Food Systems Major

December 21, 2024

From Farm to Table: Understanding Washington State’s Food System and Seasonal Produce

Students created a workshop and accompanying produce guide for Washington Farmland Trust, an organization dedicated to conserving farmland in Washington State. The workshop includes an overview of the food system, a discussion of Washington State’s food system history, connections between farm conservation and food access, and tangible ways to support local farms. The produce guide…

Promoting and Protecting Local Farms Through Public Engagement

In partnership with Washington Farmland Trust, students created a recorded presentation, educating the public on topics important to farmland conservation. The presentation included information and research from scholarly articles, previous course knowledge, and government sources, and focused on the history of farming and inequity in the field, loss of farmland, farmland conservation, and ways that…

December 20, 2024

A Guide to Power Mapping

Students collaborated with Tilth Alliance as the organization sought power mapping tools to inform their strategic planning process for the coming years. This partnership allowed the teams to delve into power mapping, its uses, and applications, and to help identify the right tools to ensure the nonprofit would be able to create power maps effectively….

Educational Signage at Bradner Gardens Park

Students collaborated with Tilth Alliance to create an online educational resource expanding upon information presented at the Bradner Gardens Park learning garden. The team developed collection ofinfographics within an interactive e-book, which were linked to QR codes on the garden’s physical signage. Community Partner: Carey Thornton, Tilth Alliance

Creating Educational Signage for Tilth Alliance at Bradner Gardens Park

Students worked with Tilth Alliance’s Bradner Gardens Park to create educational signage promoting community involvement in local food systems and empowering sustainable gardening practices. The project addressed the need for informative signage and developed a method for community engagement through sign-making, while focusing on ways to center equity and sustainability. Utilizing data from Tilth Alliance…

Designing a Solar and Non-Electric Hydroponic System for iUrban Teen’s STEM-Based Garden

Students collaborated with iUrban Teen and Rainier Community Center to develop an outdoor hydroponic system showcasing sustainable farming and promoting STEM education for BIPOC students. The project included designing nutrient testing protocols and creating blueprint designs of hydroponic systems to support a larger initiative that aims to educate the community on environmental health and food…

Danny Woo Community Garden Weed Identification Project

Students worked with community gardeners, volunteers, and garden managers at Danny Woo Community Garden to create educational materials, a tri-fold brochure, and a bilingual guidebook to educate volunteers on how to identify and remove weeds to improve the garden’s productivity and long-term sustainability. The guidebook served as a comprehensive learning tool for volunteers, providing them…

Danny Woo Community Garden Noxious Weed Guide and Plant Map

Students collaborated with the Danny Woo Community Garden (DWCG) to educate first-time volunteers on the importance of identifying noxious weeds and how they negatively impact crop productivity and lead to unsustainable food systems. The group helped create a weed guide by researching weed information and proper control methods, and contributed to a visual, interactive satellite…

Soil Testing for Black Farmers Collective

Students collaborated with the Black Farmers Collective to support their efforts in promoting sustainable farming at Seattle’s Yes Farm. The project focused on improving soil health and farm productivity by offering a detailed soil health report, an educational presentation, and informative signs to display around the farm. Using soil sample analysis and community engagement, the…

Black Farmers Collective: Soil Nutrient Management Plan for Yes Farm

Students partnered with the Black Farmers Collective at Seattle’s Yes Farm to improve soil health. By conducting soil tests and analysis, the team provided the farmers with practical recommendations and educational resources, including a website and signage with actionable soil management information. Community Partner: Ray Williams and Tajinique Ruffin, Black Farmers Collective