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!