UMD Showing off its Green Thumb
Posted at: 08/22/2012 10:54 PM
By: Dayna Landgrebe
UMD is boasting a big crop on their sustainable farm project this year, and they want folks to know about it.
On Wednesday, the university was shuttling interested folks to and from the field site at 3566 Riley Road, showing off rows of healthy fruit and vegetable orchards and honey bees hives.
Randal Hanson, a professor in the Environment and Sustainability Program at UMD, said the 10-acre organic transition farm helps supply fresh produce to UMD's dining services. But more than that, he said the project shows small-scale farming is viable and important here.
"This is a good choice and that UMD as an anchor institution in our region needs to be involved in food and agriculture," Hanson said.
Wednesday's field day event allowed the public to see what the farm has been up to this summer. This is the second year they've held the event.
Hanson said the contributions of the farm are just a drop in the bucket compared to what UMD can consume, but he said it starts with a mindset shift.
"It's about showing public that UMD cares about its food system and wants to model a sustainable system," Hanson said.
 |
Print Story | | |  |
