Going green@ USM

GO GREEN Introduction
The idea of gathering information to try to get The University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast to “Go Green” is motivational. Our idea is to create an organic farm for the Long Beach campus. We know there is already one at the Hattiesburg campus, so we thought it would be great to establish one on the Long Beach campus, also. We have contacted Larry Lee to become informed on the steps we would need to take on the Long Beach campus to get the same outlook on the organic farm down here as the Hattiesburg campus. A great option would be to get one of the students, most likely in Hattiesburg, majoring in Agriculture to use the organic farm as an in-field experience. The student could help run the farm and manage it while other students worked it. We could create a club called “The Organic Farmers.” Students could join to be a part of this wonderful organization. The members of the club would help service the farm. The organic farm would be located on the Long Beach campus and would be open to the general public. Therefore, it would also be an advantage to our local communities. The money the organic farm made from the students, administration, and general public would help the farm pay for itself.
Fruits Should Be Incorporated in landscaping

One thing that should be address is the addition of Citrus tree, plum trees, pears tree, pomegranates and peaches in to the master plan as the University. Currently at Stanford University the student body now has healthy option in their cafeteria form the organically grown fruit harvested right on the grounds of the University. This program has been huge success with staff, as well as, student of Stanford.
Currently we are under renovation the gulf coast campus the addition to the master plan of buy fruit tree, instead of palm would save money.
Raised bed block style planting

Raised bed planting can help all people total access to participate with wide row to give wheelchair access. The raised bed also makes it easy to reach all sides of the garden.
Planting in a block style layout will increase yields five fold over traditional row garden and 15 times offer a typical kitchen garden according to Colorado States university web note. (Garden notes #713)
Fruits Should Be Incorporated in landscaping
One thing that should be address is the addition of Citrus tree, plum trees, pears tree, pomegranates and peaches in to the master plan as the University. Currently at Stanford University the student body now has healthy option in their cafeteria form the organically grown fruit harvested right on the grounds of the University. This program has been huge success with staff, as well as, student of Stanford.
Currently we are under renovation the gulf coast campus the addition to the master plan of buy fruit tree, instead of palm would save money.

Raised bed block style planting
Raised bed planting can help all people total access to participate with wide row to give wheelchair access. The raised bed also makes it easy to reach all sides of the garden.
Planting in a block style layout will increase yields five fold over traditional row garden and 15 times offer a typical kitchen garden according to Colorado States university web note. (Garden notes #713)

Growing season
The proximity to the Gulf Mexico will allow for 3 harvests a year from each raise bed. The addition of the fruit trees would add a fourth harvest.
Cool season


Warm
season


Late
season



Beets


beans


lettuce



Broccoli


corn


parsnips



Cabbage


Cucumbers


peas



leeks


Tomatoes


spinach



onions


watermelon


Swiss Chard



Leeks


squash


onions



peas


peppers


radishes





Placing garden and container
According to Mrs. Pat the head grounds keeper there is plenty of area on the gulf coast campus though final placement would be left up to DR. Taylor. In my opinion next to pavilion that would double as the framers market would be the idea placement of such a program. Container could be adding to existing locations around doorway a path were some containers currently located.


Community Benefits
One thing all off us in the state of Mississippi should be worried about is our health, the addition of a farm market to the campus sheared with a community of Long Beach and Gulfport would be socially responsible. The public relations aspect could be very good for the university. Today more student are thinking green could be a very powerful recruiting tool in years to come.

Sustainability
The belief that with a little help in funding at the very beginning to get the bed ready and some seeds the market would actually turn a profit. Through work study and volunteers to get it going and growing. The next year this could pay to hire a full time manager, as well as, contribute to a scholarship fund