Reflections on the 2023 growing season from Farmer Josh Parr
It’s the end of my second growing season here at LaFarm, and it just goes to show that no two seasons are the same. From a drought in spring to a drought in summer, from Bon Appetite to Parkhurst, and always new faculty and student partners, there’s hardly ever a dull moment at LaFarm.
Overall, this was one of the most successful seasons at LaFarm, with new records in production, education, and student engagement. I would attribute this first and foremost to my excellent student crew, many of whom started working on the farm around the same time as me. Together we have learned a lot about our little college farm and how to make it run well. This success can also be attributed to our wonderful new greenhouse, which helps with every aspect of LaFarm’s mission, from vegetable production to community engagement to curricular integration.
26,000 seedlings grown in our new greenhouse
18,864 pounds of produce grown (new record!)
15 courses incorporated the farm into their syllabus (new record!)
1,020 visitors and volunteers spent 1,585 hours at LaFarm (new record!)
81 events hosted on the farm
18 students employed, including our first full-season apprentice