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Agriculture Program at Evergreen Connects Students with Local Community

By Chriset Palenshus

The Evergreen State College's Ecological Agriculture program is preparing students to sustain local agriculture and revitalize the dwindling number of farmers. Students in this program are partnering with both large conventional farms and smaller organic farms in both crop and livestock production. Both the students and the farmers learn together as they are challenged with important questions about social and ecological sustainability. Example topics are biofuels, food safety and the integration of livestock and vegetable production, CAFOs, farm subsidies, genetically modified organisms, environmental effects of agrochemicals, and human health concerns.

This partnership creates a link between Evergreen and the larger community. "The partnerships help to change conventional farmers' views of Evergreen students," said Ariel Dobson who is a student working with both the Pigmans' and Pat Labine's farms.

With a prerequisite of botany, biology and chemistry, these students are not in this class for some easy credits. Students acknowledge that there is a stereotype of radical ideas at Evergreen or the idea that students are not serous about their studies. This perception of Evergreen was found at some of the larger and more conventional farms they visited. Some sites were not aware that Evergreen had an Agriculture program.

Students are learning about the importance of cultural sensitivity and trust in addition to the agricultural curriculum. Many of the smaller organic farms are run by Evergreen graduates, building on a previous relationship to the faculty and the institution. GRuB, for example was started and is directed by Evergreen alumni, Blue Peetz and Kim Gaffi. Students were surprised at the openness of the non-profit organization. "Some economic farms will not share some information," said one student.

Steve Scheuerell, who has a background in organic agriculture, and Mike Paros, who practices veterinary medicine, are teaming to teach this interdisciplinary program. Students will do in-depth soil sampling at some farms. Some farms are looking for help with nutrient identification, analysis of energy inputs and outputs, and crop rotation. Students will complete their year-long assessment of local farms and perform applied or theoretical research on agricultural and food-system problems.

The Center for Community Based Learning and Action is looking forward to showcasing the student's projects. There is also a possibility of creating longer term partnerships as students look for internships and employment.

As a result of this academic program, some students are beginning to pay more attention to the food they purchase. As they build relationships with these producers they understand why local and organic food sometimes costs a bit more, but many are willing to pay the price. Many students in the program have been inspired to grown their own food, shop at area farmers markets, and shop at the Olympia Food Co-op to support the community, and eat delicious, healthy, guilt-free food.

Involvement in the local foods movement also helps students connect with other community members beyond farmers. Student Erik Hagan is coordinating the "Evergleaners," a student group that supports the broader Gleaners Coalition to harvest surplus food and provide it to the Food Bank to provide fresh and nutritious produce to low-income people in our community.

Chriset Palenshus is the Special Projects Coordinator for the Center for Community Based Learning and Action at The Evergreen State College.


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Updated 2015/01/07 21:14:22