From greenhouses to dining centers, a new interdisciplinary project is cultivating sustainability across K-State.
All students, regardless of discipline, have something in common: They all have to eat.
Out of this truth sprouted the interdisciplinary idea to bring together faculty and students to develop and demonstrate various methods of growing healthy produce.
It was a no-brainer for One K-State Fund to support the project.
“It was the genuinely interdisciplinary, multi-modal nature of the proposal that distinguished it in the eyes of both the initial review committee and our executive committee,” said Ian Jacobs, university strategy officer. “To say we are excited to fund this work would be an understatement.”
Where’s the feast?
Fruits and vegetables grown in campus greenhouses and at the Willow Lake Student Farm will supply K-State Housing and Dining Services, the Dairy Bar Marketplace and Cats’ Cupboard food pantry.
Not only that, but food waste from campus will be returned to the crops by way of composting. This will create a sustainable, circular model.
The project also opens doors to great hands-on opportunities for courses, laboratories, internships and undergraduate or graduate research.
Growing research
The project will be used to research solutions for sustainable food production, including cover crops, soil fertility, weed management, nutrient evaluation, effects of light quality and waste reduction.
These results will be communicated to the community through fact sheets, demonstrations, workshops and documentaries.
Prior to this project, K-State was already a leading university in sustainability. But with One K-State Fund support and hard work, Wildcats can pull even further forward in the lead.
By Kate Ellwood
Curated from One K-State Fund selects project to enhance sustainable food production on campus