The nonprofit was established in 2024 by individuals of the Cottage Grove community who had been actively engaged in saving one of its longtime small, local businesses – the Coast Fork Farm Stand – when faced with possible eviction and closure in the spring of 2024. Hundreds of Grover’s came out to help pack, move and unpack the Farm Stand. A caravan of vehicles moved inventory and equipment to the new location across Main Street within three hours. Local customers filled tables with breakfast, coffee and snacks for the work party. A remarkable display of community engagement!

Coast Fork Farm Stand, owned by Scott Burgwin, has over the last decade become an absolutely integral part of the Cottage Grove community. Thousands of hours dedicated by Scott and others have culminated in one of, if not the only, easily accessible hub for the purveying and sale of local, healthy, organic, biodynamic, sustainably grown or manufactured, produce, plants and other goods in town.

Since opening the Farm Stand, Scott has run a business that does not focus on profit, but instead on accessibility, and has dedicated himself to bringing local cultivators, creators and micro businesses into this space, allowing the community direct access to the above. He has also sourced products from many Eugene family businesses with an organic and/or sustainable production focus.

In the process of safeguarding the longterm survival of the Coast Fork Farm Stand it became evident that the Cottage Grove community wanted to develop a larger, physical space where a number of needs might be filled in relation to health, food access and food security, sustainable farming and production practices, emergency preparedness, support for small, local businesses – as well as a space where locals and visitors can find connections and community through music, art, food, beverages, classes and workshops.

The idea of creating an umbrella public benefit nonprofit organization evolved, focusing on developing a community space that meets the needs of the local community for information about access to healthy, fresh, sustainably grown and produced foods; learning new skills and gaining knowledge through community based educational gatherings, events, and workshops; assisting with the transition of the community’s local Farm Stand into a nonprofit food co-op to ensure its long term survival; and creating the foundation for our Commons – a public space where local population and visitors can gather knowledge and develop common ground.

Twinberry Commons was born and applied for 501c3 status at the end of 2024 and plans to partner with local stakeholders and other nonprofits to make this community project a reality.

Twinberry Commons is determined to carry on Scott’s legacy by serving the community in ways similar to the principles that guides his operations.