By Alexandria Baker
This Friday, October 21, the Outback Farm is set to become the site of a Harvest Jubilee. The celebration is set to include games, music, pumpkins and a campfire. Students are encouraged to bring along any and all instruments they may have to take part in a farm-wide jam session.
While the festivities are exciting, the Outback Farm remains an unknown to many students. Essentially, the Outback is a joint project between Fairhaven College and the Associated Students. The farm is five acres, and doubles as a wetlands restoration site, according to their website.
The Outback Farm is the center of the Outback Experimental Learning Program, the purpose of which is for students to learn about sustainable land use practices. In 2013 the farm added an outdoor classroom to further benefit students.
There is a long and varied history to the Outback as well. According to their website, in 1920 the land was homesteaded by June and Farrar Burn, and two cabins were built on the land. Over 50 years later, in 1972, Western students founded the Outback Pig Farm.
In the 80’s, a barn was built at the farm, and students began experimental living at the Outback. Additionally, Western classes began to take advantage of the farm. The first Earth Day was celebrated at the farm in 1996.
Since then, additional renovations have been made to the Outback, including a greenhouse, performance stage and designation as wetlands restoration land. The Outback Farm is now also integrated within the Associated Students.
Although students no longer live on the Outback, there are still ample opportunities to get involved with various projects. Currently there are four unique garden projects including the community garden, the herb garden, the education garden and the forest garden. The Outback Farm also raises chickens, since they no longer run a pig farm.
The Outback has several partners within various Western Departments, including the AS, Fairhaven College, L.E.A.D. and the WWU Office of Sustainability.
The farm is located on south campus, between Buchanan Towers and the Fairhaven dorms. Visitors and volunteers are welcome. Visit as.wwu.edu/outback/ for more information.
