7.20.22

Around The Farm

The UW Farm Strategic Plan Report
By Madison Rose Bristol, Evans School of Public Policy and Governance, MPA + School of Marine and Environmental Affairs, MMA
 
In September of 2021, the UW Farm began a process of reflection, visioning, and planning to meet the needs of farm staff and to better serve the UW community. Now eleven months into the process, the UW Farm Strategic Plan has taken shape around organizational sustainability, food security and sovereignty, community empowerment, and deepened academic opportunities. We are proud of how this work has come together in collaboration with the farm’s community, and are excited to share with you the report documenting this process.
 
The UW Farm Strategic Plan: Phase I tells the story of how the UW Farm strategic planning team navigated challenges and leaned on the voices of community members to plan for the farm’s future. As a longtime partner of the UW Farm, the Campus Sustainability Fund opened the door for this iterative process, funding a graduate research assistant to facilitate this work. I have been so grateful to hold this position for the past year and to have grown in the company of people who care deeply about cultivating food, relationships, and joy. My hope is that the dedicated work we have poured into the Strategic Plan will materialize into programs that center food as a source of connection, community, and liberation.
 
I encourage you to read this report and reflect on your experiences with the farm. Envision all it could be, and what actions would be required to reach that vision. This report is intended to provide the foundational knowledge needed to make strategic decisions moving forward. Furthermore, the final chapter presents the draft Strategic Plan, which centers four strategic goals:
Strategic Goal #1: Meet Academic Demand: Increase capacity with sustainable staffing and funding models to meet the academic demand for the UW Farm and maintain the farm as a living laboratory for courses, community-engaged learning, and research.
 
Strategic Goal #2: Deepen Student Understanding of Urban Food Production Systems: Expand UW offerings and strengthen academic learning by establishing a minor or certificate in urban agriculture and sustainable food systems.
 
Strategic Goal #3: Support Inclusive Community Building & Empowerment: Continue to build relationships with new and existing community partners to advance food sovereignty and food justice goals. This includes fostering community for residence hall students, supporting the Native Garden with wǝɫǝbʔaltxʷ, offering UWBG adult and youth education programs, and others.
 
Strategic Goal #4: Contribute to UW Food Security, Food Sovereignty, & Sustainability: Increase access to organic, culturally significant food for all students while increasing the overall sustainability of the university's food system.
 
Though I have graduated and will be moving onto other positions, this work will continue, and the farm welcomes community feedback on any aspect of the Strategic Plan.
 
Lastly, I would like to send a note of gratitude out to those who have participated in this process through the Community Survey and other means. It has been a joy hearing about the multitude of ways in which the farm has enhanced peoples’ lives, and I have been inspired by the outpouring of creative ideas to reach these strategic goals. Thank you for engaging with me and the farm and for being a part of this community.

This Week's Recipe:

From The Spruce Eats

Sautéed Radicchio

• 1 head radicchio

• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

• 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt

• Sea salt flakes, to taste, for garnish
   

  Steps to Make It

• Gather the ingredients.

  

• Trim off and discard any brown part of the stem end of the radicchio. If the outside leaves look a bit beat up, feel free to remove and discard those as well.

  

• Cut the radicchio head into quarters.

  

• Cut out and discard the core from each quarter.

  

• Cut the quarters into bite-size pieces. To keep things as pretty as possible, consider leaving the pieces fairly large.

  

• Heat a large frying pan or saute pan over medium-high heat. Add the oil and swirl to coat the bottom.

  

• Add the radicchio, sprinkle with salt, and stir to coat the leaves with the oil.

  

• Cook, stirring frequently until the radicchio is tender to the bite and starting to brown just a bit, about 8 minutes.

  

• Transfer the radicchio to a serving platter or individual plates. Sprinkle with more salt or a finishing salt, such as Maldon, if you like. Serve hot, warm, or at room temperature. Enjoy.

  

  Find the full recipe and variations here

News and Noteworthy:

iUrban Teen: Farming and Outdoor Activities at Small Axe Farm

When: July, 25th – 27th 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Where: Plants Northwest Inc, 14273 Redmond – Woodinville Road Northeast, Redmond, WA 98052
 Hosted by: iUrban Teen

iUrban Teen and the Black Farmers Collective, introdcute farming and outdoor activities to students at the Small Axe Farm. Small Ace Farm teaches new BIPOC farmers by providing access to land, infrastructure, business development, and training resources, and it located in the Sammamish Vallet, alongside the Sammamish River.

Register for the event and learn more here

When: Saturday, August 13th , 1 pm – 4 pm
Where: Discovery Park
Hosted By: Center for Urban Horticulture

Participate in this 'weed walk' and learn how to identify and gather some of the most common edible weeds and wild foods available in your garden and in other disturbed areas. Many gardeners are already recognizing many of the benefits of these 'interlopers.' However, when it comes to serving them up in the kitchen, few of us have learned to take full advantage of these labor-free gifts. This hands-on workshop at Discovery Park includes discussion on gathering ethics, local rules and regulations, safety, and general information about how to cook with weeds. Attendees receive a handy take-home flier with field identification information and cooking tips. Cost: $45 Register online or call 206.685.8033 Location Discovery Park, North Parking Lot Presenter Melany Vorass Herrera Contact Information   urbhort@uw.edu

Agriculture and Food Systems Employment Opportunities:

• Seasonal Farm Program Assistant, Pike Place Market 
• Red Dog Farms – Field Crew
• Oxbow Farm – Multiple
• WSDA Organic Programs – Inspectors
• 21 Acres – Multiple
• Tonnemaker – Field and Farm Stand Crew
• Cascade Markets – Market Manager
• Carnation Farms – Director of Sustainable Agriculture
• Common Ground Farms – Assistant Camp Director
• Kitsop Farm – Veggie Crew
• Pacific Coast Harvest – Food Aggregator and Driver
• Seattle Neighborhoods Farmers Market – Farmers Market Manager

Food Access Resources

The UW Farm donates regularly to the UW Food Pantry. During peak season we also donate to nearby food banks. The links below are resources to help you or someone you know with food access.  

• UW Food Pantry: The UW Food Pantry | Any Hungry Husky (washington.edu)
• Northwest Harvest Food Donation sites: Public Drop Sites – Northwest Harvest
• University District Food Bank: Donate Food and Items – University District Food Bank (udistrictfoodbank.org)
• Food Lifeline: Volunteer – Food Lifeline

Help The Farm Grow!

Every year, we have the capacity to grow more food and increase our educational and research program at the UW, but not without your support. Every contribution goes to work immediately, helping us better serve students. Your support can sustain our momentum and help seed new opportunities for student internships, academic work, and future growth. Please consider making a gift to the Farm online

Copyright © 2022 The UW Farm, All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is:
The UW Farm
3501 NE 41st St, 
Seattle, WA 98105

On campus mailbox
Box 354115

NEW email address:
uwfarm@uw.edu