During the 1995 spring semester two PSS students: Ryan Rich and Manuel Garay; wrote a brief proposal for independent study credit to Dr. Lorraine Berkett, the PSS department chair, outlining how to get a student farm up and running. At this time the Common Ground club focused solely on the student run-farm.
PSS generously provided seed money for the 1995 growing season. Greg Eurich, the Hort Farm manager, taught students to use the farm equipment and gave them pesticide training. The first season three PSS students: Jen Cirillo, Jeff Nissman, and Lori Porciello; grew vegetables and received credit for writing a 65 paged farm manual. These student presented the farm to high school students and teachers from the Agroecology Institute as an example of hands-on learning.
The farm manual provided detailed information on soil test results, irrigation, rotations, and growing each vegetable and herb crop, including weeds, insects and diseases. Though many faculty helped students with problems, the manual was review by Dr. Robert Ullrich, a Plant Pathologist in the Botany Department, Dr. Norman Pellett, an Ornamental Horticulturist in PSS, and Dr. Wendy Sue Harper. The students had intentions of developing a relationship with the Marriot Food Service, but used the first year as a learning experience. Vegetables and herbs were mainly donated to food-shelves or used for personal use. No records were kept.
