Major Projects and Accomplishments
2008
- Seeds for the 2008 planting season were purchased with a $200 donation from Organic Valley. This gift generated $2000 in produce sales.
- A Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program was proposed by students to fund paid summer internships.
- New classes, PSC4900 (Student Farm Practicum) and PSC3800 (Fundamentals of Organic Farming) were created to increase student participation.
- Students designed and constructed a tool shed and CSA pickup area at the farm.
- Installment of on-site water at the farm was accomplished with fundraising efforts by students and faculty mentor and matching funds from the College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences (CAAS).
- The number of CSA half shares was increased from 25 to 55, providing means for two more interns, in addition to the original four.
- The farm successfully applied for six summer internship positions through the Utah Conservation Corps AmeriCorps program. The program provides interns with a living stipend and education award. Matching funds are required, which are generated by the student farm through the produce sales and CSA.
- The farm was officially Certified Organic by the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food.
- The USU Student Organic farm created several new internships through the Utah Campus Compact AmeriCorps program dedicated to outreach and education on campus and to the wider community.
- The farm has participated since 2009 in campus activities such as the USU Health Expo, Wellness day, Earth Day, Food Day, and Day on the Quad.
- The farm increased its services on campus by providing organic produce for the Dietetics Soup CSA program in 2015, which provides matching funds needed for the extension of existing internship hours.
