The Big Hill Farm is a local and organic student run garden. In 2009, two Environmental Studies majors, Eliza Swedenborg and Cat Wiechmann turned their senior project into the Big Hill Farm. They wanted Big Hill Farm to be a local and organic produce garden.
Department Chair of Environmental Studies and Professor James Dontje serves as the advisor and was responsible for getting funds to help support the paycheck for the farmers. The founders named the farm after a hill.
“Big Hill Farm was named after the Gustavus Hill. Since Gustavus was on top of a big hill, its founders decided, Big Hill Farm,” Junior Big Hills Farmer Matthew Gullickson explained.
Big Hill Farm used to be in a different location, but was relocated three years ago to its present place, by the west soccer fields parking lot.
Most of the produce from the farm is given to the Caf and the surrounding community. Produce given to the Caf usually has a sign that says “Big Hill Farm” for students. Big Hill Farm grows a variety of vegetables and fruits. Some of the vegetable and fruits grown are, grapes, pumpkins, cantaloupes, watermelon, cucumber, melons, squash, tomatoes, and onions. Grapes have recently been added into the crop this year. These are all grown by the Farmers and the student volunteers who work at the Farm. There’s also a flower garden at the entry of the Big Hill Farm which Gullickson started.
Planting is usually done in the spring and harvesting is done in the fall. Once winter comes around, Big Hill Farmers hold different events to educate Gusties about what they are, and what they do.
This year’s accomplishments for Big Hill Farm includes their harvest of over 3,000 lbs of food.
“This is the most we’ve ever had so far,” Reina Nielsen, a Junior Biology major and farmer, said.
Since Big Hill Farm is a student run garden, students choose what to plant, and where they want to plant it.
“We try to have as many volunteer aids as we can fit in. Get people out here. Get them farming. That’s what organic farming is all about,” Nielsen stated.
Farming for Big Hill Farm not only offers you a better understanding of where your food comes from, it also provides hands-on experience and life-long skills. Gustavus students volunteer to work at the farm as well as some high school students from the community.
“We try to have as many volunteer aids as we can fit in. Get people out here. Get them farming. That’s what organic farming is all about.”—Reina Nielsen
Big Hill Farm uses gardening methods that minimalize harm to the Earth. They don’t use any chemicals on the fruits and vegetables they grow.
Recently, garden plots near the Johns Family Courtyard and Nobel Hall of Science have also been added on campus.
Dontje has a set goal for this winter.
“One of my goals for the fall is to get the greenhouse up and running. Some main goals for the Big Hill Farm is also to grow local produce, and to learn about agriculture gardening,” Dontje said.
Dontje plans to further the internship and gardening through winter with the greenhouse. The fundings and grants they’ve received in the past have been able to fund the Big Hill Farm and the greenhouse.
-Pangachuu Vang