Organic Farm
About the Organic Farm
There are five acres in the northwest portion of the Evergreen campus dedicated to agricultural and ecological studies. The five-acre plot includes the farmhouse, Demeter's Gardens, Community Gardens, the Biodiesel facility, the compost facility, the workroom, tool shed, greenhouses and the 38,000 square foot production area of the Organic Farm.
Production at The Organic Farm
The production area of the Organic Farm functions as a learning laboratory focused on small-scale organic agriculture. Students enrolled in the Practice of Sustainable Agriculture Program are interns on the Organic Farm who complete farm work in compensation for credit. The Organic Farm Manager and student farm aides maintain the momentum of the growing season and guide the students in farm duties. The Organic Farm is Certified Organic and is Salmon Safe Certified.
The Organic Farm crew works all year round to plan, plant, maintain and harvest the various crops grown. The Compost Facility is used to turn farm waste into compost for fertilizing the production area of the farm.
During the growing season the Organic Farm's produce is sold at the Organic Farm Stand on Red Square at Evergreen, at The Organic Farm during business hours and through our Community Supported Agriculture Program. Excess produce and plant starts are donated to the Thurston County Food Bank.
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Program invites people to purchase a share of the current years produce and receive a box of freshly harvested produce through the summer and early fall. Members pay up front to help with initial farm costs and are rewarded summer long with fantastic Organic produce. The Organic Farm offers a small number of shares and encourages others to invest in their local food system by supporting their local farmers.
The Farm Stand is open Tuesdays and Thursdays during the growing season and is located in front of the Library Building at The Evergreen State College Olympia campus.
The Greenery features produce from The Organic Farm on the salad bar in late spring and early fall when the academic year and growing season overlap.
On-Farm sales are made in the workroom during business hours: Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm. We encourage customers to visit our farm stand during the growing season, to make arrangements for on-farm sales please contact the Organic Farm.
The Organic Farm as a Living Laboratory
The growing methods practiced and taught at The Organic Farm work to embody a living example of sustainable agriculture. Students learn how to plan, plant, maintain and harvest a diverse array of vegetable crops. During the three quarter internship, students participate in various areas of small-scale farming including care of perennial crops, orchards, chickens, tools, equipment, and irrigation just to name a few. The Organic Farm practices and teaches various tools to maintain a healthy food system starting with the soil.
Students are encouraged to develop a personal project to research, build, plant or develop an area of the farm. These projects have had a large impact on the Organic Farm. Some projects include; The composting toilet, rebuilding of the Farmhouse, enlarge the orchard and more recently to create a master plan for the Organic Farm, design the Sustainable Agricultural Lab Building and research the history of the farm.
Volunteer at The Organic Farm
Volunteers are welcome to help farm aides with various farm tasks. To make arrangements contact The Organic Farm or visit sometime during our volunteer hours: Wednesdays 9am - 5pm.
- Community Gardens Is a Student Activities group dedicated to providing gardening space to members of Evergreen and the greater Olympia community.
- Demeter's Gardens Demeter's Garden is a community-based demonstration site, embodying the principles of permaculture and perennial polyculture systems.