FHSU University Farm
The university farm is almost as old as the institution itself, having started in 1908. The “college farm” was used to raise income crops to supplement the college budget, supply grain for dairy, hog and poultry projects, and to furnish food for the dining hall. It also was used to train students to work on family farms.
Today, the 3,400 acre farm adds strength to programs in the Department of Agriculture by allowing students to gain practical experience in production agriculture and to develop management skills. The University Farm operates primarily as a commercial farm, thereby providing a realistic laboratory to apply classroom learning and observe practical agricultural production practices. The farm also collaborates with local agriculturally related businesses, providing opportunities for students and producers to observe how animals, crops, equipment, land treatment and use contribute to agriculture production in the region.
Among the dry-land crops cultivated on the farm are wheat, grain sorghum, alfalfa, soybeans and corn. Livestock include beef cattle, swine and sheep. Not only are students exposed to the care involved in raising such crops and livestock, but they are also familiarized with what is needed to run a successful farm in today’s environment, management practices and financial aspects of the business of farming.
The farm consists of four major agricultural enterprises: