The UW Farm: Working towards resilient communities, growth, and food security By Annika Hauer
An article from this week highlighted the small student-run farm just ten minutes off campus that focuses on soil health and conservation while also growing seasonal crops. The main thing I found intriguing about this farm is its opportunities to practice regenerative agriculture and organic farming techniques. The College of the Environment first formed this agricultural area to put their skills into practice back in 2005 for faculty, students, alumni, and community volunteers. The farm is located on the lands of Coast Salish peoples, as is the rest of the campus. Siffre Tooth, an AmeriCorps volunteer and the food security lead for the farm was interviewed for this feature to discuss the engagement opportunities the farm provides while maintaining the well-being of the soil quality and the people who utilize it, as they go hand-in-hand.
In addition to testing regenerative agriculture, the farm implements a vermicomposting plot, which means the worms in the soil eat the waste while providing nutrients to the soil. Farm operators also employ cover cropping, a legume whose roots capture atmospheric nitrogen and circulate it through nitrogen fixation, creating more nutrients.
In this particular article, I would have liked to hear from one of the other students running the farm or participating in its research for further perspectives and credibility. While Tooth was a great contact, they mainly focused on leading volunteer groups and coordinating volunteer work and academic engagements, without discussing much about the actual farm in their quotes.
