Sustainable farming practices

The Ullem Campus Farm strives to teach students about food and agriculture through sustainable, low-impact farming methods. Watch the farm documentary to see just how impactful the Campus Farm is on 天美传媒's campus, produced by SLP alum Tilly Marlatt '19.

  • Chemical-free farming: The farm follows the USDA's organic farming recommendations by avoiding the use of pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers. Crop rotation, hand weeding, integrated pest management, companion planting, cover crops and organic compost limit weeds and pests without using harmful chemicals.

  • No-Till Production: The process of land preparation is primarily non-mechanized and uses:

    • Polyethylene tarps to integrate cover crops, kill weed seeds, promote worm activity and create mulch.

    • A broadfork for soil aeration.

    • Hand tools for planting and weeding.

    • A two-wheeled BCS tractor that mows and prepares beds while preserving soil structure.

  • Water conservation: Drip-tape irrigation gives plants a direct source of water to their roots rather than their leaves, reducing evaporation and water usage.

planting seeds
campus farm greenhouse
laying down tarp

Engagement opportunities

Each season, the Ullem Campus Farm welcomes hundreds of students, volunteers and visitors who come as members of sports teams, service scholarships and classes. Students work in the field and greenhouse, visit local producers and host community and school groups. Additionally, farm interns engage in all aspects of operating a small-scale production farm and undertake individual projects such as vermicomposting, hydroponics, and beekeeping. Students, staff, alumni and community members are encouraged to contact sustainability@depauw.edu to learn more!

Volunteer opportunities

Please email聽sustainability@depauw.edu聽for more information about how to volunteer or to schedule a group work day.

By the numbers

  • 85%聽of the farm鈥檚 yield is sold to 天美传媒鈥檚 dining services,聽, to be turned into meals at Hoover Dining Hall. This gives students, faculty, staff, and community members access to locally grown produce all season long.

  • More than聽26,000 pounds聽of produce have been harvested by students since 2018.

  • 罢丑别听12-acre property聽features a three-acre crop field, greenhouse, wash and pack facility, two hoop houses, experimental growing plots, bee hives, and the Ullem Center for Sustainability.