University Farm's Guiding Principles

The University Farm’s 2023 Updated Guiding Principles (as of 2023) Are:

1. The Farm programs and operations support CWRU’s strategic initiatives of academic excellence, research growth, and community engagement while remaining consistent with the terms of the endowment. The Farm programs focus on support for the university's values.

2. As a Biology Field Station, CWRU research and teaching efforts should be afforded priority use of the Farm's grounds.

3. The Farm property should be operated in a manner that protects its nature based assets, the historic use of the property for farming, architecturally and historically significant buildings, and research potential of these assets, with a conservation philosophy.
4. The Farm property should provide the CWRU Community with recreational opportunities that allow the property’s natural assets to be protected and showcased for education and athletics.
5. As many CWRU students as possible should be provided an opportunity to visit the farm at least once during their career at CWRU either for a co-curricular programming, a credit class, a club retreat, or a service experience.
6. The Farm staff should provide several place-based or nature-based programs and opportunities for the CWRU community annually.
   1. Eg. led hikes, research showcases, food program volunteer days, food program classes, stargazing nights, etc. 
7. The Farm should strive to be of community benefit to the Greater-Cleveland community. This can occur in several ways: Farm food program collaboration with urban partners, Biology Field Station community collaborations, affording non-profit or school groups access to the property, and potentially others. These opportunities should be revisited by a Farm staff and Stakeholder committee annually.