By Clare Decker
The UMich Campus Farm Club is a student-led organization dedicated to making sustainable
food and farming practices accessible to all students. Through our club, we bring together
sustainable farming, education, and community to create leadership opportunities, provide
hands-on learning experiences, and foster meaningful connections.
Our Fall 2024 semester was an overwhelming success, thanks in large part to our partnership
with the BLI. Their generous grant allowed us to overcome one of our biggest barriers to
engagement: transportation. With reliable rides to and from the Campus Farm, we were able to
welcome more students and continue our mission without the logistical challenges that have
historically hindered participation.
The funding also helped support a range of exciting club events, including a Salad Social to
welcome new and returning members, a Beekeeping Workshop in partnership with Ann Arbor
Backyard Beekeepers, and a Native Flowers Educational Workday to learn and connect with our
local ecosystem.
One of the highlights of the semester was Farmal (also known as Farm Formal), an annual event
to celebrate the fruits of our labor. This event was a true test of leadership for our members, as
the planning and execution required teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving. Although we
faced a few challenges—such as balancing different visions for the event, working within the
limits of our event space, and figuring out the logistics of sourcing and transporting our
food—our planning committee navigated each obstacle. The result was a fantastic evening filled
with sustainable food, community bonding, and a celebration of the hard work that went into our
farm this season.
Most importantly, Farmal provided an opportunity for reflection: we celebrated how the practices
at the farm have fostered a deeper understanding of sustainable agriculture, preparing us to
continue as leaders in this vital field.
A heartfelt thank you to the BLI for supporting our mission and helping us grow. If you’re
interested in joining us or learning more, please reach out cfceboard@umich.edu.
Peas and Love,
Campus Farm Club
