Progress 07/01/03 to 06/30/05
Outputs
The College has implemented curricula that have enabled students to select and complete a management/production project under faculty supervision. Students have selected to establish a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) project. They have developed an enterprise plan and have completed two seasons. The first season they had 32 shareholders and the second there were 38 shareholders. Production and cultural records are being used. Five acres of alfalfa hay have been planted to establish a long-term (3-5 year) cover crop with a marketable product.
PRODUCTS: The College has developed an Agricultural Enterprise Project course. This course involves a one-unit lecture with 3 semesters of lab. Two publications were developed this year. They are listed in the publication list. Five acres of alfalfa have been established. Students have developed an active CSA with 38 shareholders. A perrinnal flower crop was planted in 2005. The fields have been deer fenced. Boer meat goats are now part of the student agriculture project. The herd consists of 20 does and one buck.
OUTCOMES: College of the Redwoods gains in course project infrastructure: Along with the student gains described below, another measure of success of the project has been shown in building course enrollment. Agriculture commodity selections that are more interesting and marketable, increased employment, and the students rising sense of accomplishment have combined to advertise the project. In addition, student selection of commodities has improved. The College has gained in experience in this project, market gross returns have improved from $15,482.78 in 2004 to $17987.31 in 2005., thus making the farm more self-sufficient and able to continue to offer greater choices. Tangible infrastructure acquired with grant funds, such as establishment of perennial crops, irrigation supplies, and deer fence replacement, will have long term impacts for the project and direct benefits for students.
DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES: Project results have been shared by Co-PDs at the 2004 Agriculture Institute in California. Project results have also been shared with the California Sustainable Agriculture Educators work group.
FUTURE INITIATIVES: College of the Redwoods has gained in course project infrastructure: Along with the student gains described below, another measure of success of the project has been shown in building course enrollment. Agriculture commodity selections that are more interesting and marketable, increased employment, and the students rising sense of accomplishment have combined to advertise the project. In addition, as student selection of commodities improves and the College gains in experience in this project, market profits are expected to continue to increase, thus making the farm more self-sufficient and able to continue to offer greater choices. Tangible infrastructure acquired with grant funds, such as establishment of perennial crops (bolth alfalfa and flowers), irrigation supplies, and deer fence replacement, will have long term impacts for the project and direct benefits for students.
Impacts
Project results have been shared by Co-PDs at the 2004 Agriculture Institute in California. Project results have also been shared with the California Sustainable Agriculture Educators work group. College of the Redwoods gains in course project infrastructure: Along with the student gains described below, another measure of success of the project has been shown in building course enrollment. Agriculture commodity selections that are more interesting and marketable, increased employment, and the students rising sense of accomplishment have combined to advertise the project. In addition, student selection of commodities has improved. The College has gained in experience in this project, market gross returns have improved from $15,482.78 in 2004 to $17987.31 in 2005., thus making the farm more self-sufficient and able to continue to offer greater choices. Tangible infrastructure acquired with grant funds, such as establishment of perennial crops, irrigation supplies, and
deer fence replacement, will have long term impacts for the project and direct benefits for students. Enrollment for Winter 2006 in the enterprize project is expected to be around 16. This is double the previous years interest.
Publications
- Rulofson et al. 2003. "Organic and Sustainable Agricultural Opportunities".
- Wildharbor et al. 2004. "College of the Redwoods Sustainable Organic Farm CSA".
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Progress 10/01/03 to 09/30/04
Outputs
The College has implemented curricula that have enabled students to select and complete a management/production project under faculty supervision. Students have selected to establish a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) project. They have developed an enterprise plan and are in the process of harvesting and delivering their product to 32 shareholders. Production and cultural records are being used. Five acres of alfalfa hay have been planted to establish a long-term (3-5 year) cover crop with a marketable product.
PRODUCTS: The College has developed an Agricultural Enterprise Project course. This course involves a one-unit lecture with 3 semesters of lab. Two publications were developed this year. They are listed in the publication list. Five acres of alfalfa have been established. Students have developed an active CSA with 32 shareholders.
OUTCOMES: College of the Redwoods gains in course project infrastructure: Along with the student gains described below, another measure of success of the project will be shown in building course enrollment. Agriculture commodity selections that are more interesting and marketable, increased employment, and the students' rising sense of accomplishment will combine to advertise the project. In addition, as student selection of commodities improves and the College gains in experience in this project, market profits are expected to increase, thus making the farm more self-sufficient and able to continue to offer greater choices. Tangible infrastructure acquired with grant funds, such as establishment of perennial crops, irrigation supplies, and deer fence replacement, will have long term impacts for the project and direct benefits for students.
DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES: Project results have been shared by Co-PDs at the 2004 Agriculture Institute in California. Project results have also been shared with the California Sustainable Agriculture Educators work group.
FUTURE INITIATIVES: College of the Redwoods gains in course project infrastructure: Along with the student gains described below, another measure of success of the project will be shown in building course enrollment. Agriculture commodity selections that are more interesting and marketable, increased employment, and the students' rising sense of accomplishment will combine to advertise the project. In addition, as student selection of commodities improves and the College gains in experience in this project, market profits are expected to increase, thus making the farm more self-sufficient and able to continue to offer greater choices. Tangible infrastructure acquired with grant funds, such as establishment of perennial crops, irrigation supplies, and deer fence replacement, will have long term impacts for the project and direct benefits for students.
Impacts
Project results have been shared by Co-PDs at the 2004 Agriculture Institute in California. Project results have also been shared with the California Sustainable Agriculture Educators work group.
Publications
- 2003. Two flyers have been developed. The first is designed to highlight the educational opportunities at the College Farm. The title of this publication is "Organic and Sustainable Agricultural Opportunities".
- 2004. The students developed a flyer to help market their CSA. It is titled "College of the Redwoods Sustainable Organic Farm CSA"
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