the campus farm sets up and digs in for the cold season

Tucked away in a small corner just behind Hazel Miller Hall is probably one of the coolest things our college has to offer. 

The Edmonds College Campus Community Farm is a 20-bed urban farming plot that donates over 2,400 pounds of fresh produce every year to the Campus Food Pantry. Run by a handful of volunteers and the farm manager, Sam Pedersen, the farm’s weekly work parties are incredibly important to maintaining the farm and making sure it can donate as much food as possible.

“[Without volunteers,] I would not have time to get to less crucial work,” Sam said. “When I’m making my to-do list, weeding is at the very bottom unless it’s to clear a bed to plant it. That’s why other people are so helpful.”

During the “Persephone period,” where daylight is under 10 hours a day, nothing continues to grow. However, according to Sam, crops that were already planted and growing before the days get shorter go into a stasis and maintain themselves during winter.

With the cold season rolling in, the farm is starting to focus on preparing the soil and setting up the space to survive and thrive through the winter. We do what we can outside.

“It’s wet, and slugs and mildew are an issue, but we do what we can because having things growing is good for the soil,” Sam said. “Right now, what beds aren’t planted, I’ll cover with leaves. You don’t want to lose anything to erosion, or to have it compacted by rain, hail, or snow. It keeps the soil protected.”

Some plants, however, grow really well in cold weather. Chards, collards, lettuces, and beets are all currently growing amongst others.

“We’re growing broccoli right now, but instead of the large heads, you get more sprouts, which is better for feeding as many people as possible,” Sam said. “It’s better to have three bunches to give to three people. That’s the name of the game here. We want as much yield as we can so we can share as much as we can with the food pantry.”

While the farm is open to the campus and the community, and people are more than welcome to check out the space, Sam said that respecting the area is crucial to ensuring it can continue to grow and support the campus. 

“I want people to come and enjoy the space, but I do have two rules: please close the bunny gate, and please don’t take food,” Sam said. They added that when food that is taken off the farm instead of being donated to the Campus Pantry, it becomes difficult to apply for grant funding that keeps the farm running, since there’s less produce to measure and track. 

This fall, the Campus Farm is holding work parties every Monday and Tuesday, and volunteer hours count toward Service-Learning credit.

“I wish it were a more fun time all year round with sunshine, parties, and big harvests,” Sam said. “I’m so impressed when people still come out when it’s not like that. When it’s wet and cold, they show up to help, and that support is extremely important.”