Covenant Church

At 3.5 acres, this is our largest community farm. We've expanded here every year since our start in 2020, and are grateful to the surrounding community for all of the support.

Presbyterian Church Farm

These 40x 30 foot plots are our largest. Originally founded in partnership with Channel One, the congregation is highly supportive of our efforts to increase food security.

Tomato tree trellis, Mexican corn, and grazing sheep.jpg

Jubilo Farm

Farm Manager Wilber de la Rosa supports our mostly Latino farmers at this location with our MDA research project. You'll find trellised tomatoes, Mexican corn, hundreds of tomatillo plants, and Dorper sheep grazing the fields if you come for a tour.

History Center of Olmsted County

Our friends at the History Center have a large fenced-in garden space, and they are willing to share with our growers. Located in a scenic setting in SW Rochester, this location is surrounded by historic buildings from the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

Green Thumb Initiative

Also known as the ALC Gardens, this was the first project of the Growing Home nonprofit organization, focused on supporting youth and their families who face many challenges in life. Through the support of the Master Gardeners, this program aims to involve youth and local volunteers to produce food for local families, the food shelf, and via distribution by the Rochester Public Library.

John Adams Middle School Gardens

Through a partnership with friends at one of Rochester's largest middle school, this project allows some of our growers to showcase international foods and how they are grown, connecting the food system with our youth and local community.