Seattle University's Environmental Studies department recently received a $100,000 grant from Wells Fargo to continue its work in the area of sustainable agriculture.

A little more than a year ago, the Department of Environmental Studies began developing a farm at a wastewater treatment site in Renton. The school was able to harvest 7,000 pounds of produce from the farm that was then given to local food banks.

"It's just such a no-brainer," said Environmental Studies instructor and leader of the project Michael Boyle. "It's just a win-win all the way around."

The farm is a major component in a project led by Boyle and supported through the Department of Environmental Studies. The project, Seattle University Sustainable Urban Agriculture Project or SUSUAP, involves students and staff in the effort to bring sustainability to the city.

"Seattle University's innovative urban agriculture project is an important opportunity for Wells Fargo to invest in a sustainable food system that benefits the environment while also providing nourishment to members of our community," said Wells Fargo's Washington Regional President Patrick Yalung in a recent online article from the College of Arts and Sciences.

Junior Madelyn Hamilton has been very involved in the production of the farm for more than a year and recognizes the importance of promoting

local agriculture.

"Agriculture, for many reasons, is a fascinating thing," Hamilton said.

Hamilton has been an assistant manager of local farmers' markets, which has allowed her to see the economic side of food production, while working on the farm has let her experience growing food.

"It's a cool opportunity to grow food for people who really need it," Hamilton said.

The money from the Well's Fargo grant will be used to continue to provide local people with local produce.

"I'm already spending it [the grant money]," Boyle said. "Just last Saturday we got 40 trees for an orchard. We've got grapevines going in. I just sent off a seed order for a few hundred dollars and that will get me through this spring."

Hamilton encourages students to get involved, saying that a farm such as this is a great opportunity to give resources to people who need them.

"It's the perfect combination of social justice and environmental justice issues," Hamilton said. "Our food production systems are unsustainable. The way that we're growing food the world over, it's just not going to cut it in the years to come. This is a cool opportunity for students to learn about... what it takes to grow the food that they eat."

And Wells Fargo is ready to help.

"We think this project has the potential to be a model for the urban agriculture movement," Yalung said to the College of Arts and Sciences. "Our team members are also ready to get their hands dirty and volunteer at the farm. We are excited to be a part of this project."

Even though he wants to emphasize the importance of urban agriculture, Boyle isn't suggesting that Seattle U begin changing its curriculum.

"My intent is not to make us into an agriculture school," Boyle said. "I want to take advantage of our fame as a really strong business school and, being politically service-minded, create students that will go out and work for sustainable local agriculture."

Hamilton will be graduating next year, but she is confident that students, and the neighborhoods around the farm, will help to continue to produce local and sustainable food for the community.

Colleen may be reached at cfontana@su-spectator.com