Posted on March 15, 2006
When Wayne Teel looks at the open fields on the corner of Reservoir Street and Port Republic Road, he sees more potential for the land than simply a new hospital building surrounded by parking lots.
To complement Rockingham Memorial Hospital’s plan to construct an energy-efficient and environmentally friendly hospital building, Teel, an environmental science professor, is collaborating with JMU students to propose the development of a community-supported farm on the land recently purchased by RMH.
Since the new hospital building will not cover the entire acreage, a formal presentation for Chief Executive Officer T. Carter Melton Jr. and RMH President James Krauss will be held to address how the extra land should be used. If approved, this farm would provide fresh produce for the JMU, RMH and Harrisonburg communities.
“It’s good to talk about environmental problems,” Teel said. “But until you learn to care for the land on a practical level, you won’t solve anything.”
According to NewFarm.org — a global agricultural research organization — the number of community-supported farms in the United States has grown to more than 1,200 since the first in 1980. These organic farms don’t use synthetic chemicals, herbicides or pesticides.
At the start of each season, members purchase a share of the harvest to cover the operating costs of the farm for that year. For about $450, shareholders receive a weekly basket of fresh, organic fruits and vegetables capable of feeding a family of four from June to early October.
“Most food travels 1,500 miles to get to your plate,” said Lee O’Neill, co-owner of Radical Roots farm in Keezletown.
Beth Schermerhorn has been involved in the proposal process since Teel presented the idea to his sustainability class over a year ago. His inspiration for the plan came from an initial proposal by RMH to have JMU students help with the design and landscape of the hospital building itself.
RMH’s objective is to become certified in “Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design,” which is based on a set of requirements determined by the U.S. Green Building Council. To become an acknowledged leader, RMH is striving to meet the standards set by this council. Points are given for each criterion that the hospital fulfills to determine the LEED level that the building will be granted. RMH is aiming for silver status and if passed, the farm would give them two LEED points.
Schermerhorn and senior Leah Wolter have played major roles in researching and writing the business plan for the project. The plan also involves the construction of a greenhouse and an environmentally friendly building to be used as an office and storage space. A roadside stand would make produce available to those in the community.
The Harrisonburg farm would offer work shares so members could work on the farm for at least two hours a week to lower the price of his or her share.
As another opportunity for education and involvement, the plan proposes that JMU offer a “farm-for-credit” course. Students would learn about sustainable farming methods in the classroom and receive hands-on experience working on the farm for a designated number of hours. Seasonal or semester internships would also be available.
“Experience is important because each CSA reflects the entire movement,” O’Neill said.
O’Neill worked on organic farms in Oregon before moving to Virginia to begin her own. She said she believes that her opportunities on the West Coast had a great influence on the success of Radical Roots Farm and she hopes that students can gain similar experiences through hands-on education.
“Soil is where it all starts,” she said. “Healthy soil leads to healthy plants.”
Said Wolter: “And eating healthy is living healthy. Eventually we are interested in providing a food source to RMH and JMU. California already has over 30 hospitals that obtain their food from organic farms sold in nearby markets.”
Though plans to provide fruits and vegetables to such major markets are far off, “Farm to Hospital” and “Farm to School” programs are established all over the United States, according to the Urban & Environmental Policy Institute’s Center for Food and Justice.
“Our number-one goal right now is to gain the support of RMH and JMU so we can apply for a grant,” Schermerhorn said.
According to Teel, both JMU and RMH representatives responded positively to the plan when he first presented at a meeting last month.
“Our whole nation has been disconnected from the environment,” Teel said. “We need to recognize that agriculture is something you can do and it can be enjoyable.”
