Market Gardener Program
& Bluegrass Urban Farm Friends (B.U.F.F)

We believe anyone can grow.
Our programming breaks barriers and meets people where they are.
Through hands-on opportunities, we educate, inspire, and empower growers of all ages and experience levels, helping people begin, thrive, or scale their gardening or farming dreams. What’s more? Our program outcomes are exponential, increasing nourishment and connection for individuals, their community, and the land we share.

Since 2017, two-acres of land along the North Limestone Corridor has served as our Seedleaf Community Farm. It is here that growers enrolled in our Market Gardener Program learn skills in small-scale farming and produce nutritious food for the city of Lexington without worrying about the cost of land.

    1. Summer: Program applications submitted and reviewed.

    2. Fall: Hands-on training & site visits

    3. Winter: Workshops

    4. Spring: Start growing at Seedleaf Community Farm

    • Food safety practices and guidelines

    • Basic horticultural practices

    • General business planning


    • “Fruit Production” with Dr. John Strang

    • “Selling at the Farmer’s Market” with Ryan Burnette

    • “Selling Produce to Restaurants and Kitchens” with Leandra Forman, FoodChain

    • “How to Upcycle Food Waste with Composting” with Christine Smith

    • “Business Planning and Marketing” with Olivia Vogel and Spencer Guinn of KCARD

    • “No-Till Farming” with Jesse Frost and Hannah Crabtree

    • “Diversifying Production with Chickens” with Travis Robinson

    • “Seed-keeping” with Chris Keeve

    • “Caring for the Grower” with Monet Proctor and Megan Pillsbury

    • “Selling to Restaurants, Season Extension, and More” with Zach Selby

    • “Pest Identification” with U.K Extension

    • “Seed Selection” with Johnny Seeds

  • We are no longer accepting applications for the 2026-2027 season. Check here next summer! Further application inquiries or updates can be sent to our farm manager: farm@seedleaf.org

Program Overview

The Market Gardener Program is a year long process of learning basic horticultural practices, food safety, and general business planning.

After application submission and review in August, selected participants dedicate 2 hours per week throughoutSeptember, October and November for hands-on training and farm tours. Seedleaf Market Gardeners take a break in December to reflect upon the knowledge, skills, and resources gleaned in the fall and to map out future plans for their spring operations. In January and February, participants continue their 2 hours a week commitment for indoor workshops. In March, participants graduate and enjoy a potluck celebration. Once formal training is complete, Market Gardeners have the option to grow food with support on a parcel of land at Seedleaf Community Farm and an opportunity to sell their produce with Seedleaf at the Lexington Farmers Market throughout the remaining growing season.

Helpful Information & Frequently Asked Questions

  • Participants meet weekly starting in September with the month of Decemeber off. This includes 24 hours of hands-on field training and 3 farm visits in the fall (12 sessions), 24 hours of workshops in the winter (12 sessions), and a 24-week market season throughout summer.

    The 2025-26 cohort will meet on Tuesdays from 4:00-6:00 pm.

  • Participants are paid a small stipend. In the spring season, they are given sections of land for their operations to apply what they have learned during the fall/winter months. This support from Seedleaf helps new Market Gardeners take risks and learn without the fear of financial ruin. Market Gardeners keep all proceeds earned from their efforts.

  • Anyone 18+ who lives in Fayette County is welcome to apply while applications are open.

    This program seeks to create a diverse cadre of growers who are able to supply Lexington communities, markets, and restaurants with fresh, local produce.

  • Throughout the program growers receive instruction, support, and connection to local market outlets for selling their produce. Seedleaf has partnered with Lexington Farmers Market to provide a fully supported market booth for growers to sell their produce on Sunday mornings at the Southland Drive Farmers Market from May to October.

Questions about the
Market Gardener Program? Contact: farm@seedleaf.org

Application

Designed for middle and high schoolers, this program cultivates the next generation of growers and farmers and further develops a robust and resilient local food system.

B.U.F.F. is a collaborative effort with our friends at FoodChain and supported by community partnership with organizations and municipalities such as Trees Lexington!, LiveGreen Lex, and LFUCG. Together, we equip students with skills and knowledge pertaining to sustainable agriculture, horticulture, ecology, botany, nutrition, food systems and food justice.

Questions? Contact: education@seedleaf.org

These programs are only possible because of friends like YOU!

Donate

  • Ensure more young people learn about their role in creating a strong local food system.

  • Ensure a beginning farmer
    has the resources they need
    to get started.

Your gift today makes
a difference!