University urban farm grows in esteem
For what may be the first time
in its history, the University has
achieved national recognition
for its efforts in agriculture.
The recipient of the new
found fame is the University’s
urban farm project, the six
year-old brainchild of lands
cape architecture Prof. Richard
Britz. The farm recently was in
cluded in a catalogue of model
alternative resource projects
published by the Center for
Renewable Resources, a na
tional organization funded by
the federal energy department
Prof wants gardens on campus
The farm thus becomes a
model for organic farming
projects throughout the
country. For Britz, however, the
goals of the farm stretch far
beyond demonstrating the utility
of non-chemical agriculture.
“It is our premise that recon
sideration and reorganization of
our existing systems begins at
home and inour places of learn
ing,” Britz has written. “The
evolution of change stands its
best chance by springing from
our own personal environ
ments.”
On a one and a half plot north
of campus, Britz and his
students are attempting to bring
rural life a little closer to city
dwellers. Britz sees a world
where the values and needs of
those in the cities have come
into increasing conflict with
their counterparts on the land —
and he thinks both are poorer
for it. He suggests that if lasting
improvements are to be made in
the situation, the changes must
begin in the city.
“One way to do that," he
says, “is to bring agriculture
into people’s backyards.” Cur
rently, city planning is “crunch
ing" agriculture in the state,
Britz says.
“The point of my work is that
people can reverse the trend,”
he says.
You told her you have
your own place.
Now you have to tell your roommates.
You’ve been trying to get to know her better since
the beginning of the term. And when site mentioned how
hard it is to study in the dorm, you said,
“My place is nice and quiet. Conte on
over and study with me!’
Your roommates weren't very
happy about it. But after a little
persuading they decided the double
feature at the Bijou might be worth
seeing.
They’re pretty special friends.
And they deserve a special “Thanks!’
So. tonight, let it be Lowenbrau.
Lowenbrau. Here’s to good mends.
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With that philosophy in mind,
Britz and the students and
faculty members working with
him have developed a system
that they believe will enable city
residents to participate in farm
life at home.
The urban farm, as it had
developed under Britz’ direc
tion, is virtually a self-contained
operation. For example, water
will soon be drawn from the
millrace through a windmill that
was constructed as part of a
class project last year.
Another vital element, fer
tilizer, is provided by the oblig
ing group of rabbits housed at
the farm site.
The plants are grown on
raised beds — a gardening
technique developed in France
and China — which Britz says
are particularly suitable for the
poorly drained soil that abounds
in the Willamette Valley. Britz
observed raised-bed gardening
first-hand on a trip to China last
year.
Britz has plans to expand the
farm’s operation. He wants to
plant vegetable gardens around
the University campus.
“The campus could literally
bloom with gardens,” he says.
Britz says a five-acre filbert
orchard that stands on Univer
sity property adjacent to the
farm site has been pruned this
spring in an effort to bring it
back into production.
Rather than focusing on the
immediate, practical aspects of
the farm, Britz views it as as a
prototype that could be adapted
for use in any major city. Britz
believes city residents could
grow a large portion of their own
food by utilizing the land lying
dormant in backyards, alleys
and streets.
Britz envisions a block-by
block network of miniature
farms where neighbors have
torn down their backyard
fences.
Britz has summarized his vi
sion in a book titled “The Edible
City Resource Manual” that will
be available June 1.
“Sharing and exchange of
resources may be the main
concern for our world citizenry
for our immediate future, and
maybe exercising these oppor
tunities at the neighborhood
scale will give us these exper
iences,” he writes.
CASH
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