SSM Students Visit Organic Compound

 

As part of the day, Upper School students visited two local farms and engaged in various activities designed to deepen their understanding of environmental stewardship. One highlight of the day was a visit to Organic Compound, which is a family farm and community garden located on the outskirts of Faribault. The farm focuses on sustainability and practices beekeeping, saw milling, hide tanning, deep mulch gardening, agroforestry, water and land management, composting, and food preservation. The mission of Organic Compound is "Empowering Leaders for a Regenerative Future."

 

During their time at Organic Compound, the SSM contingent potted nearly 1,000 elderberry cuttings, planted four varieties of willow in a hedge row, and built a living willow structure. These perennial crops will benefit the farm and the local environment for decades to come. The students were able to learn about the five practices of agroforestry and engage in establishing elderberry for food production and willow for its beauty, wildlife benefits, and use in basketry and esthetic purposes.

 

SSM Director of Community Life, John Blackmer, looks forward to a continued partnership with Organic Compound. “I hope this was an important event that will mark the beginning of an ongoing relationship with our agricultural neighbor just a few short miles down the road. Along with a creative, conservation-minded approach to farming, community involvement is one of their primary goals so I hope our connection with them can continue. It is important for our youth to learn more about where their food comes from and what farmers do to feed us. Many of our students had never stepped foot on a farm before, and I'm glad we were able to change that.”

 

To learn more about Organic Compound and their mission, click here.