The college farm movement has seen steady growth in the last ten years along with the farm to table phenomenon, as College Value Online’s ranking of the Top 30 Sustainable College Run Farms will attest. College farms are no longer just research sites, but have evolved to become centers of student solidarity and community nutrition. To be considered for their top 30 ranking, an initial pool of 100 college farms had to demonstrate sustainability. This sustainability was measured in terms of significant student involvement, environmentally friendly methods, diversity of production, connection with college instruction, and farm sales targeting both the college and surrounding community.

 

9. COLLEGE OF THE ATLANTIC BEECH HILL FARM – MOUNT DESERT ISLAND, ME

     Boasting deep glacial soils in an idyllic island setting in Bar Harbor, College of the Atlantic’s Beech Hill Farm produces organic food for members of the campus and surrounding communities. Eighty percent of produce is sold directly to customers at the Beech Hill Farm Stand, and the rest is sold to the community in the form of CSA shares. Another interesting facet of Beech Hill’s sustainability is its exploration of alternative power sources, from solar to wind to biomass.

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