Students Farm for Sustainability

Just an hour north of San Diego, researchers and students from the College of Sciences at SDSU are attempting to solve one of the world’s most prominent issues: resource depletion.

Located on the 5,000 acres of the Santa Margarita Ecological Reserve, the rock-hard soil of Aztec Farms is the testing ground for sustainable agricultural methods. One hundred-percent organic and pesticide free, the farm is meant as a tool to help researchers learn ways to grow healthy, organic food while preserving the soil and preventing the depletion of natural resources.

With such strong ambitions, it is remarkable that the project began with only one professor and six students.

“We got some tools and asked a local organic farmer to help plow, and we just did it,” said David Larom, SDSU professor and founder of Aztec Farms. “It’s been a very small operation but is about to become an actual, working farm.”

This semester, Aztec Farms will manage about two acres of orange groves, and transition them to organic by eliminating the use of pesticides and improving the soil without the use of chemicals.

The last time the SDSU College of Sciences tried to transition the orchards to organic, soil fungus and weeds rapidly became a huge problem. This time, Larom and his team of farmers are ready to take on the challenge.

“Starting this week, our farmer, Ali Taghavi, will be moving onto the grounds and bringing with him considerable expertise in soil microbiology and composting,” Larom said. “He and another Aztec Farms farmer, Eric Humel, are hoping to improve the soil quality and ease the transition of the oranges to organic management.”

Work optional

In keeping with the educational spirit, Aztec Farms is welcoming visitors with a kickoff Visitor Day at 9:30 a.m., Friday, Feb. 11. The event schedule is as follows:

• 9:30 – 11 a.m.: Introductory remarks, meet the farmer, property tour
• 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.: Potluck lunch
• 12:30 – 3:30 p.m.: Short workday for those who wish to volunteer

Those interested in carpooling should meet at 8:15 a.m. near the ticket machine in W Lot, located adjacent to West Commons and Viejas Arena. Driving directions and more information about the carpool are available in PDF format here.

“Our student and community volunteers did so much great work last season, and we welcome them back,” Larom said.

Fridays will be visitor and intern work days at the farm for those who are interested, Larom said.

The big picture

The farm is part of the Sustainable Agriculture Project of CREATE, the Consortium for Research and Education in Agriculture, Technology and Energy. Motivated by the unprecedented humanitarian crisis of the lack of basic human needs, such as water and food, SAP aims to:

• Conserve and regenerate soil through compositing of agricultural waste
• Reduce water usage and energy cost
• Produce high-value organic crops
• Increase food security and economic security by growing diversified crops

Keeping it growing

Aztec Farms has received a generous matching grant from the SDSU President’s Leadership fund. The grant will match any donations, dollar for dollar, up to $10,000. Contributions to the efforts of Aztec Farms can be made here.