Download the Final Report in PDF format

View online resources from the Final Report

click here

Bringing Sustainable Food into Youth Outdoor Education

By Jennifer E. Farley

Project Description:

            This thesis was completed in December 2006, and is entitled “Bringing Sustainable Food into Youth Outdoor Education.”  It is a farm-to-school program model and assessment; their purpose is to promote the purchase and cultivation of fresh, local, nutritious, and sustainably produced food to visitors and seasonal residents of the McCall Outdoor Science School (MOSS), located at the University of Idaho (UI) McCall Field Campus.  In the past, food served at the campus came from distant sources and the food system was not based on a model that promoted local, sustainable use of food or the building of relationships in the community between local farmers, the environment, and local economy.  This study provides contextual baseline information and guidance for implementing a farm-to-school program that aims to reestablish those connections by purchasing food for campus meals from local sources.  It also outlines recommendations for the development of a campus greenhouse for produce, a composting system, and ideas for incorporating food system lessons into the MOSS curriculum.  

A mixed method, case-study design was used to explore research questions.  Research questions evaluated the potential barriers, opportunities, and benefits for developing a farm-to-school program at the UI McCall Field Campus.  In addition, analyses of both the UI McCall Field Campus and McCall area food systems (specifically production and distribution) were conducted to provide the context for implementing local food initiatives and research in the McCall area and UI McCall Field Campus. 

The results indicate that a farm-to-school program with MOSS and the UI McCall Field Campus is possible now on a small-scale, and there is wide support for serving local and sustainably produced food in campus meals.  Changing the current UI McCall Field Campus food system may reveal both barriers and opportunities; however, the campus and broader UI institution are currently expanding sustainability initiatives, and a farm-to-school program could build on this effort.  Key factors to implementing a successful farm-to-school program will include building relationships based on trust, communication, and respect among key stakeholders, and patience and persistence from those initiating the changes.

This project was a partnership between the University of Idaho (a Talloires Declaration signee), Rural Roots, Inc., and the McCall Outdoor Science School.