Grand Valley Expands Sustainable Agriculture

ALLENDALE -- The Sustainable Agriculture Project at Grand Valley State University added a second hoop house to its farming space, providing more opportunities for students to learn about sustainable agriculture.

The new hoop house, which allows the growing season to extend into the academic year, is 24 feet longer than the first hoop house that was built in the summer of 2011. Students, faculty and staff members donated more than 300 hours to build the new structure that will now have 22 beds and 40 percent more growing space.

Levi Gardner, manager of SAP, said the first hoop house was a huge success. "More and more students are visiting SAP to learn and work," he said. "The new house will more than double our capacity and will provide room for more classes to come out and visit."

Starting in October, volunteers will sell produce grown at SAP in front of the Transformational Link on the Allendale Campus every Wednesday, and will move to the Kirkhof Center in the winter.

The hoop house is a collaborative effort that includes support from Grand Valley's Farm Club student organization, Brooks College of Interdisciplinary Studies and College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Learn more about the Sustainable Agriculture Project here or contact the Sustainable Community Development Initiative at (616) 331-7366.