By: Haley R. Moore
A student marketing plan to bring Terp Farm sunflowers to campus through a community supported agriculture (CSA) membership came to fruition this fall at the University of Maryland Farmers Market.
The plan was developed by Riley Moffitt, a junior majoring in Agricultural Business and Resource Economics at the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. She conceptualized the idea in her INAG103 Agricultural Marketing class taught by Meredith Epstein, Principal Lecturer and Advisor at the Institute of Applied Agriculture (IAA).
“I immediately loved the idea and began brainstorming the best way for me to help make this idea a reality,” Moffitt said.
According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), a CSA is a membership program that consists of a community of individuals who pledge support for farm products. Growers and consumers provide mutual support and share risks and benefits of production.
Moffitt’s project also included a comparative cost analysis of competitor sales and profits which helped set the price for stems and the CSA. Members paid $80 for a weekly, seven-stem bouquet to be picked up on Wednesdays at the campus farmers market.
Students worked with Terp Farm Manager, Guy Kilpatric, to do succession planting so that each week, the flowers would flourish before harvest.
“This is a student project turned into something beautiful that is actually in the hands of paying customers this fall,” said Epstein.
Epstein explained that the CSA highlights campus collaborations. Terp Farm is a partnership between Dining Services and the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. It is located at the Maryland Agricultural Experiment Station (MAES) Central Maryland Research and Education Center (CMREC) Upper Marlboro Facility.
Food is grown here with the help of student workers and is sent off to campus dining halls as well as donated to the UMD Campus Pantry.
“This combination builds campus community, plus it builds both hard and soft skills for the students involved,” said Epstein.
Moffitt said the primary goal of the project was to promote the Terp Farm mission.
“The CSA helps spread awareness by educating those involved in what the farm does,” said Moffitt. “I hope that the education for the benefits this farm provides continues to expand as this sunflower project grows.”
Epstein explained that beyond the agricultural education students receive by engaging with applied projects, it actualizes the full potential of Term Farm.
“The farm provides a space to explore interdisciplinary topics like entrepreneurship and sustainability in a concrete, hands-on way,” said Epstein. “And this is a visually stunning way to do it!”
Though the sunflower season has ended, there is already enthusiasm for next year.
“I hope to see the sunflowers back with more subscribers next year!” said Epstein. “If we can secure consistent funding for student staff positions at the farm throughout the season, we may be able to offer a vegetable CSA as well.”
All profits from the CSA will help fund future student opportunities at Terp Farm.