Texas A&M University
Tier2-5: Sustainable Enterprise

Students initiated the Texas A&M Student Organic Farm (SOF) in the fall of 2009 as an experiential education facility open to the campus and local communities. The SOF is a student and volunteer driven initiative that has created a venue where many students and community members have actively participated in their first agricultural experience. Student volunteers come from diverse backgrounds and educational concentrations, which very few agriculturally focused. The educational opportunities of the SOF go far and above exposure. For students wanting to develop a deeper understanding of organic food production, and small farm management, the SOF has the ability to give them the opportunity to experience real situations in small farm operations. The SOF has the ability to offer experiences forging skills in marketing, organization, distribution, accounting, critical thinking and public speaking. Students working on the farm will be introduced to three distinct markets: wholesale, CSA or Community Supported Agriculture, and direct sales. Since 2009 the SOF has been marketing an increasing amount of fresh, nutrient dense, sustainably grown, student produced food to University Dining. These efforts will provide greater diversity to dining hall’s menus and reduce the food miles of a percentage of their produce. It is also an ambition that in the 2011 fall season a small, on farm, composting operation will recycle a percentage of waste generated by university dining halls. The SOF will also be conducting a CSA for faculty and students as well as an on-campus, student run farmers' market.