Our History

The Food Literacy Project began in 2005 at the agricultural oasis between Oxmoor Country Club and Interstate 64. Since 2004, Field Day Family Farm, a tenant operation on this parcel of Oxmoor Farm, has cultivated 8 acres of fresh produce for a variety of local markets. Due to the farm’s unique setting in what is otherwise a highly suburban neighborhood, that year a local teacher asked to bring her students to the farm for a hands-on experience. Knowing that this was more than a busy vegetable farmer could take on, Field Day Farmer Ivor Chodkowski recognized the need for a farm-based food education program that encouraged participants to touch, smell, taste, hear and observe the plants and animals on the farm. With the goal of developing educational programs, Field Day Farm conducted a pilot education project in 2005 to test the idea of exposing young people to working models of urban agriculture through on-farm experiential education programs. That season, farm staff facilitated monthly educational programs for school classes, public school faculty summer institutes, and summer camp groups. After much success and positive feedback from the pilot project, a nonprofit educational agency was formed to work in partnership with Field Day Farm to bring urban communities in Louisville back to the roots of their food. In June of 2006 the Food Literacy Project at Oxmoor Farm was born.

2005

Began the pilot education program on Field Day Family Farm

2006

Established the Food Literacy Project as a 501c3 non-profit. Formed a board, and Carol Gundersen was hired as the new Executive Director. Programming was volunteer-led.

2007

Established the Youth Learning Garden. Launched the Entrepreneurial Youth Development program. 1,500 students got their hands dirty on the farm with hands-on experience.

2008

Began the Professional Development program. Opened the Program Office, and established a Garden Pavilion. Held the first Family Farm Day.

2009

Launched the Multi-Visit Field-to-Fork program to deepen student connections with the farm

2010

Served every JCPS environmental magnet school student with the Field-to-Fork Program. Connected the Multi-Visit program with a Family Program. Began building the Outdoor Teaching Kitchen.   Held the first Field-to-Fork

2011

Opened the Outdoor Teaching Kitchen with First Lady Jane Beshear cutting the ribbon. Began the Youth Service Internship program. Over 3,000 students got their hands dirty on the farm. Hired

2012

Hired the first Program Coordinator. Reached 15,000 volunteer hours.

2013

Opened an Administrative Office and Learning Center. Received our first national foundation grant from Johnson & Johnson.

2014

Received our first Federal Grant (USDA). Launched the Field-to-Fork After School Clubs with family engagement and food access.

2015

Received Her Royal Highness Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, for a visit. Launched the Truck Farm.

2016

Celebrated our 10 year anniversary with the fact that more than 40,000 youth and their families discovered the power of fresh vegetables. Established the Perennial Society.

2017

Launched programming at Iroquois Urban Farm. Established the Iroquois High School A2G program partnership, expanding YCAP to both summer and academic year tracks.

2018

Hired the first Youth Community Food Leaders, expanding YCAP to year-round opportunities for teens and young adults. Began the management of South Points Farmers’ Market. Celebrated the groundbreaking on Iroquois

2019

Spearheaded a robust community engagement effort; connecting with community members and neighbors, building community support and sharing messages about healthy lifestyles, environmental stewardship and community transformation. Worked with neighbors and

2020

Donated 2,000+ lbs. of youth-grown produce to community partners in response to the COVID-19 crisis to provide immediate support to neighbors in need. Cultivated online content to reach a broader

2021

Engaged youth, neighbors, partners, and stakeholders in a visioning process that resulted in plans to launch a next-level job training program for young people ages 18-25. Notified by LMHA of plans