University Farm Announcements

Letter From Our Director: Spring Happenings

Thu, 03 May 2012 14:02:00 GMT

Dear Farm Friends and Neighbors, We had a very busy month of April at the Farm with undergraduate classes, school visits, and the start of the on-site research projects season. On the research front, Dr. Mike Benard and his research assistant, Matt Kulber, are getting their field equipment ready for their research on how frogs and salamander adapt to changes in the environment. Dr. Benard also organized our first Farm Herp Bioblitz on Saturday, April 28. Accompanied by Matt and 11 students, they walked the Farm creeks and trails for three hours identifying and counting species of frogs and salamander and learning about their habitats. It was a great activity to celebrate Earth Day. Dr. Dave Burke, from the Holden Arboretum, visited his experimental plots at Farm to continue his study on phosphorus limitation and soil microbial community composition in hardwood forests. Dr. Jean Burn and her postdoc, Dr. Angela Brandt, are back in their lab getting ready for their greenhouse and field experiments on plant competition.

We had a record number of student and staff volunteers helping us in April. Over 120 volunteers donated more than 500 hours to help with planting, harvesting, fence installation, landscape and buildings’ maintenance. Their time and efforts are greatly appreciated. The Community Gardens are now open for planting. We were able to open the site a month earlier thanks to great weather and the many volunteers who helped on that project. All twenty one plots are being used this year. Our summer student help will be arriving at the Farm the second week of May. We expect to have over 12 students working on research projects, The Farm Food Program, and grounds keeping. We are excited to have them working with us for the next 10 weeks.

Finally, I would like to let you know that your input on our e-newsletter is very important to us. We hope the information contained in these monthly issues will encourage you to get more involved with our programs and make the Farm part of your Case Western Reserve University learning and community service experiences. Sincerely, Ana B. Locci, PhD University Farm Director, Adjunct Assistant Professor, Biology

Farm Horticultural News: Spring Progress Report

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 16:49:00 GMT

May looks to begin as a normal spring month; warm days and cool nights. We will take full advantage of this and continue to move ahead with rounds of tilling, mounding and planting cool-season crops such as onions, kale, chard, lettuce, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts. This past week we were able to deliver our first crops of mint, broccoli and kale to Tomlinson Hall.

Progress continues on our mushroom growing facility. The spawning and production rooms are complete and now all that is left is to do some electric work and install proper ventilation. I hope to be underway with mushroom production this summer. Our beehives are also thriving. Our colony at Valley Ridge Farm was so robust, it had to be divided. We moved it to our Squire Valleevue Farm hive to replace the colony that we lost last year to the American Foulbrood disease. I had originally anticipated the Farm’s first honey collection to be later this summer or early fall, but it looks like honey could be appearing in the dining halls much sooner than that. Look for that and our other products every Wednesday on the Quad between 11:30 and 1:30 as we make our inaugural foray into the farmer’s market venue. We will be one of the tables set up during the barbeques that Bon Appetit will be hosting starting on June 6th and ending on August 1st. For more information, please visit: http://www.case.edu/academics/summer/Barbecues.html.

I would be remiss if I did not take the opportunity to sincerely thank all of the scores of volunteers who came out to the Farm over the past several weeks to help us with a mountain of tasks. There are too many individuals to name here, but some of the groups that helped us recently include: volunteers form the Garden @ Case, Zeta Psi, Beta Theta Pi, Kappa Alpha Theta, Sigma Phi Epsilon, volunteers from CCEL’s Saturday of Service and even a group of hard-workers from Ursuline College. Without their help and the continued help of volunteers from the University Community, the Farm Food Program would not be as successful as it has been thus far. I am grateful for all of their service and dedication to University Farm.

Meet Our Farm Community: The Newest Staff Member, Shane Brown

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 09:46:00 GMT

We are excited to introduce the newest member of our staff, drum roll, please . . . Shane Brown. We asked Shane to tell us a bit about himself, his new position, his future here, and his very "lofty" goals for the Farm.

What will your primary role here at the Farm? "Basic Maintenance / Utility Worker, my goal is to simply maintain the quality of the Farm."
What is your favorite thing about working here? (Shane has been working at the Farm on a part-time/temporary basis since August of 2011.) "I enjoy being able to use the skills I have in practical ways. I love working outdoors and solving problems."
What goals have you seen the Farm accomplish in the short time that you have already been here? "The former chicken barn was recently converted into our new wood shop. Updates like this make it easier for us to ensure a safe working environment for the staff as well as student volunteers and to maintain the safety and integrity of the tools in use."
How do you think the Farm could be better integrated to the University community? "I think the best way to integrate the Farm into the university community is by doing what we're doing, just more of it! We should continue to bring more students out to the farm for classes and provide even more volunteer opportunities to learn using a "hands on" approach so that they can see what it really takes to run a farm like this. The Farm Food Program is already creating a lot of opportunities like this."
Goals you would like to see CWRU Farm accomplish? "Creating world peace and ending world hunger, but those goals might be a little big for a 400 acre research farm in Hunting Valley, Ohio, so I would just like to continue our focus on educating and enriching the CWRU community."

Profile: Brown was raised in Mentor, OH. He lived in Aspen, CO for a short time where he worked as a chef and perfected his downhill skiing abilities. When not at the Farm, Shane enjoys hunting, fishing, backpacking, and the outdoors in general. He is very involved in his church, Life Brand Cowboy Church. He runs the youth group and works on the ranch. He enjoys all aspects of farm work and has a deep love for animals. Shane's formal education is in firefighting.

5 Ways You Can Help The Farm Win An Orchard

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 09:40:00 GMT

As we announced in our last e-Newsletter, the Farm is in the running to win an orchard provided by Edy's Fruit Bars' Communities Take Root Program. Here are five important ways that you can help bring fresh fruit to the CWRU community and dining halls:

Vote! at www.communitiestakeroot.com
Share the link to vote on Facebook.
Share the link to vote on Twitter.
Post fliers in your community / department / office / residence hall / dining hall.
Forward this newsletter on to friends and family.

Most important though is to talk about it, get as excited about it as we are, and make a difference in your CWRU community.

A Healthy Case Community: University Farm and 121 Fitness

Fri, 06 Apr 2012 16:01:00 GMT

Article written by Rachel Paul, Bachelor of Science 2011, Master of Science 2013 Department of Nutrition, Case Western Reserve University Throughout both my undergraduate and graduate careers studying nutrition at CWRU the Case Farm and 121 Fitness have been consistent benefits. Both groups have significantly increased the health and wellness focus on campus in the past few short years. I had the pleasure of getting to know Chris Bond, the Farm’s horticulturalist, as a marketing intern with Bon Appétit Management Company, another integral part of the dynamic and multi-faceted health partnership at Case. While Chris manages the business of produce production, he facilitates local and sustainable produce availability that many people undervalue. By providing the dining facilities with fresh herbs, fruits and vegetables 12 months of the year, he helps Case join the national trend of increasing access to local food. Buying locally strengthens regional economies, supports family farms, provides delicious fresh foods for consumers, preserves the local landscape, and fosters a sense of community (http://www.foodroutes.org/). Additionally, the Farm offers volunteer, paid, research, and educational opportunities. This truly unique resource rivals those available at other institutions, and I hope more students take advantage it.

I became a member of 121 Fitness the January of my senior year as an undergrad. What I have personally enjoyed most about 121 is the comradery among members and even with the staff. No matter if I attend a class I have no background in (like muscle strengthening), join the running club when I have not run since high school, or end up laughing with the desk manager about campus parking, I end up making a new friend every time. It is no surprise to anyone, I’m sure, that exercise and diet often go hand-in-hand. The benefits are vast from reducing risks for chronic disease to improving cognitive abilities.

Working with Bryn Mota, the Director of 121, and Chris Bond have truly been a privilege for both the campus community and myself. We have worked together throughout the past year on wellness initiatives at the student, faculty, and staff levels. Combining our expertise and resources has made events such as the Case’s first National Food Day, the Student Wellness Fair, and Faculty and Staff Wellness Sessions both possible and enjoyable! I am so lucky to have met both of these individuals who will go to great lengths to help the community lead healthier lives. To sign up for 121 Fitness' e-Newsletter click here.

Farm News: Community Gardens Open May 31

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 08:57:00 GMT

Registration for plots begins March 1.

CWRU Farm offers 20 garden plots, 30 x 20 feet, that are available annually to Case staff, faculty, students, and alum that do not have access to land for growing purposes. For over 25 years, gardeners have used these plots to produce their chosen crops including tomatoes, onions, corn, carrots, herbs, potatoes, zucchini, squash, and so much more. It is an excellent opportunity for the Case community and we are thrilled to be able to offer it.

The garden plots are located behind the Farm's green barn. Water, hoses, and space in the garden shed for tool storage are provided by the farm. New this year is drip irrigation made possible through the hard work of the Engineers Without Borders group.

To reserve a plot, please view the diagram under garden plots, then print and complete the University Farm Community Garden Registration Form . Please send with $40 plot fee to address listed on form.

The first CSA program at the Farm

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 15:41:00 GMT

The University Farm has launched its first CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) program this year. The limited numbers of spaces were quickly snatched up by CWRU’s faculty, staff, undergrads, grad students and alum.

The shares will be available for pickup on campus at Bon Appetit’s dining hall in Tomlinson on Wednesdays, or the Farm on Fridays. Shares are available at two price points, $40.00/wk and $20.00/wk. As with all CSA’s, there is no guarantee as to what each shareholder will get each week, only that they can be assured of its freshness and value. Products will be dispensed by weight and will be priced at or below farm market prices.

The CSA will run for 8 weeks commencing on June 27th, with the final pickup day being August 15th. Full payment for the 8 weeks is due before collecting the first week’s share. $340 is the cost for those who have obtained a $40/wk share and includes the cost of 3 re-usable bags which will be used in rotation for the duration of the CSA and will be yours to keep upon the final pickups. $180 is the cost for those who have obtained a $20/wk share and includes the cost of 3 re-usable bags which will be used in rotation for the duration of the CSA and will be yours to keep upon the final pickups.

Products will include fresh herbs and vegetables harvested that week from CRWU Farm’s greenhouse and production fields at both Squire Valleevue and Valley Ridge Farms. Contact Farm Horticulturist Chris Bond with any questions at cjb88@case.edu