WILDCAT FARM
NEW STAFF Nora Jacobs Production Lead
Q. How did you get involved with the farm? I’ve worked in agriculture in various ways. I grew up in Ellensburg, working on organic vegetable and goat farms, and spent summers in college farming. After teaching for a while, I returned to agriculture because it’s such an important part of my life. Before joing Wildcat Farm, I worked on a large ranch but wanted more interaction with people, which led me here.
INTERVIEW with the New Production Lead The Wildcat Farm is more than just a
Through a combination of expertise, creativity, and collaboration, Wildcat Farm continues to thrive as a vibrant center for learning and sustainability. With goals to expand facilities, increase student engagement, and grow its impact, the farm exemplifies the potential of hands-on education and sustainble agriculture. The dedication of its team and the enthusiasm of CWU students ensure that the Wildcat Farm remains a cornerstone of the university’s commitment to community and the environment.
outside the box, and make the work fun. We have student farm assistants and a community garden coordinator, and their contributions are invaluable. Q. What are some of the challenges? Wind is our biggest challenge—it can wipe out crops overnight. One of our high tunnel tops even blew off this spring. Another challenge is weeding since we’re organic and don’t use pesticides or herbicides. Q. How do you use sustainable practices? Sustainability is at our core. We avoid pesticides and herbicides to protect the envionrment, use drip tape irrigation to conserve water, and compost as much as possible to return nutrients to the soil. Q. What are your goals for the farm? I see so much potential. I’d like to add an outdoor classroom for student projects, get chickens, build a produce washing station to speed up production, grow at least 10,000 pounds of produce, and acquire an industrial composter. Increasing student engagement through work parties, volunteering, or visits is also a priority.
place for growing produce—it’s a hub for education, community engagement, and sustainable agriculture practices. This year, the farm has made remarkable strides in its operations, thanks in part to its dedicated team. In this interview, we hear from one of the farm’s key contributors, Nora Jacobs, whose background in agriculture and passion for sustainability have been instrumental in shaping its success. Her insights highlight the farm’s impact on students, the challenges of
Q. Can you share a change you helped implement?
Kailtyn and I introduced more structure and systems. Students are now assigned specific areas of the farm to monitor, making observations and addressing issues themselves or reporting them to us. This approach has improved efficiency and coverage across the farm. Q. How do you collaborate with the students? I work closely with the students, meeting often and exchanging ideas. They’re innovative, think
organic farming, and the innovative techniques that set Wildcat Farm apart.
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