Who we are
The ISU Student Organic Farm (SOF) is a Iowa State University campus club whose membership includes undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, and Ames community members.
What we are about
The objectives of the SOF are the following:
-To create a functioning farm that meets both educational and production goals
-To practice and experiment with organic production methods.
-To increase community awareness and support of local food systems.
-To encourage multidisciplinary cooperation in sustainable food systems.
What we do
The fields are full and we're trying to keep on top of the weeds.
Last summer we had three undergraduate interns working at the farm during the week and other people volunteer to work on the farm to supplement their work. We also had plenty of people from the community with their own garden plots at the farm.
Since the organization's conception in the fall of 1996, students have managed all aspects of the 6 acre farm: planning, writing grants, managing money, stocking supplies, building structures, growing crops, and selling the products. In the past, the SOF sold at the Ames Farmer's Market, though now most of the produce is donated to shelters and food banks in Ames. This fall, the Student Organic Farm will sell produce to ISU Dining through the Farm to ISU program. http://www.dining.iastate.edu/farm_to_isu/
What we grow
Our major crops for the past several years have included tomatoes, onions, potatoes, leeks, radishes, spinach, kale, and peppers. Last year we have a great variety of crops from peanuts to watermelon; we had a fantastic harvest of green beans (thank you Tomoko!). We also tend several perennial crops including asparagus, raspberries, strawberries and rhubarb. The edge of the farm is bordered by peach trees too! We are always interested in trying new things, so if you have any ideas of crops you would like to grow and you are willing to share your skills and time, please join us!
Where we are
The ISU Student Organic Farm got started in 1996. The original location of the farm was off of Ontario Street in northwest Ames until it moved to its location on south of ISU on Mortensen Road in 1998.
Since 2006 it has been located at the ISU Horticulture Station. There we have 4 acres (a half acre is in vegetable production).
55519 170th Street, Ames, Iowa
http://www.hort.iastate.edu/facilities/hortfarm.html
