Willow Lake Student Farm 2013 Guidelines

Transcription

1 Willow Lake Student Farm 2013 Guidelines Overview: Our mission is to provide an educational model promoting the knowledge of sustainable agriculture, while also providing the campus-community with fresh, local produce. The Willow Lake student farm was founded in 2008 to provide a hands-on learning experience for KSU students and Manhattan community members who are considering a career as fruit, vegetable, or other specialty crop producers. Students also have an opportunity to use the farm during lab classes in fruit, vegetable, and other production classes. A unique aspect of Willow Lake is the opportunity to farm," that is to grow fruits, vegetables, mushroom, herbs, or other specialty crops with the intention to sell them for a profit. The intent is that the scale here is larger than a community garden plot, which may be obtained through the UFM in Manhattan for a small fee. ( Produce grown in a UFM plot may not be sold. The Willow Lake Student Farm is located on land managed by KSU Forestry and Horticulture, through a long-term lease from the US-Army Corp of Engineers, Tuttle Creek Reservoir. The land is located approximately 5 miles from campus, and includes infrastructure such as a building/shop (which includes an office area, storage area, and a restroom), a shallow well for irrigation purposes, and a wash station. A high tunnel (unheated greenhouse) was constructed on the land in A tractor with basic tillage equipment, lawnmowers, and basic hand tools are also available at the farm for shared use. Approximately 2 acres of land are currently used for fruit and vegetable production. The land has been managed using (non-certified) organic methods including crop rotations, compost amendments, and cover crops. About forty 5 x 100 beds are in place, with 5 wide alleys between beds to facilitate access with equipment, harvesting, and other operations. Several beds currently have bramble fruits (raspberry, blackberry, etc) and there are also a few fruit trees on the site. In order to maintain the integrity of the crop rotations, students may sign up to manage one or more crops for a growing season. Marketing: Previous managers and interns have established a good reputation of Willow Lake Student Farm as being a provider of high quality, organic produce to the Manhattan community. Sales outlets have included the Manhattan downtown Farmers Market, an on-line CSA, a campus market, and sales to People s Grocery, Little Apple Brewery, and campus food service. It is expected that students who sign up to manage a plot/intern at the student farm will supply these markets, and cooperate in taking responsibility for setting up and selling at these various venues. Profits will be returned to the students who grew the crops, and inventory sheets will be used to track sales through these various outlets. How to Apply: Students should have some prior growing experience and/or have taken Hort 560 (Veg Crops), Hort 520 (Fruit Crops), or the equivalent, but do not have to be Horticulture majors. Weekly meetings will be help with the farm manager and Rhonda Janke, faculty advisor to answer questions and discuss issues that come up throughout the growing season. However, this is not a training course per se, but is an opportunity for students to gain knowledge through success, through failure, but most of all through practical experience.

2 2013 Willow Lake Student Farm Application (submit hard copy to Rhonda Janke, mailbox 2021 Throckmorton, or to NAME(S) PHONE MAILING ADDRESS, KS ZIP I am a: KSU student former KSU Student community member (estimated date of graduation?) Major: Previous farming or gardening experience? Yes or No Please briefly describe previous experience: Have you taken Hort 560 (Veg crops), Hort 520 (Fruit crops) or similar course at another school? Would you like to receive course credit for this experience either as an internship or independent study class? Please describe and list your advisor: In a paragraph, please describe how this experience will fit into your future plans as a fruit/vegetable farmer or grower. Which crops are you most interested in growing or caring for? (list specific crops, or mention mushrooms, orchard, bees, landscaping etc.) How many plots (500 ft2) do you feel that you could manage at this time? (see attached map of available plots) Are you willing to collaborate with other students in marketing your crops, maintaining the student farm site, and other tasks? Please describe any previous experience in this area. SIGNATURE: I have read the Willow Lake Student Farm Rules and Guidelines and agree to abide by them. I agree that if I fail to abide by the rules, I forfeit my plot(s), deposit(s), and all remaining produce. As a voluntary participant, I recognize that no other individual or group is responsible in the event of injury to me or my family. Date: Student Signature: **************************************************************************************** (if accepted) Plots allocated: Fees due: Signed:

3 WILLOW LAKE STUDENT FARM RULES AND GUIDELINES All student farm interns and managers are responsible for knowing and abiding by these rules. Not following these rules and guideline may result in use privileges being revoked. 1. FEES: Students will pay a land use fee based on the size of the area they manage. These will be subsidized rates, but similar to those faced by growers in the real world. See fee rate sheets for the current growing season. Students will also be responsible for purchase of plants, seeds, and other expendable materials. Some items such as floating row cover, drip tape, and transplants will be available for use and/or purchase through the KSU Horticulture dept. 2. PLOT DEPOSIT: A deposit fee will be collected at the beginning of the growing season (see fee rate sheet). At the end of the season, students will receive 100% of their deposit fee if they are in good standing, have left their plot in good condition, and returned their keys (if issued). 3. PLOT SIGN UPS: Current students may begin to apply for plots in the fall before the next growing season up through the spring and summer of the current growing season until all plots are allocated. By signing up for a plot, student are taking responsibility for that particular piece of land, but also for the crop designated for that plot according to the crop rotation schedule. Questions and modifications may be negotiated with the Willow Lake Farm supervisor(s). [Rhonda Janke and Charles Barden]. Fees are due before plots are planted. 4. PLOT LIMITS: Students are encouraged to only sign up for the crops they feel they have time to properly manage. Labor sharing with other students is a good idea for students who would like to work with multiple crops, but only have time to take care of one plot. Limits will be negotiated on a case by case basis each year. 5. PLOT TILLING SERVICE: Only farm supervisors or designated student farm manager(s) are permitted to use the tractor and tillage implements. Student interns may use the rototiller and power mowers once they have attended an orientation and safety session. Hand tools will be available on site, but must be well cared for at all times and returned to designated storage areas. 6. PLOT MAINTENANCE: In order to be considered in good standing, students are expected to maintain their plot(s). This includes weeding, mulching, pest control (if needed), and trellising/staking (if needed). Students will share responsibility for mowing the pathways and alleys, mowing under the electric deer fence, maintaining and checking the charge on the electric fence, and keeping common areas clean and free of debris. Weekly meetings with students/interns, the farm manager(s) and farm supervisor(s) will help determine when these tasks need to be performed, and will provide a chance for students to coordinate these efforts and sign up on a common calendar. Students will also share in tasks such as compost procurement, purchase of hay mulch, and other shared items. Maintenance and other problems will be dealt with through conversations, friendly letters, and violation letters. Students who receive 2 or more violation letters will forfeit their deposit. The farm must look well cared for at all times, and the building interior must be kept clean, neat and orderly. 7. POST CROP PLOT CLEAN UP: After the productive life of the crop, check with the Farm Manager or Farm Supervisor to determine what needs to be done next. In some cases, cover crops may be overseeded. In

4 other cases, plots may need to be cleared to prepare for fall crops. Crop debris (with the exception of tomato vines) should be added to the compost piles at the farm. 8. ABSENCES: It is likely that students will have other jobs, may be taking summer classes, or be out oftown for vacations or other reasons during the summer. Please choose your crops to best coincide with your summer schedule and time limitations. If you must be absent during a critical time, work out a laborsharing agreement with one of your fellow farmers to make sure that your plot is cared for, watered, and harvested if needed. Please also let the Farm Manager/Supervisors know of any extended absences as a courtesy, and also if you will be missing weekly planning meetings. 9. PLOT SUB LETTING AND TRANSFER: The student who signed up for the plot(s) must work it/be responsible for it themselves. Students may not sub let or transfer any plot to another person. However, labor sharing, and inviting friends or volunteers to help is ok. 10. STUDENT FARM VISITORS: Students may invite friends or volunteers to help at any time. You are responsible for any visitors that you invite. Please do NOT bring pets to the farm. Vegetable crops are intended for human consumption, and pets in the growing and wash station areas are not conducive to safe food handling practices. If you are inviting a large group of people for a cook out or camp out, please obtain prior approval from the Farm Supervisors [Rhonda Janke and Charlie Barden]. Also please respect and use designated fire pit areas, remove all trash, and do not have a fire if we are experiencing dry weather. 11. WATERING: There are long hoses available for hand watering if needed. Once crops are established, the use of drip tape is encouraged to conserve water and time. The crop beds are set up on three main drip lines, with individual spigots used to turn individual beds on or off. Please be courteous when using the system, check all lines for leaks each time you turn it on, and help each other out by working out a schedule for shared watering responsibilities, since several beds can be watered at the same time. 12. MULCH: Mulching with organic or biodegradable material is encouraged. Hay mulch is purchased in large round bales for shared use. Newspaper may be obtained from recycling centers or the Manhattan Mercury (undistributed copies). Two layers of newspaper under the hay helps keep the Bermuda grass from invading the plots, and seems to be more effective than repeated tillage. (note: be sure to lay the drip tape UNDER the newspaper and hay mulch). Please do NOT use carpet scraps as they do not biodegrade. Please obtain prior permission before using other mulches such as landscape fabric or plastic. 13. COMPOSTING: Recycling of plant material is encouraged. Three bins have been constructed near the fence for this purpose. Students will share responsibility for turning the compost, and moving it from bin to bin as needed. 14. HARVESTING: Students are responsible for the harvest of their mature crops. Produce not harvested at the proper time becomes attractive to nuisance insects and rodents. Produce may be used for personal use or given to friends or a food bank or soup kitchen. However, students are encouraged to sell produce in order to make a profit. 15. WASH STATION: Students must participate in a GAPS (Good Ag Practice) training session and follow all posted rules for hygiene and cleanliness. It is critical that all containers used to pick produce be clean and sterilized, and all boxes used to transport food to markets also be cleaned with soap and water. The walkin cooler at Throckmorton is available to cool produce prior to sale.

5 16. EQUIPMENT: Students will also attend an Equipment Orientation session. Equipment and tools are available for use, and must be returned in clean condition to the appropriate shed before leaving the farm. The tool shed, wash station, and general premises must be free of trash and debris at all times. There is no trash service at the student farm, so students are responsible for coordinating the removal of trash and recyclable materials. The student farm truck, canopies, tables and signs may only be used for marketing purposes. In general, students will be responsible for their own transportation to and from the farm. 17. PESTICIDES AND ORGANIC PRODUCTION METHODS: We would like to maintain the 2 acre section of the student farm as certifiable, even though we haven t been inspected or certified (organic). To do this, we must have a soil building crop rotation in place, purchase plants and seeds from organic sources when available, and not use prohibited materials. These include most soluble fertilizer and synthetic pesticides. There are many botanical and biological pesticides available that have efficacy against the pests we generally face. Please read up on organic methods, and consult the Farm Manger or Farm Supervisors before using a pesticide or other material if you aren t sure that it is allowed in the organic standards. 18. FARM PRODUCTION RECORDS: All student farm participants will be required to complete budget forms so that as a group, we can figure out our costs of production and profits. This will help to educate each other and the Manhattan community about the cost (and value) of locally grown food. 19. OTHER: These guidelines may be amended during the growing season as needed. Please plan to attend weekly update meetings, and approach this experience in the spirit of cooperation and openness to participation in both learning and teaching Willow Lake Student Farm Fees Land use $20 per 5 x 100 bed for "open" beds. Those that are already planted to a crop (e.g. garlic, spinach, blackberries and raspberries) are $40 per bed per year. Checks are payable to "KSU Horticulture Department Willow Lake Farm Account." Water use and drip tape is included in the land use fee, but please use only as needed and take care of hoses, valves, etc when using the water. Floating row cover, T posts and tools, and tillage are also covered in your land use feel. Seeds and other expendable supplies (student is responsible for costs) Transplants students may grow plants from seeds in the teaching greenhouse used for the fruit and vegetable crops class. Flats are available, but please return and wash them after use. Potting mix can be prepared in the greenhouse from peat, perelite, vermiculite and compost. The greenhouse space is also managed as non certified organic, so please do not use prohibited materials when growing transplants. Wash station and equipment no charge, but return all boxes clean after each use. KSU Student Farm Truck, canopy, and other market equipment students are responsible for stall fees. Truck is for market use only and bringing vegetable harvest from the farm to the coolers in Throckmorton. *******************************