National Farm to College Research Report
By Kristen Markley ~ October, 2002
Report sections
- About This Report and the Programs Surveyed
- Processing Facilities, Staffing, and How Products are Incorporated
- Who is Involved, How Found Farmers, and Farmer Profitability
- Research, Funding, Related Projects, and Promotional Aspects <<
- Recommended Policies and Support, Barriers, Benefits, Recommended Strategies
Research
Several
of the colleges and universities interviewed have conducted
research on farm-to-college projects. Some of the farm to
college projects began by students researching what percentage
of the products purchased by food service were local, the
origins of the products currently purchased, and the social,
economic, and environmental implications of how these products
were raised and transported. Some of the colleges and universities
interested in developing farm to college projects first researched
how existing projects worked and explored the availability
of local products. The University of Wisconsin's Center for
Integrated Agricultural Systems has done the most extensive
research on farm to college projects (see their information
listed in this research report and on the Farm to College
program resource
list).
Funding
Some
of the farm to college projects received funding from the
school, food service or through outside grants. Funding was
often used to sustain a student position to coordinate the
project.
Related Projects
Other
components connected with the farm-to-college project include
recycling programs; composting programs (food scraps go to
cafeteria garden, campus farm, or local farm); conservation
programs (reduce water consumption and packaging); canning
projects; tofu project, student farms, farmers markets, nutrition
education, sustainable agriculture research and curriculum
projects, and fair trade projects.
Promotional Aspects
Some
farm to college projects promote the purchasing of local products
through bringing farmers in to speak in the dining halls,
at special events, or in the classroom; through farm tours;
through posters, labels, table tents, and information tables;
and through publicity in local newspapers, on local radio
stations, and on web sites.
 Photo
courtesy of UW-Madison College of Agricultural and Life Sciences
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