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Seeds of change (continued)
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| "The students working out there on the farm are go-getters," said MSU professor and Friends of Local Foods adviser Alison Harmon. |
Providing a service to the community is just one component of MSU's commitment to sustainable agriculture. Another component will be working to integrate sustainable agriculture into MSU's curriculum. With several others, Alison Harmon, an MSU food nutrition professor, is developing the curriculum, which will address sustainable food systems, bio-fuels, markets and consumer interests. The proposed interdisciplinary degree program, "Sustainable Food and Bioenergy Systems," will be reviewed by the Board of Regents this spring.
It's important to do this, Harmon said, because she believes that local food production forces people to feel the effects of their food choices. In turn, that encourages healthier, more sustainable production.
Harmon views the farm as a chance to start integrating community service with good nutrition, food and learning.
"I think that it's really important that the university demonstrates its commitment to the community," Harmon said. "The garden is a community showpiece. I think it's important that the university—being a Land Grant university in particular—is engaged in the local food economy."
It makes sense that curriculum should be emphasized, Harmon said, because student farmers are critical to the farm's future viability. Similarly, continued involvement from a core group of passionate, committed students is crucial to the farm's success, Hess predicted.
"A thriving student body is necessary for this (farm) to continue," Hess said. "We need students who really care about this and who will work hard to ensure its success."
With the successful first season for Towne's Harvest Garden, talk has turned to the farm's future. Friends of Local Foods ended the season with about $5,000 seed money for next year's supplies.
"We hope to get closer to fiscal self-reliance in years two and three," Harmon said. "We are also applying for grants to help with infrastructure needs."
For 14 weeks, we fed 250-300 people. I'm amazed with how much we harvested off two and a half acres. I feel very hopeful about the ability to create change in our food system on a small, local level.
--Kaly Hess, MSU
agroecology student |
Shareholders like Bentz are enthusiastic about buying a share of vegetables again in 2008, and the group running the CSA would like to increase the number of shares sold to 50 or 60. The Gallatin Valley Food Bank remains committed to the program and renewing the grant, Grenier said. Further, it would like to increase its number of shares and also find a way to produce more staples, such as carrots and green beans.
Though Hess's involvement with the farm will likely come to an end when she earns a bachelor of science degree in land resource sciences in December, she said her time at MSU has been invaluable.
"For 14 weeks, we fed 250-300 people," Hess said. "I'm amazed with how much we harvested off two and a half acres. I feel very hopeful about the ability to create change in our food system on a small, local level."
Sowing seeds for this summer's garden began several months ago, and the seeds are slated to move from the greenhouse to the farm in April. The long hours students will need to put in for a successful harvest will be worth it, Hess predicted. Like the garden, Hess predicts the project will keep growing.
"Farming is so complex and challenging," she said. "But it's also incredibly rewarding, because agriculture and food connect us all. It's important."
> Spring 2008 Contents
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