Student Organic Farm at the University of Idaho
Who are the Soil Stewards?
• University of Idaho Students Committed to Organic Farming & Sustainable Community Food Systems
• Soil Stewards is an ASUI recognized student organization whose members created and continue to run an organic farm within the UI Plant Science Research Farm
• Soil Stewards goals are to promote the preservation of natural resources and sustainability through community outreach, research, and experiential learning
Where is the Student Farm?
• Right now we farm about 1/4 of an acre at the Parker Research Farm, about 2 miles east of town on the Troy Highway.
• We grow our organic veggies alongside research projects in mustard and canola, direct seeded wheat, urban forestry and much more!
What does it take to Join?
• Membership dues are $10 yearly.• We have scheduled meetings and
work days out at the farm• Members are expected to put in their
share of work to take home a share of the harvest
Learning Opportunities on the Student Organic Farm
• The Soil Stewards Farm is first and foremost a teaching and learning farm
• Your imagination is the limit when it comes to designing your on farm education!
• Earn course credits, internship credits, start a graduate project or apply for work study!
• Formal Education opportunities could include:– Course Labs conducted at the Farm
(get your professors to take your class on a field trip out to the farm!)
– 1-6 Credits of On Farm Apprenticeship
– 1-3 Credits of Directed Study
Current Research Projects
• Soil Testing and Recommendations
• Completing Organic Certification Forms
• Surveying the Potential for Integration of Students and Faculty on the Farm
Current Graduate StudentResearch Projects
• Biofumigation: Biopesticides/Plant-Derived Allelochemicalsapplied to Organic Carrots and Strawberries
• Sustainable Vegetable Production for Direct to Consumer Markets:As Modeled on a Student Organic Farm
2006 Season Highlights
• We managed to sell 27 Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) shares, which we filled every week with an ever changing assortment of fresh, beautiful veggies!
2006 Season Highlights
• Our volunteers donated over 400 hours to the farm over the year.
• Our members got plenty to eat as well!
2006 Season Highlights
• We partnered with PCEI's Backyard Harvest, donating vegetable seedlings for their pantry garden, and 300 pounds of fresh produce to local food banks and other food distribution centers!
2006 Season Highlights
• We supplied our campus foodservice company, Sodexho, with produce, herbs and edible flowers.
• Some of our veggies ended up being served to the president of the University at special events!
Want More Information?
• Talk to a Soil Stewards Member• Come to a meeting• Visit our website:
http://stuorgs.uidaho.edu/~soilstewards• See you at the farm!