Support the Farm
The CWRU University Farm has been a part of our university since 1937, when Andrew Squire donated his farm property to the Flora Stone Mather College for Women of Western Reserve University. This magnificent 389-acre property with unique natural and historical features is site to numerous undergraduate and graduates courses in the areas of ecology, geology, civil engineering and arts. I would like to share some of our exciting programs and activities that took place at the farm during 2008, and provide you an opportunity to support the farm.
In 2008, there was a forty percent increase in the number of courses and research programs offered at the farm. Fourteen undergraduate and graduate courses and seven research programs are using the indoor and outdoor facilities. This substantial increase in academic programs is in part credited to the update of the facilities and transportation fund created in 2007 by Cyrus Taylor, Dean of the College of Arts and Science. The fund provides transportation to all faculty and students taking credit-hour courses at the farm.
To make our green campus even greener, various feasibilities studies are on the way to exploring renewable energy sources to heat the farm buildings. These projects are joint studies of the University Farm and the CWRU Great Lakes Institute of Energy Innovation. The projects will also become research and teaching opportunities for our students to learn new technologies, as well as demonstration sites for school teachers and the community interested in this renewable energy source.
Conservation initiatives continue to be an important component of the facilities management. They are aimed to enhance the farm wild life. The bluebird trail tripled its bluebird production from 2007 to 2008. Ten more houses were added to the trail for a total of 50 houses. The prairie restoration continues to make successful progress with over eighteen wild native flowers species observed this summer. Several initiatives are aimed to reduce the energy consumption in the facilities. Among these initiatives include a substantial reduction of seasonal mowing to reduce the fossil fuel consumption and to increase the wild life habitat and ground nesting areas.
Thanks to the generosity of our alumni and Farm friends the facilities underwent significant updates to accommodate our increasing academic programs. In spring, the Farm received two very generous gifts of $100,000 and $50,000 from the Flora Stone Mather Alumnae Association. These gifts were announced during the FSMAA 114th Annual Meeting and Brunch that took place on June 7, 2008, on the Farm grounds. The gift for $100,000 helped to renovate and name the major teaching laboratory located in the Main Barn building. The lab is now named MATHER TEACHING LAB at Squire Valleevue Farm. This naming opportunity will pay tribute to the memory of Flora Stone and honor the history of Mather College and its alumnae. The Mather Teaching Lab will be hosting over one thousand students annually taking ecology, entomology, and geology courses. The second gift will help to establish an endowment to support the Flora Stone Mather Summer Camp at the Farm to benefit organizations such as Goodrich-Gannet Neighborhood Center summer program.
Another very important facilities upgrade took place in early summer, with the installation of a new high speed wireless network at our teaching and research facilities including the Main Barn, Pink Pig, Debra Ann November Greenhouse and Sheep Barn. This is the most important technology update of the teaching research and retreat facilities in the last 10 years. Part of the funding for this update was provided by the Farm Annual fund.
Programs offered to members of the Cleveland area community continue to expand. Over 150 visitors participated in the Summer in the Country program with eleven classes offered, including a new class on gardening basics. The class used the Debra Ann November Greenhouse to grow garden plants and learn planting techniques.
Today more than ever, the University Farm is an important component of our mission as a university. It is our outdoor classroom and research laboratory. Many of these new programs were pursued and happened thanks to your generosity in previous years. The University Farm Annual Fund has allowed us to make improvements to outdoor areas, sponsor community programs and explore conservation initiatives.
The University Farm is a magnificent asset to the University and surrounding areas, and its success is due, in large measure, to the generosity of people just like you. I hope you will consider making a gift to the University Farm Annual Fund this year. Your contribution will allow us to further enhance this valuable resource in Northeast Ohio.
Thank you in advance for your support of the University Farm at Case Western Reserve University.
With best wishes,
Ana Locci, Ph.D.
Farm Director, Adjunct Assistant Professor
Donate online
Printable contribution form