Community Supported Agriculture Program (CSA)

This program serves as the main marketing tool for Cal Poly's Student Experimental Farm. Each year the farm issues 50 memberships for about $365. This fee allows local community members to enjoy a large box of fresh and delicious organic produce each week. The membership lasts between 19-22 weeks, and begins during the spring quarter. This program began in 2000 and has become increasingly popular over the years. The box of produce is said to be enough to feed 3-5 people for a week. Occasionally, by the kindness of the farm, a bouquet of flowers will be added to the produce, to brighten the consumer's day. People that partake in this program are also encouraged to bring their children along to learn more about the farm, and just play. The Student Experimental Farm occasionally will host potlucks and other events for the members of the CSA.

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Sustainable Agriculture Resource Consortium (SARC)

SARC was founded in 2000 in order to advance sustainable food and agriculture systems in Cal Poly's Agriculture College . This program aims to create informed citizens of the issues of agricultural sustainability. Partnered with the Horticulture and Crop Science department, the SARC helps manage the Student Experimental Farm. SARC uses education, demonstration, investigation, and facilitation of collaborative efforts to inform the students of sustainability. SARC tries to emphasize the three main goals of sustainable agriculture; environmental health, economic viability, and social responsibility in the long term. This program was founded in the spring of 2000.

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Cal Poly Sustainable Agriculture Club

Cal Poly's Sustainable Agriculture Club gets the students directly involved in the issues of agriculture sustainability. They learn about permaculture, straw bale construction, holistic resource management, organic and biodynamic farming, sustainable energy sources, and many other aspects concerning sustainability. The club flyer says, "We are interested in exploring how we can empower our community and ourselves using environmentally sustainable resources." This club is not limited to agriculture students only, it's open to all students interested in the environment and sustainable agriculture.

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 The California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF)

The Student Experimental Farm has been CCOF certified every year since 1995. This program is one that inspects all California organic farms to ensure that no chemical fertilizers or pesticides are used in farming. Upon passing this test, the farm receives a certification. When certified the produce earns a higher market value. The CCOF inspects Cal Poly's Student Experimental Farm, as well as all other California organic farms, every year in order to ensure valid re-certification.

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Organic Enterprise Project

The Organic Enterprise Project is a class that takes place at the Student Experimental Farm. It allows students to get hands on experience and is open to students of all majors. Dr. John Phillips teaches this class (CRSC 202) beginning the summer quarter of 2004. CRSC 202 gives students experience with crop planning, production, harvesting and marketing. Students also have the opportunity to enroll and learn about cropping techniques specific to organic systems, sustainable agriculture, certification and CSA management.