Farming Returns to La Sierra, Hydroponics Style
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PHOTO: LA SIERRA ENACTUS
uring La Sierra University’s early years, the school farm, especially its alfalfa fields and watermelon patch, was a critical source of income. In January 2021, farming returned to campus—on a big rig. During the 2019-2020 school year, the university’s student Enactus team, based in the Zapara School of Business, began work on its Freight to Table project. Through the Bostonbased Freight Farms program, the project will grow varieties of lettuce and leafy green vegetables, herbs, flowers, and roots inside La Sierra's Enactus team meets on Zoom during spring quarter 2020. Top a 40-foot shipping container row, second from left, team president Ariana Marquez. Enactus Freight using hydroponics technology. to Table Project Leader Joana Garcia Enriquez, third row, far right. The Enactus team is developing partnerships with the business For further information, visit school’s Hispanic Business Incubator https://enactus.lasierra.edu/freight-to-table/ and a new Title V-funded program that will incorporate STEM education into and in future years. Enactus, a global nonprofit based in summer curriculum for incoming freshmen. Freight to Springfield, Mo. is focused on economic and educational Table will also offer agricultural technology education to empowerment through business innovation and elementary students in local school districts. collaboration. La Sierra’s Freight Farms shipping container was “The reason we chose to work with the Freight Farms slated to arrive on campus toward the end of January. organization is their experience with other universities,” The Enactus team is communicating with local markets said Joana Garcia Enriquez, a La Sierra business and with the university’s Dining Commons toward management and finance major and leader of the Freight establishing produce supplier agreements. In the future, to Table Enactus project. “They have created a model the team aims to hire students to manage the farm as it in which we will have support from the purchase of the increases production. farm to beyond [for] establishing our own business.” The hydroponics farming project will be included “Before I was the project lead, I helped develop the in the team’s Enactus annual report and multi-media plan to implement a container farm on campus for STEM presentation during Enactus competitions this spring education,” said Enriquez. “This experience has been enriching. I have had the pleasure of working closely with “This experience has been enriching. others and becoming someone others can depend on. I have had the pleasure of working closely I have learned a lot about management, planning, and considering what’s best for the team.” with others and becoming someone ____________________ others can depend on.” By Darla Martin Tucker
La Sierra University
February 2021 31
