Willow Lake Farm
Carved out of the Geyer Forestry Research Center in 2008, the Willow Lake Student Farm was founded by Dr. Rhonda Janke and alumna Lani Meyer with the purpose of providing education in sustainable food production as well as high quality produce to the Manhattan community. In 2018, Dr. Jeremy Cowan assumed responsibility for the farm and expanded its boundaries to encompass over 7 acres, enclosing the production area with an 8’ deer fence. Currently, the farm:
- Serves as the primary teaching space for HORT 591 - Small Farm Practicum and an annual Permaculture Design Certificate course, in collaboration with the Kansas Permaculture Institute
- Provides hand-on experiences for HORT 520 - Fruit Production and HORT 520 - Vegetable Crop Production, and other courses
- Hosts faculty and graduate student research, including over 400 linear feet of replicated hügelkultur plots and new food forest/orchard plots
- Produces vegetables, fruits, and mushrooms served in K-State Dining Halls, JP’s Sports Bar and Grill, and sold to the campus community
- Welcomes community members for various workshops, field days, and other events
Mission & Vision
Our mission is to be a living laboratory for sustainable agriculture research, education, and outreach, while providing the K-State campus-community with fresh, local produce.
Our vision is to position the Willow Lake Student Farm as the premier small- to mid-scale, diversified farm research and training center in the Midwest. We focus on sustainable production of diversified specialty crops and building community through agriculture.
Community Supported Agriculture
Our CSA provides the K-State community with sustainably grown produce. This program also gives our staff and students the opportunity to engage with the community and learn to grow produce on a commercial level.