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The farm, a project of the Sustainable Living Department, is run as a self-sufficient enterprise to provide students the opportunity to learn state-of-the-art organic farming.
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by Maharishi University of Management, Fairfield, Iowa, USA, The Review
October 2014
Eight Maharishi University of Management (MUM) students spent all or part of the summer working on the student organic farm, producing thousands of pounds of vegetables that they sold locally.
Located in the two greenhouses on campus and on a one-acre plot north of the outdoor tennis courts, the farm provides an opportunity for students to learn all aspects of growing organic vegetables.
According to Steve McLaskey, who operates the farm, the students worked as interns, or for room and board, or as part of a senior project in the Sustainable Living Department.
"They did a good job and learned a lot," Dr. McLaskey said. "They were involved in all facets of the operation, planting, transplanting, driving tractors, harvesting, making compost, and helping to sell the produce at the farmer's market."
The farm's produce was also sold to Golden Dome Market and to Annapurna Dining Hall.
The farm, a project of the Sustainable Living Department, is run as a self-sufficient enterprise. MUM contracts with Dr. McLaskey to manage the operation and provide students the opportunity to learn state-of-the-art organic farming.
Dr. McLaskey said that in addition to practical experience, the students had opportunities to learn from him as situations arose. When caterpillars were eating the kale, he took time out to explain to them what was going on and how the pests could be dealt with. They sprayed the plants with a non-toxic bacteria that gradually becomes toxic to caterpillars once it enters their digestive tract.
The major crops produced by the farm this summer included tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, okra, Chinese long beans, peppers, zucchini, yellow squash, cucumbers, basil, kale, and chard.
"I think the students enjoyed it, but for sure it was a challenge," Dr. McLaskey said. "They learned how much work it takes and the commitment and responsibility that goes along with it. They're now much closer to knowing how to run their own farm, and have an idea how to get started."
Their learning included important details such as when specific vegetables are ready for harvest, how to keep track of everything, field preparation, tests to monitor and manage irrigation, and how to prepare for rainy days.
"The farm provides excellent hands-on and practical experience," said student Daniel Harvey. "When you're learning organic agriculture in a block system, you're very pressed for time, so having that space available for class sessions, work study, and internships is crucial."
© Copyright 2014 Maharishi University of Management
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