|
Ag College to start student-run
organic vegetable farm
By Lisa Rose Woodworth
March 21, 2008 | The USU College of Agriculture will
begin a student-run organic vegetable farm about one
mile north of campus this spring.
The one-acre farm is part of about five acres of newly
certified organic property owned by the Agricultural
Experiment Station. The land will be used to produce
fruit and vegetables for consumption and also for research
by faculty and students on the four acres at the rear
of the plot.
Faculty members Dr. Jennifer Reeve, the newly hired
organic agriculture professor, and Dr. Dan Drost will
advise the farm. However, Reeve said students will handle
most of the work.
"We envision that the students will really take responsibility
of planning and managing the farm together as a group,"
Reeve said. "We also see it becoming a fun place to
be with community outreach events, student taught workshops
and social activities."
Reeve said they hope that the profit from students
selling produce on campus will one day cover production
costs and hiring interns. She said the experience as
a volunteer is open to students from all majors and
the perks for helping will possibly be free organic
produce.
The farm is the product of more than three years of
planning by the plants, soils and climate department.
They hope the farm will become self-sustaining and provide
summer practicums for volunteers, student-organized
classes and workshops for local schools, and music and
food events. Drost and Reeve are seeking community funding
to build a meeting space, tool shed, vegetable preparation
and storage room, as well as a restroom, deer fence
and irrigation equipment.
"I am very excited about the potential for this student
farm," Reeve said. "Other universities have successful
student farms and I think it will provide limitless
possibilities for creativity, learning and fun."
Reeves said they want to hear from the students, saying
they will learn most when planning themselves the rotations,
fertility management, planting, weeding and harvesting
schedules. All students are invited to the first meeting
to be at 2 p.m. Friday in AgSci 315.
MS
MS
|
