Whats Up with the Student Farm

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Whats Up withthe Student Farm?

• WUSA 2005-04-27
• Featuring the student farm planning class

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Outline

• Background 2004
• Orientation to farm location
• Farm planning class
• Mission/principles/objectives
• To market, to market
• What does our garden grow? (and how?)
• On-farm research (shroom, shroom!)
• Internship, manager, and volunteer opportunities

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Background

• Jareds comparison of other student farms (see
  www.misa.umn.edu/students/ assessment.html)
• 2004 summer
• garden

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Farm location
North
West
East
South
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Student farm planning class

• Consensus decision-making
• master plan
• Text Building a Sustainable Business
• Targeted assignments to achieve goals
• E.g., identifying/interviewing partner
  organizations, market analysis, plant assessments
  (vegetables, fruits, perennials, flowers, etc)

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Strategic planning

• Brainstorming goals
• Guiding principles
• Mission statement
• Goals/objectives ? plans

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• 1. Adhere to and educate others on sustainable
  organic farming practices2. Establish long term
  planting and structures, perennials3. Space
  available for individual projects upon approval
  by farm4. Creative Non conventional willingness
  to fail / try new things5. Diversity of
  Plants6. Year round greenhouse for continued
  production / exotic plants7. Demonstrate that a
  farm can be successful without extensivemechaniza
  tion8. To become a centerpiece for the students
  of agriculture9. Place for people to meet, think
  and learn about sustainability10. Use of local
  resources when possible, including compost11.
  Financially self sufficient12. Used as a model
  by other universities for how an organic farm
  works 13. Exceed National Organic farming
  standards14. Valued presence by both students
  and administration15. Cooperatively managed and
  planned by the participants16. Managed by a core
  group of students17. Science where possible 18.
  Habitat for wildlife incorporated into design19.
  Nitrogen / Carbon sources from plants on the
  farm20. Improved soil health over time21.
  Diversity of students, faculty, in and outside of
  the university(community education) using and
  learning from farm 22. Valued by students and
  administration as a vital part of the
  universityand it's mission23. Strong visibility
  in the university and the community24. Used as
  an extension resource in the classroom25.
  Availability of levels of involvement for anyone
  interested26. Eating our results

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Guiding principles

• Management (organizational structure student
  run)
• Crops farm management (grow, harvest, market
  diversity organic, sustainable practices)
• Science philosophy research (implement,
  monitor, and evaluate innovative practices)
• Education outreach (teach by example, formally
  and informally)

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Management Principles

• The student farm will be cooperatively planned
  and managed by a core group of students in
  collaboration with MISA, University faculty and
  other organizations.

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Crops Farm Management Principles

• The student farm through its operation will
  grow, harvest and market a diversity of crops
  using sustainable organic practices that utilize
  local resources, reflect natural ecosystems and
  improve the quality of the farmland.

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Science Philosophy Research Principles

• The student farm will encourage students to
  implement, monitor, and evaluate innovative and
  sustainable organic farming practices.

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Education Outreach Principles

• The student farm utilizes and teaches
  sustainable organic farming practices to
  students, faculty and community members. It will
  serve as a gathering place for interdisciplinary
  learning communities and a resource for extension
  in sustainable organic agriculture."

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Mission Statement

• To steward a student managed, organic,
  sustainable farm that provides food, a place for
  community building, multidisciplinary education,
  research and outreach.

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To market, to market

• University of MN Farmers Market on the East Bank
  Church Street
• July 13th 2005 August 24th 2005
• On campus market stand Fall Semester?
• Student Housing Co-op
• Hopkins School District
• Second Harvest

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What does our garden growand how?

• Cropping systems
• monoculture w/ mulch
• Companion planting
• Polyculture
• Keyhole
• Perennial guilds
• Cover crops

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(No Transcript)
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On-Farm research

• Application process
• Mushroom farming?

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Summer 2005 opportunities

• Volunteer! (sign up)
• Food-for-work program (details to come)
• Internships (apply for next year)

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Farm inputs (from you)
Great idea!