Soil Stewards Student Farm celebrated their 2nd Annual Fall Fest on Oct. 10 during Homecoming Weekend.
The event had opportunities for students, families and faculty to celebrate the Homecoming Weekend and learn more about sustainable, student-led farming. A master gardener was present to educate on farming tips and techniques and representatives from Soil Stewards and the Food Science Club informed participants on general harvesting, gardening and farming.
“They (answered) people’s questions about gardening in general and more specifically, how to prepare your garden spot for winter.” Jodi Johnson-Maynard, acting adviser for the Soil Steward Club, said.
The Food Science Club came out and did some fun facts about fall, winter squash and pumpkins and answered any preservation-type questions.
The main events of the Fest included a “you pick” pumpkin patch, a “you dig” potato patch and a seasonal produce sale of onions, shallots, potatoes, squash and rosemary.
“My favorite thing…is watching kids come out and cut their pumpkins,” Jodi said. “We have some ‘you dig’ potatoes for sale, so children of all ages like to dig potatoes. It’s always fun to work with somebody that’s never seen how a potato plant grows, so they can make that connection the next time they buy a potato in the grocery store.”
All proceeds from the Fest from harvested pumpkins and potatoes and seasonal pre-harvested produce went back into supporting the farm.
“We are a teaching farm, but we also are a working farm in that we have to…support ourselves financially.” Jodi said. “We’ll use the revenue to support the purchase of our seeds for next year, and organic-certified soil…as well as small equipment.”
Extra produce not sold during the season during weekly farm sales or the Fest was donated in partnership with Food Not Bombs, a local nonprofit to support the community.
The Fest was one of the few in-person events happening during Homecoming Week, as most of the scheduled events were either cancelled or moved to a virtual setting due to COVID-19 safety protocols put forward by the University of Idaho.
“I’ve been happy with the safety measures that the university has taken.” Jodi said. “We want everyone to have as near-normal of an experience as possible, but safety has to be number one.”
Most participants were UI students, as well as families and other community members with the Homecoming spirit and personal safety in mind.
“Things are a lot different, but the university is handling it pretty well.” Sarah Baird, a Moscow local, said. “They’re still trying to do Homecoming with what they can while also still being safe.”
Soil Stewards Student Farm holds produce sales every Thursday from 4-6 p.m. For more information, visit Facebook and Instagram under Soil Stewards Student Farm and @soilstewardsuidaho. Donate and learn more on the Soil Stewards Student Farm page on UI’s website.