The addition of farms to college campuses has grown over the past decade. The reasons for this growth are as varied as the farm schools in the U.S. themselves. Farm-to-table meals at restaurants are becoming increasingly popular. This requires many students in the food industry to have some background in agriculture, sustainability, and food production.
Today’s college farms are not simply research facilities as they have been in the past. College farms provide students with hands-on experience in the growth of crops and animals. Students are able to learn more about how plants thrive, what can damage their growth, and how best to maximize yield in a crop. The life-cycle of animals is demonstrated first-hand. This provides information for all types of career paths, including veterinary medicine and pharmaceutical development.
Campus farms also provide benefits to the community. Although the main purpose of a campus farm is for students to learn, they also provide opportunities for student organizations. Many of these organizations serve the community that surrounds the campus. Some campuses arrange for tables at local farmers’ markets. The students can sell the fresh produce or other products produced by the farm. This allows them to build networks within the community that can help further them in their careers.
There is ample research to indicate that spending time in green space restores mental clarity and refocuses attention. Gardening and managing animals has long been known to reduce anxiety and depression. It has also helped many hospital patients recover quickly. Farms provide a powerful social atmosphere. This gives participants ownership in what is produced.
Sustainability is a big factor in environmental concerns today. More people are seeking ways to sustain quality of living while reducing their carbon footprint. Campus farms provide insight into ways to live a more healthy, frugal and natural lifestyle. This makes a college farm beneficial for students studying nutrition, sports medicine, and other human health programs.
These 35 colleges with farms are considered the top ranking in the United States. The farm integrates well with students on campus, providing all students with the opportunity to benefit from the farm. In addition, they are strongly integrated into the community with students interacting with local citizens as part of their education in a way that may not be possible without the farm. The farms are sustainable. Each of them has courses taught directly on the farm, not just in a classroom.
35. Dartmouth College
The Dartmouth Organic Farm comes in at rank 35. It is operated through the school’s Sustainability Office. It is just north of the campus and has two acres of production. The farm grows flowers, herbs, and vegetables that are all certified organic. It has been in operation for over four years and is entirely student-operated. There is a farm manager-advisor. Field research is performed on the farm. It also offers leisure activities along the river that runs adjacent. Professors often hold other classes there when the weather is suitable. The farm hopes to implement:
- renewable energy
- alternative waste treatment
- composting toilet facilities
- a biogas digester
- conservation technology
Students are asked to commit two or three hours a few times each week in order to handle one crop. This gives them an education based in seed-to-sale. There are internships available as well. The farm is located along a river that allows boating, swimming, and fishing. The community is permitted to use the farm for birding or to learn more about natural history as well as visit the greenhouse.
You can learn more about the farm and programming here.
34. College of the Atlantic
The College of the Atlantic offers students two campus farms. They are Beech Hill and Peggy Rockefeller Farms. Beech Hill is a MOFGA certified organic farm on 73 acres that includes:
- vegetable fields
- heirloom apple orchards
- five greenhouses
- open forest
There are also pastures for pig and poultry. It is a working farm that grows produce and meat not only for the College of the Atlantic but also for the surrounding community. The farm provides the college with a sustainable system of food production. The farm also operates a seasonal farm market. It sells to local merchants as well. The Peggy Rockefeller Farms are part of the largest contiguous area of historic farmland in the area. The farm was a gift from David Rockefeller to be used in perpetuity for agriculture and conservation. All electricity is generated by solar panels. There are fruit trees planted near the farmhouse. Pastures have been limed. There is an established vegetable garden. The campus farm has a small flock of Romeny and Katahdin sheep that were funded through a seed grant. There are also cows and chickens and an orchard. The farm uses composting as part of its sustainability program. Courses are offered on the farm. Students may also use the farm for independent research and group study.
You can learn more about the farm and its programming here.
33. California Polytechnic State University
The Cal Poly campus farm is a nine-acre production unit. It is operated by the Horticulture and Crop Science Department. The farm is certified organic by the California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF). It provides students with hands-on experiences. Produce grown on the farm is marketed to the local community. It is sold in local farmer’s markets. There is also a campus farm market. There are many restaurants in the area that are customers of the farm. Any produce not sold is donated to a local food bank. Research is conducted on the farm. There are classes scheduled directly on the farm acreage. This provides students real-world situations in the areas of organic farming, sustainability, and gardening practices.
You can learn more about the farm and programming here.
32. Western Washington University
The Outback is a joint effort between the Associated Students and Fairhaven College. It is a five-acre farm designed to coordinate a wide range of opportunities for students. There are personal and collaborative events and projects related to organic gardening, sustainable land use, and habitat restoration. Students obtain meaningful networking opportunities through their contact with the community during their work on the farm. There are classes held there as well as workshops and lectures. Students are provided volunteer opportunities through The Outback. They may also find paid employment on the farm. There is a community garden with plots available at no cost to students, staff, faculty, and community members. There is also an herb and ethnobotany garden as well as an amphitheater that can be used as an outdoor classroom.
You can learn more about the farm and programming here.
31. Duke University
Duke University has a college farm dedicated to creating positive change in growing methods, eating habits, and the understanding of food. The farm uses sustainable methods to grow produce. There is a living laboratory designed for food-related research. It began as a student project in 2010. It has evolved into a working farm that supplies thousands of pounds of fresh produce to campus dining halls. There is a Community-Supported Agricultural (CSA) system that connects the farm to consumers. Members of the CSA are able to obtain produce throughout the summer season. This provides students with excellent community networking capabilities. Duke also offers transportation in the form of free Uber rides between the main campus and the farm. Food Study courses work in conjunction with the farm They often hold classes there.
You can learn more about the farm and their programming here.
30. Earlham College
The Miller Farm at Earlham College furthers the campus’ long history of engaging in agriculture. The farm focuses on sustainable living and explorative learning for students. The farm began in 2014. By 2016 it had about one-acre of land planted with plans to plant significantly more. There are also community garden plots. A large portion of the farm is planted with hay as an income-bearing crop. A new composting facility, a high tunnel, and a shipping container are some of the sustainable projects the Miller Farm plans to implement shortly. Students often lead Sustainable Agriculture Practicums at the farm. The farm is managed by students. There are also goats and chickens. Students may live on the farm. They are required to perform chores like:
- feeding animals
- gathering eggs
- composting
- making bread
- cleaning house
- getting wood
Up to eight people can live in the farmhouse which also houses several cats used for mouse control. The students who live on the farm must participate in Saturday “Farm Days.” That is open to all Earlham students starting at 10:30 AM. A homemade lunch is provided at 1:30 PM.
You can learn more about the farm and programming here.
29. Penn State University
Penn State University has a farm operation that manages crops and livestock as a teaching tool. It is operated by the College of Agricultural Sciences. Penn State Extension also has a Farm Management program. That is where students can develop an understanding of the best methods for managing a farming business. The college farms include a Beef-Sheep Center where they raise:
- brood cows
- calves
- herd sires
- market cattle
There is also a Dairy Barn where approximately 500 animals are housed. The Haller Farm houses 200 Angus and crossbred beef cattle which are used for education, genetics, nutrition and forage research. Approximately 75 percent of the cattle born are marketed to meat processors, providing students with networking opportunities in the community. The farms are sustainable, using animal manure efficiently and providing land stewardship. The crops grown on the farm are used primarily for livestock food.
You can learn more about the farm and programming here.
28. Sterling College
Sterling Farm is a great choice among farming colleges. It has been an important part of Sterling College’s education since the school began. It is ecologically-focused. It is a part of campus life. Almost 20 percent of the food eaten on the campus is grown on the farm. Almost one-quarter of the students who attend work on the farm. This provides them with hands-on experience in crop management, livestock lifecycles, woodlands and the diverse power systems used. The school has been a leader in offering “real food” to students with 74 percent of the food served on campus considered natural or organic. The farm has gardens, pastures, and forested land. The McCarthy Barns house hogs, sheep, steers and hens during inclement weather. During grass-feeding season, the animals are found in the pastures. This includes a flock of meat-birds of broilers and turkeys. Draft horses housed in the Alfond Barn are the main power source. There is a green woodworking studio and a farrier shop as well. This provides students with networking opportunities with the local community. Crops are planted in raised beds while others are horse-cultivated. Approximately 60 different vegetable crops, as well as some fruits, nuts, and other tree fruits, are also produced.
You can learn more about the farm and programming here.
27. University of Idaho
The Palouse Research, Extension, and Education Center at the University of Idaho has eight facilities. They provide education or research into plant and animal sciences. The Beef Center includes a Charolais herd used in judging clinics, contests, and fairs throughout the region. The cattle are marketed to ranches throughout the Northwest. This provides students with an insight into the sales aspect of farming. There are 100 milking cows in the Dairy Center. An almost pure Holstein herd is milked twice each day. There is also a Sheep Center that provides locations for research and education related to:
- veterinary science
- sheering
- handling
- marketing
None of the land on the Kambitsch Farm is irrigated. Approximately 180 acres are used for field plot research. No-till and minimum-till research is conducted on the farm. Approximately 15 acres is used for livestock pasture. The Parker Farm is also used to grow crops for research. The Sixth Street Greenhouse is fully automated and environmentally controlled. It has its own weather station that records temperature, humidity, wind speed and direction as well as photosynthetically useful sunlight. There is also a feed mill and entomological laboratory.
You can learn more about the farm and programming here.
26. Washington State University
The Eggert Family Organic Farm at Washington State University operates through the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences. It has been certified organic since 2004. It is committed to:
- education
- research
- extension
The main goal of the farm is to provide students with the skills necessary to grow organic fruits and vegetables in a small-scale environment. In addition to 30 annual crops, the farm includes an herb garden, medicinal herb garden, and some fruits. The campus farm is irrigated using an efficient drip system. All labor is provided by students and volunteers. There is a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program which is a partnership between farmers and customers. Members are able to purchase produce from the college farm providing students with the ability to develop relationships with community members.
You can learn more about the farm and programming here.
25. Prescott College
Juniper Well Ranch is a 42-acre guest ranch used by Prescott College to provide students with an understanding of agroecology and equine sciences. It is home to some of the largest alligator juniper trees in the world. It is surrounded by the Prescott National Forest. There are also cottonwood and mesquite trees students use for hands-on studies. Ecological principals to agriculture production are the focus. Studies are spread throughout the growing season. This gives students an overview of the entire cycle. The farm uses Natural Systems Agriculture, a perennial system created to mimic natural plant communities in a particular ecosystem. Regionally adapted crops maintain genetic diversity while conserving water and maintaining the fertility of the soil.
You can learn more about Prescott College here.
24. University of Virginia
The Blandy Experimental Farm has an arboretum. It consists of 5,000 living trees. Those include conifers, boxwood, and cedar of Lebanon alee. There is an herb garden and the Virginia Native Plant Trail. Field-based ecological research is conducted at the farm. This research includes plant pollination, plant-animal interaction, gypsy moth destruction and other studies that have led to significant discovery. In addition to programs offered to students at UVA, Blandy Farm provides inquiry-based education to pre-kindergarten through 12th grade students at area schools. There are public programs available as well that include:
- workshops
- lectures
- tours’
- children’s camps
You can learn more about the farm and programming here.
23. Berry College
Berry College Farms are considered one of the college’s student enterprises. The entire farm is operated by students as part of a work-experience program. Students develop and maintain the ongoing operation with faculty acting as co-manager. Berry Farms has seven components that include:
- AgriEducation
- Angus Beef
- Berry Bees
- Blue Hen Eggs
- Genetics
- Jersey Milk
- Martha’s Herbs
- Season’s Harvest
The AgriEducation Department provides interactive tours to elementary schools in the area. They are all led by college students. The tours are specially written to meet Georgia Curriculum Standards. This gives students a unique opportunity to not only give back to the community but to improve their own teaching skills in a hands-on setting. Many of the departments provide consumables to the local community including:
- cheeses
- honey
- herbs
- eggs
- milk
This adds to the understanding of growth, processing, and marketing in the agricultural community.
You can learn more about the farm and programming here.
22. University of Maine
The Rogers Farm Forage and Crop Research Facility provides students with a location for sustainable agriculture research, extension, and projects. Crops grown on the farm include:
- corn
- potatoes
- beans
- grains
- mixed vegetables
The Penobscot County Master Gardeners Demonstration Garden is housed on the site. Students operate the Black Bear Food Guild. That is a community-supported agriculture program. Both projects provide students with real-world experience beyond agriculture. This gives them connections in the community and allows them to see the true farm-to-table process. Research conducted at the college farm includes:
- organic cereal production
- nutrient management
- ecological weed control
- pest management
Research performed on tuber formation in potatoes at Rogers farm became useful to potato growers.
You can learn more about the farm and programming here.
21. Cornell University
Cornell University is a top farming college. It has several college farms designed to provide students with hands-on learning and to serve the community. Host work parties are held throughout the year allowing volunteers to work the fields and gain experience. The farms are sustainable with a composting facility that collects about 850 tons of food scraps from campus dining halls. The farm also assists in the disposal of animal manure and bedding from the School of Veterinary Medicine. Plant material from ground houses are also composted on the farm. Dulman Hill Farm provides organic produce to the dining halls and also sells directly to the public. There is also a turf and landscape center, orchards, a vegetable research farm, and a Musgrave research facility. Students are provided extensive experience dealing with community members. They develop an understanding of animal and plant life, from seed or birth all the way through the marketing process.
You can learn more about the farm and programming here.
20. Ferrum College
The Titmus Agricultural Center creates opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience in the agricultural industry. The Farm-to-Café Program markets produce grown on the farm to college campus dining halls. Projects using livestock allow students to develop real-world experience. Students have been actively involved in building the farm. Duties range from constructing greenhouses to managing gardens. Additional learning experiences are had through trips to local, state, and regional gardens, nurseries, and orchards. There are sheep, cattle, and horses. There is also a greenhouse that provides students methods for blending natural science and crop studies. A Show and Grow event is held each year around Earth Day with the local community invited to learn more about sustainable agriculture. The Giving Garden collaborates with community gardens who donate to local individuals who are in need, providing students with a sense of giving back to the community.
You can learn more about the farm and programming here.
19. University of Minnesota Duluth
The SAP Farm Land Lab at the University of Minnesota Duluth provides students with a solutions-oriented approach to working on an organic farm. The farm is sustainable with a farm-scale wind turbine, climate resilient water systems, and biodiversity enhancement. Students are provided access to the community through partnerships such as the Intertribal Agriculture Council and the Northeast Beekeepers Association. More than 90 percent of the produce grown at the location is for use on campus. There are also many green programs such as the Student Sustainability Coalition and Net Impact. Students are also able to conduct research on ecosystems, plant and animal populations, and how species react to a changing landscape. Academic classes, workshops, and training programs are held on the farm. Communication with the public and engaging the community is stressed throughout all the programs offered at the farm.
You can learn more about the farm and programming here.
18. Pomona College Farm
The Pomona College Farm is a working farm college on campus that consists of:
- fruit trees
- vegetables
- herbs
- chickens
- bee hives
There is a West Farm with fruit trees, gardens, chickens, and an outdoor classroom. It also has a composting toilet and is where the Earth Dome is located. The East Farm contains an orchard, crops, banana grove, greenhouse, and beehives. It also has a composting system. The farm plans to add a produce refrigerator, a covered kitchen area, farm vehicle, and other products. One recent addition is the Indigenous Heritage Garden. The college also operates a farm stand allowing students to improve their marketing and business skills. It also helps with their knowledge of agriculture. This also provides them with a connection to the community as well as additional networking options. The campus also sponsors the Claremont Food Justice Summit with events, workshops, and speakers.
You can learn more about the farm and programming here.
17. Clemson University
The Student Organic Farm at Clemson is one of the top farms at good agriculture colleges. It is a fully operational demonstration farm on campus. It is a significant resource for training in sustainable as well as organic agriculture. The farm follows the National Organic Program rules that prohibit the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. The school operates a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program that provides fresh produce for the local community. This organization allows students to network and build business-related skills as well as an understanding of agriculture. Programs on the farm are interdisciplinary with students studying at all levels and in various subjects. The farm relies on student involvement in management, production, and marketing. High-value vegetables, small fruits, herbs, and cut flowers are sold through the farm as well as at local farmer’s markets. All aspects of sales are handled by students.
You can learn more about the farm and programming here.
16. Goshen College
The Merry Lea Sustainable Farm at Goshen College provides students with an understanding of sustainable agriculture. The farm is almost ten acres with several fields located near woodlands, meadows or wetlands. The farm produces vegetables, herbs, tree fruits, berries, tree nuts, shiitake mushrooms, poultry, and pigs. Poultry provides both meat and eggs while the pigs are an addition as of 2016. In addition to college programs, the campus farm offers kindergarten through 12th grade programs and an Agroecology Summer Intensive. Produce raised on the farm is marketed at farmer’s markets, restaurants, and the Goshen College food service department. Food donations are also made to food pantries in the area. This provides students with many opportunities to connect with the local community and develop business skills related to the agricultural industry.
You can learn more about the farm and programming here.
15. Green Mountain College
Green Mountain College’s Cerridwen Farm is a student-motivated campus farm. It integrates hands-on learning with a liberal arts education. It is a small-scale diversified vegetable and animal farm with a historic barn as well as farm buildings surrounded by vegetable fields and pastures. The farm is operated entirely by students under faculty guidance and the leadership of a farm manager. The farm is designed as a way for students to practice, apply, and explore classroom learning. All farm crew members are included in the decision-making process found on any farm to allow for better goal achievement and transparency. The college farm is involved in the Sustainable Food Systems undergraduate major and the Master’s in Sustainable Food Systems programs. They also collaborate with the college on the Farm and Food Project. This is a summer program. There are many one-credit farm intensive courses. Any student, regardless of major, is welcome to volunteer on the farm. Vegetables grown on the farm are provided to the campus dining hall. The school also operates a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program. The farm produces raw milk, eggs, pork, and beef using an animal husbandry system.
You can learn more about the farm and programming here.
14. University of Vermont
The Center for Sustainable Agriculture is designed to advance sustainable systems in Vermont and throughout the world. The college farm focuses on partnerships that promote innovative research and learning that will benefit communities worldwide. The Morgan Horse Farm is home to brood mares, prospects with performance promise and yearlings, providing hands-on experience to students through an apprenticeship program. Students are involved in training, driving, and riding giving them an all-around education in equine studies. There is also a Horticulture Research Education Center that is home to shrubs, trees, perennials, and fruit trees. Agricultural research and classes are conducted at the center. It is also open to gardening groups and professional plant operations. The farm focuses on resilient farming and protecting the environment by researching the effect of farming on climate change. There is a pasture program that provides students with an understanding of grazing animals. The farm also sponsors a local food program including research into methods for providing food to low-income families. Students are given ample opportunity to connect with members of the community This adds to their studies and gives them a network to guide them throughout their career.
You can learn more about the farm and programming here.
13. Oberlin College
The George Jones Memorial Farm and Nature Preserve at Oberlin College allows students and the community to come together to create a food system for Northeast Ohio and the surrounding area. The farm is leased to the New Agrarian Center, a non-profit organization. It operates the farm and a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program. A group of Oberlin students, faculty, alumni, and community members operate both the farm and the CSA, known as City Fresh. The farm contains many native plants. There is a focus on restoration agriculture. Many of the techniques used are designed to build soil and create more nutritious crops. Food from campus for composting is exchanged for fresh produce for the dining halls. The Nature Preserve offers a wide range of ecosystems to explore and study. Interpretive hiking, snow shoeing, cross-country skiing, and horse trails travel through wetlands, forests, prairies, vernal pools, and ponds. The farm provides students with many opportunities to interact with the public, either through the CSA or visitors to the Nature Preserve. This allows them to improve their communication skills as well as build business and marketing skills necessary in the agricultural community.
You can learn more about the farm and programming here.
12. University of New Hampshire
There are several research and organic farms available at the University of New Hampshire. This makes UNH a great choice among colleges for farming. Students can learn in a real-world setting about dairy farming, cattle, horticulture, agronomy and greenhouse growing. Some of the farms date back as far as 1887 when the college was granted a land-grant as part of the Morrill Act after the Civil War. Kingman Farm and some of the other locations are open for use by the community for hiking, mountain biking, and other recreation, giving students exposure to the community. In 2003, the university established the Farm-to-School Program, introducing local apples and cider to Kindergarten to 12th Grade students. This developed into the “Get Smart Eat Local 10 District Project,” a collaboration between school districts and wholesale farms in the region designed to introduce new local foods to school children. There is an Organic Dairy Farm, crops, forage production, and pastures. The college farm is operated as an integrated agro-ecosystem.
You can learn more about the farm and programming here.
11. California State University – Chico
The University Farm at Cal State Chico knows that agriculture should not be learned only from textbooks. The farm is where students get their hands dirty putting into practice what they learn in the classroom. Classes in agriculture are supported through real-world scenarios presented on the farm, much like a chemistry lab promotes textbook learning in a chemistry class. Farmers and ranchers also benefit from the farm as the research conducted there often provides them with new, innovative ways to improve their agricultural endeavors. Community members can purchase meat and produce from the University Farm, and many schools offer student field trips to the farm to promote agriculture among young children. In some cases, it is a child’s first exposure to farm animals. Up to 40 students work part-time to keep the farm running under the guidance of a staff technician, a lead student manager, and other student employees. There is also a weather station that provides critical data in the area. Students are exposed consistently to members of the community, helping them build communication skills while also letting them create a network that will be beneficial throughout their career.
You can learn more about the farm and programming here.
10. Berea College
The College Farm at Berea is one of the oldest continuously operating and most diversified educational farms in the country. The farm consists of pastures, croplands, gardens and ponds providing a hands-on educational laboratory. It is a working model of sustainable agriculture. Beef, cattle, hogs, chickens, eggs, goats, fish, honey bees, grins, vegetables, fruits, and herbs are all produced on the farm. Many are sold locally, including to the school’s dining halls as well as the public through the campus store and participation at local farmer’s markets. These options provide students with experience in the business side of agriculture which is just as extremely critical to a farm’s success. The farm compliments and reinforces what is taught in the classroom. Students play a critical role in all aspects of the farm including:
- development
- management
- production
- maintenance
- marketing
- financial planning
This provides them with a hands-on understanding of how farms operate.
You can learn more about the farm and programming here.
9. Yale University
The Yale Farm began in 2003 when a group of student interns began to turn a forgotten corner of the Farnam Memorial Gardens into agricultural space. Today, the farm, located at 345 Edwards Street, only a 15-minute walk from Old Campus, is a productive academic farm that produces vegetables, fruits, herbs and flowers. It is also home to honey bees and free-range laying hens. The farm employs growing practices and crop rotation that are common in the region and throughout the nation. It is designed to be a working model of agriculture that students have an active role in creating. Several disciplines, including Environmental Studies, Mechanical Engineering, Anthropology as well as Women’s, Gender and Sexuality, use the farm during coursework. There are weekly volunteer work days and, on Fridays in the spring, pizza is provided from the farm’s hearth oven. The Seed to Salad Program, which was created by Yale students, brings classes from local public schools to the farm for lessons on ecology, science and food production. The farm is a social hub on the campus as students gather around the oven in late August to share a pizza before leaving on the Harvest Pre-Orientation Trip. Harvesting occurs on a weekly basis around the year and produce is sold at a local farmer’s market. Farm produce is also used for events at Yale while the remainder is donated to local food banks.
You can learn more about the farm and its programming here.
8. Michigan State University
Michigan State University offers a teaching and production organic farm. Students carry out all production on the farm consisting of members of the Organic Farmer Training Program and volunteers from other disciplines. Produce is available 48 weeks out of the year through a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program. There are also stands on the campus seven months of the year and in dining halls. The farm grows vegetables, livestock, flowers, fruits and herbs. There is a solar-powered greenhouse and hosts a Hoophouse Gala Fundraiser to raise scholarships funds for future organic farmers. The public is invited to visit the farm and are able to watch milking operations at the Dairy Center. This provides students with exposure to the business side of agriculture as well as offering them networking opportunities with community members.
You can learn more about the farm and their programming here.
7. Butte College
A community college near Chico, California, Butte College has a farm that includes an organic fruit orchard and vineyard. The school has a history of sustainable agriculture and has offered training on the subject for many years. Sections of the farm were certified organic as far back as 1990. It was the first college farm to establish an organic dairy west of the Mississippi. The farm also produces hay, oat wheat and alfalfa. They produce vegetables such as squash, pumpkins, cucumbers, eggplant and more. There is an orchard providing apples and peaches. The vineyard produces three different red wine grapes. Because the public is welcome on the farm, students are provided an opportunity to develop communication skills in a business setting. Also, students are able to develop an understanding of the business aspects of operating farms as well as conduct research into better agricultural procedures.
You can learn more about the farm and their programming here.
6. Evergreen State College
The Organic Farm at Evergreen State College connects to the main campus via trails that travel through the campus forest and is a working farm that serves as a learning laboratory while also producing produce and livestock. There is a farmhouse, built by students, greenhouses, fields, orchards and a composting facility. It is certified organic by the USDA and is Salmon Safe. Students work as interns at the farm throughout the growing season and learn various growing methods in a real-world scenario. Students learn how to plan, plant, maintain and harvest a broad range of crops. There are Community Gardens that provides gardening space to the community, providing students with the opportunity to give back to the community around them. Demeter’s Gardens area demonstration site that promotes permaculture and perennial polyculture systems. There is also a medicinal garden with herbaceous and woody plants with known healing properties. The garden also contains common herbs such as rosemary, sage and thyme. In addition to crops, chickens and sheep are raised with the chickens providing eggs that the farm sells or donates to food banks.
You can learn more about the farm and programming here.
5. University of California Davis
The University of California Davis Student Farm is committed to creating opportunities for students to understand sustainable food systems. Students learn from field-based educators, peers and from the community. Through a study of the soil, crops, climate and community, they develop the skills necessary to make a difference in the agricultural industry. The college farm has included a market garden that provides practical experience in organic production and an ecological garden for more than 30 years. Students are able to volunteer for farm work or intern for credit. Full-time employment opportunities are also available, and students have used the land for independent projects. Produce is used in the dining halls and is sold at farmer’s markets. There is also a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program, known as Student Harvest, that allows community members to purchase produce from the university. Programs center around sustainable agriculture, in-field learning and encouraging initiative among students. Courses offered at the farm include Sustainable Agriculture, Organic Crop Production and Alternatives in Agriculture.
You can learn more about the farm and their programming here.
4. Hampshire College
In addition to learning and research, the Hampshire College Farm and the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program provides the campus and the community with local produce and meat. Students can explore animal behavior, green design, and agriculture through programs at the farm. It is also a location where students investigate intellectual, political and scientific issues that involve food production. Hampshire College is unique in that students focus on portfolios rather than distribution requirements and narrative evaluations replace grades. The farming program was created in the 1970s and provides the college with almost 100 percent of their food. It is a thriving educational center, not only for agricultural students, but for the community and school groups. The focus is to teach farming for the future. There are several internship and work-study opportunities. Community members are invited to volunteer as well, exposing students to members of the community who could be very beneficial for their future career.
You can learn more about the farm and their programming here.
3. Deep Springs College
Deep Springs College is one of the best agriculture colleges. It operates a cattle ranch and alfalfa farm, selling both cattle and hay for profit. However, the main purpose of the farm is for research and education. The cattle range throughout the valley and students perform the work to keep the ranch functional. They herd cattle, shoe horses and deliver calves. Students receive training in basic horsemanship as horses are kept for ranch work and recreational opportunities. Students also irrigate, harvest and replant alfalfa. They are also responsible, along with the farm manager, with operating and repairing equipment. Pigs, broiler chickens, and laying hens are raised to provide food for the college. There is a dairy barn as well that provides milk for the school as well as the local community. Every seven weeks, students are given new chores that may range from washing dishes to delivering cows. Students must commit to a 20-hour work week and must submit a list of preferred assignments for the next term. There are fruit orchards, a greenhouse and compost piles that must be maintained as well. The school is extremely small, enabling it to provide full scholarships valued at over $50,000 per year for two years. Most students transfer to prestigious schools after two years.
You can learn more about the farm and programming here.
2. College of the Ozarks
The Farm and Works Stations at the College of the Ozarks include beef, dairy, a feed mill, horticulture lab, orchard, garden and agronomy workstation. Student labor is used to operate the farms and, each year, a workshop is put on the for the Future Farmers of America with more than 2,000 members in attendance. Cattle are dispersed throughout seven locations, providing students with the knowledge and experience of a working cattle operation. Students develop skills in animal health, nutrition, breeding and merchandising. An auction is held at the Sale Barn in odd years and students are responsible for all the aspects, including creating the sale catalog and advertising. A Farmer’s Market is held in the summer and is also located in the Sale Barn. Milk, meats, bedding plants, fruits and vegetables are available along with artisan crafts including fruitcake and stained glass. There is a Feed Mill whose primary functions are making and delivering high-quality feed for the livestock on the farm. There is also a Dairy and Hog Farm. The College of the Ozarks Farmers Market and Cattle Auction provide students with insight into the business of running a farm and help them develop networking in the community.
You can learn more about the farm and their programming here.
1. Warren Wilson College
The Warren Wilson College farm is a resource for students that allows them to meet the triad expected at the college – Work, Community Engagement and Academics. Students are responsible for running a livestock and mixed-crop operation as a working farm. There is a focus on sustainable farming practices. Students are required to have a strong work ethic. The farm was founded in 1894 when the Asheville Farm School was established. It has a reputation for “farm-to-table” quality. All beef served in the dining halls are raised on the farm as is the produce. Pesticides and herbicides are not used on the farm. In order to graduate, the Triad must be completed and the college is one of only seven work colleges in the United States. At Warren Wilson, daily operations of the school are completed by students. In addition to cattle, hogs are also raised and used in the dining halls. All produce and livestock are also sold to the local community, providing students with networking opportunities and experience in the business aspects of a working farm. Medicinal herbs are grown and medicine created as part of the academic and research process. There are honey bees and an heirloom apple orchard. The farm is grass-based and strives for sustainable agriculture in order to provide healthier nutrition for students and the community.
You can learn more about the farm and their programming here.
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