Students who enroll at Mesa State College don’t do so in order to study agriculture. They couldn’t if they wanted to. However, just because MSC doesn’t have an agriculture program, doesn’t mean students would have to go all the way to Colorado State University for hands-on farming experience.
At the Cameron Place Community Supported Agriculture Farm, located at 3883 G 1/4 Rd. in Palisade, students and other community members can learn about the process of cultivating organic produce. CSA offers a number of packages in which individuals or groups of people can invest in shares of the farm.
For a certain price and a couple hours of labor, shareowners can receive a certain amount of the farm’s harvest. Although the farm does sell these shares, individuals who would like to volunteer at the farm are encouraged to do so and can sometimes even trade work for harvest.
Amy Picker, an MSC sophomore, contacted the CSA about working at the farm last summer.
“I love having fresh fruits and vegetables and I also think it’s important to support the local economy,” Picker said.
Although she receives more than enough produce from the farm, Picker explained that great produce is only one of the benefits of working at the farm. Her favorite thing about the CSA is the learning process involved with volunteering. She said that along with her time spent working on the farm she was learning everything from marketing and running equipment to how and when to plant all of the different plants. Picker said the CSA is a great place for anyone looking to learn about growing their own food
“The people who work there are really great,” Picker said. “They’re always willing to give advice and really just teach you while you work.”
While volunteers are always welcome at the CSA, the farm also takes on a number of interns for six month commitments. According to Jessica Washkowiak, the community director for the farm, four interns live and work on the farm.
“The interns are people who have applied and who are more interested in agriculture and horticulture,” Washkowiak said. “They’re generally looking to pursue a career in agriculture at some point.”
The interns are part of an outreach by CSA into developing community, one of CSA’s main goals. Washkowiak said that CSA wants the concept of localism to flourish in the Grand Valley area. She said that getting food from your neighbors is a great way to be a part of the community and that growing one’s own food is a vital part of being self-sufficient.
“Knowing where the food you eat comes from is great and it’s also great to know that you’re supporting the community,” Washkowiak said.

bwells@mesastate.edu