March 21, 2023
Student Garden Program 2023 orientation: Still time to sign up
Willow Lake Student Farm will host the first Student Garden Program 2023 orientation session at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 23, in 2414 Throckmorton Hall. The second orientation session will be at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 6, in 2414 Throckmorton Hall. There is still time to sign up for the Garden Track and Grower Track.
The farm was created in 2008 to give students a place to grow their own fruits and vegetables, to enable fruit and vegetable research close to campus and to provide space for activities and events related to specialty crop production. The farm is returning to its roots and has opened up space for students to return and grow ... literally.
Garden Track participants will have 20-foot by 20-foot garden plots to grow whatever they would like to grow for their own use and enjoyment — nothing invasive or illegal, please. Smaller plots are available on request. Grower Track participants will choose one or more crops to produce for the 2023 CSA and sales to campus dining outlets and share in the profits derived from the crop(s) they grow. Students in both tracks will have access to the farm's tools and supplies and will be provided with monthly workshops to help broaden their understanding and skills in specialty crop — fruits, vegetables and ornamental plants — gardening/farming.
Student gardeners are expected to commit to the program from April through November to maintain their plots, attend monthly workshops and help in planning and putting on the Fall Harvest Festival — a social event that will highlight student activities and opportunities at the farm.
Each participant is required to attend one of the two orientation sessions. During orientation, participants will learn about the rules and expectations, how to access the farm and farm tools and other resources, and can ask any questions. After orientation, students may access the seed library, use greenhouse space to start seeds, start preparing their plots and more.
For more information, visit the Student Garden Program page or email Jeremy Cowan at jscowan@k-state.edu or Mason Klish, farm coordinator, at mklish@k-state.edu.
Willow Lake Student Farm is about six miles north of campus, adjacent to, and access from, the Tuttle Creek State Park. Link to map.
Garden Track participants will be asked to pay a $50 security deposit, refundable at the conclusion of the program.