2017 ASHS Annual Conference

Willow Lake Student Farm (WLSF) of Kansas State University was started in 2008 to provide education on sustainable food production and fresh produce to members of the university and Manhattan communities. WLSF started as the result of an undergraduate honors project with a clearly defined business plan that had short, mid- and long-term goals for the continuing sustainability of the farm. WLSF is meeting the short and mid-term goals, such as: hosting educational lectures and workshops, facilitating a student club to support the farm, establishing high tunnel and open-field production spaces, and serving as a location for research related to sustainable agriculture. However, challenges remain in reaching long-term goals, which would help insure the long-term sustainability of the farm. Student-run farms experience hurdles to long-term sustainability due to a variety of limitations. Some of our challenges are unique while others are not. WLSF has a frequent turnover of active participants that leads to significant fluctuation in management strategies and experience levels. Seasonal production is often hindered by available help, as many students do not stay in the area for the summer or the change in their schedules from one semester to the next prevent them from continuing their involvement. Low farm-generated revenue leads to a reliance on inconsistent external funding. WLSF is located off-campus so accessibility is difficult for many students lacking transportation to the farm. With the help of grants awarded from the student governing association’s Green Action Fund for use in 2016, we were able to address some of these challenges to long-term sustainability. Changes were made to infrastructure including: underground irrigation throughout the field, establishment of an orchard, and a redesign of the farm to plots that will better support crop rotations. Our volunteer work-force and knowledge base has expanded as relationships with several student organizations across campus have developed. Empowering student volunteers to lead projects has led to a sense of ownership and more regular involvement.  Though the long-term results of our recent strategies to mitigate these challenges to the longevity of Willow Lake Student Farm are still undetermined, participation and outreach have increased since addressing them.