Knowledge Grows at New Educational Farm

Thanks to the generous support of Laura and Kevin O’Donohue, MBA ’87, Stanford unveiled its new educational farm on October 14 at a dedication ceremony attended by scores of alumni, staff, students, and supporters of sustainable agriculture. The O’Donohue Family Stanford Educational Farm sits on six acres near the university’s Central Energy Facility and historic Red Barn.

The educational farm will serve as a key component of the School of Earth, Energy & Environmental Sciences’ commitment to preparing the next generation for critical environmental and social challenges of the 21st century. More than 100 varieties of vegetables, flowers, herbs, field crops, and fruit have been planted at the farm to support student research and hands-on experience with the practice of sustainable agriculture. In addition, undergraduate courses, field laboratories, workshops, and educational events for the campus and local community will be hosted at the farm.

The farm expects to harvest more than 20,000 pounds of produce annually. Crops will feed into a new farm-to-campus program, with fresh vegetables featured at Stanford Dining, in campus cafés, and at the Teaching Kitchen @ Stanford.