WILDCAT FARM LAUNCHES SUCCESSFUL CSA PILOT PROGRAM
42 Different fruit and vegetable crops growing on the farm 117 Unique varieties of fruits and vegetables growing on the farm 5,686 Pounds of produce grown at the farm
47 Bouquets harvested at U-Pick Flower Nights 75+ Volunteers 4,014 Pounds of produce harvested for Dining Services
In Fall 2023, the Wildcat Farm launched a pilot Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program to strengthen community partnerships and provide fresh, locally grown produce. CSAs offer community members the opportunity to support local farms by purchasing bundles of seasonal produce through a subscription model. To promote the program, the Wildcat Farm collaborated with Auxiliary Marketing to create a comprehensive outreach campaign that included social media content, posters, emails, Central Today announcements, and a raffle system. Five participants were selected at random from the raffle, one of whom won a free share. The remaining participants purchased a six-week CSA subscription for $100 each. Participants received weekly boxes featuring fan-favorite produce like tomatillos, kale, leeks, fresh greens, carrots, daikon radishes, tomatoes, and beets. Feedback from the inaugural group was overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing interest in longer subscription options throughout the year.
24 Class visits
12,000 Honeybees in residence
ENHANCING COMMUNITY AND ACCESSIBILITY AT WILDCAT FARM
“Starting a CSA program at Wildcat Farm has helped us further our mission of supporting the health of our campus and community by making local, organic produce affordable and accessible. Promoting sustainable agricultural practices in our community and making quality local produce attainable will help us build a more resilient community. We’ve been so humbled by the outpouring of support the launch of this program has brought us and we look forward to expanding our CSA programs in the seasons to come!”
With the growth of Wildcat Farm’s popularity and workforce during the 2023-24 year, the need for protection from the elements became apparent. To address this, a new shelter was constructed at the center of the community garden, providing a vital space for volunteers and staff. This covered area now serves as a meeting point, a lunch spot equipped with tables and stools, and a hub for weekly farm gatherings. It also houses the community produce bin, offering fresh, farm-grown food to visitors. The farm introduced a new community box initiative to share surplus produce with visitors while protecting community garden plots. In response to concerns about unintentional harvesting from assigned plots, the designated box was created as a solution. Gardeners now place their extra produce in the box for others to take home, reducing incidents of misdirected harvesting. The initiative has been a resounding success, fostering goodwill and ensuring both visitors and gardeners benefit from the farm’s abundance.
KAITLYN FLESHER Wildcat Farm Manager
Encouraged by this success, the Wildcat Farm has expanded the CSA program to include additional seasons and longer subscription periods, further enriching its connection with the community while promoting sustainable, local agriculture.
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