A Grassroots Learning Lab

College of AgricultureAnd Life Sciences

Howdy Farm Beginnings

Founded in 2009 by Brady Grimes ’12

Student- led initiative that seeks to promote local food, facilitate organic research, and enable students to experience agriculture hands on

Link with Dining Services

Source of local, organic produce

5-acre farm located on west campus

Goal: promote sustainable agriculture

Why We Matter

Why We Matter

$146,000 from Students

2011 --- $50,000 grant to establish Student Farm

2012 --- $96,000 grant for Greenhouse & Education Facility*

Students make this possible

What is this Greenfund you speak of?....

• Greenfund.tamu.edu• Student run board• $300,000 per year of student dollars

Where Can YOU Find our Food?

University Club in Rudder Tower

Farmer’s Markets Bryan Houston

CSA – R Community supported agriculture

research Student shares are $200 for 12 weeks of

produce Faculty/Adult shares are $240 for 12 weeks

of produce Sign up at studentfarmblog.wordpress.com

High Impact LearningThe Howdy! Farm program facilitates:

Experiential Education classes

Internships

Undergraduate & Graduate Research

AgriLife Extension Research

Community Development

Volunteer opportunities

Food Bank Donations

Desiree Kohen’s Graduate Studies include Hydroponic and Aquaponic Research conducted in a greenhouse environment.

Internships + Undergraduate Research

Hort 485 – Research paper + Internship – 3 hour course credit

Hort 484 – Internship – 3 hour course credit

Community Development

Experiential Education Classroom

Integrated courses include:

Hort 315 - Vegetable Production Geog 303 AGCJ 380 – Workshop in Agricultural Communications and Journalism

Waste Recycling

The Howdy Farm has recycled 168,000 lbs of University Waste

Food Bank Donations

All produce that hasn’t been sold or is not picked up by a CSA-R customer is donated to Brazos Valley Food Bank.

Attraction of Students to Agriculture

First ExposureCourses from various colleges looking for

experiential educationAdvertise the college and departmentBrings students from diverse backgrounds and

interests; student groups

Research Organic certification Farm that is open to facilitate any project that fits within its

parameters Research all aspects of small farm production

Markets Post harvest Management Economic data Crop production

Continue graduate and undergraduate projects4 special problems courses this spring

Extension

Facility for training programs

Local and regional extension

On and off the Farm outreach to students

Use our relationships with local growers to help solve problems

Family

What we do is not possible without the support of our peers, our university and our local community. You are the family that fosters our success. Thank you!

Found on an increasing number of college and university campuses

Students get practical experience in sustainable agricultural production, marketing and managementFormal courses and student led experimentationfreedom to exercise self-directed learning, critically

reflective thinking, and innovation.

A class room for practical experiential education, organic research, and small farms extension

The Student Farm

The Competition

Michigan State University 10-acre organic farm Students manage operations Year-round for CSA distribution. Organic Farmer 9-month Training

Program Sustainable Ag and Food Systems

Concentrations

Washington State University Organic Agriculture Systems Major Hands-on learning University’s organically-certified farm Internships are possible for students to

work directly with farmers and help them manage their farms.

University of Kentucky Major in sustainable agriculture College of Agriculture certified-organic

CSA farm where students work the day-to-day management

Student credits by completing apprenticeships in sustainable agriculture where they assist farmers on organic farms with daily activities.

International Exchange Programs

Colorado State University Interdisciplinary program Internship experience Organic Ag Degree concentration Student-run organic garden

.

Howdy! Farm Sustainability Center

Grant Description• The Howdy! Farm envisions an educational organic

agriculture facility utilizing solar and rainwater technologies to be constructed on west campus near the Howdy Farm’s organic production site.

• This structure would ensure year-round greenhouse production capability and adequate learning space.

• The facility will educate TAMU students about sustainable greenhouse production by hosting classes and using the space for research, class projects, and independent graduate and undergraduate research on sustainable crop production.

Vision 2020Teaching FarmHigh-impact learning lab for College of

Agricultural & Life SciencesCenter for Minor in SustainabilityHome for students to reconnect with foodUndergraduate Internships/ResearchGraduate ResearchExtension ResearchCommunity Development & Master Gardener’s

Education

Minor in Sustainability ENTO 401 – Principles of Insect Pest Management HORT 325 - Vegetable Crop Production SCSC 301 - Soil Science HORT 301 - Garden Science AGSM 335 – Water and Soil Management RPTS 372 - Youth Development Practice POSC 412 - Poultry Feed Formulation RENR 205 - Fundamentals of Ecology AGEC 314. Marketing Agricultural and Food Products. ALED 125 - Leadership Learning Community NUTR 211 - Scientific Principles of Foods

Study Abroad Potential

Semester Abroad between Student farms across the nation or internationally

Organizational Structure

Future Location