Natural resource conservation and diversity are key components of agroecological systems that are sustainable and resilient. The Agroecology Education Farm demonstrates a type of agricultural system that can help mitigate climate change by reducing fossil fuels in agricultural production through the use of organic-based N fertilizers only (cover crops, residues), resulting in higher quality and quantity of diverse (almost) year-round food.

By using passive solar greenhouses, both stationary and with a sliding infrastructure, the Agroecology Education Farm is able to extend the growing season almost year-round, without fossil fuels. Hundreds of K-12 and university students and other community members visit the farm each year to learn about climate change adaptation practices through microclimate modification of growing food in hoop houses.

Additionally, the Agroecology Education Farm promotes diverse crop production systems highlighted in practice on the farm through crop rotations, intercropping, perennial systems, and cover crop rotations. Diversity is critical to developing agroecosystems that are resilient to climate change and other disturbances. Another important practice you will see at the Agroecology Education Farm is water conservation through drip irrigation. Lastly, you can observe various strategies to promote habitat for beneficial organisms and wildlife at the Agroecology Education Farm that include a large buffer (75 ft x ~825 ft) comprised of native perennial plants, a smaller garden on the fence edge that includes more flowers and flower crops and cover crops integrated into the farm plots and hoop houses.

Learn more about the Agroecology Education Farm