Oregon couple turn lawn into garden, deliver 10 tons of free food

When Jean-Marie and Cory Buxton bought a one-acre property in Corvallis, Oregon, in 2018, they saw an opportunity to do more with the land than simply maintain a lawn. The couple removed a portion of the grass, planted organic vegetables and created a fruit orchard, turning their backyard into a food-growing initiative for people facing food insecurity.

What started as a family effort has since expanded into a network involving local farmers, backyard gardeners, private donors and Oregon State University. Through their initiative, called The Farmette Project, the Buxtons have helped distribute 10 tons of free fresh produce to food banks, free food stands and Native American communities by the 2025 growing season.How an Oregon couple turned their lawn into a food-producing gardenThe idea took shape when the Buxtons moved to Oregon's Willamette Valley and noticed the contrast between the region's agricultural abundance and the limited access to fresh produce in some nearby communities.