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Swarthmore Farming HistoryUp until the early 20th century, Swarthmore College had a strong tradition of agriculture. In fact, when members of the Society of Friends discussed the proposed college’s location, they agreed upon the necessity of placing Swarthmore in a rural setting, away from the “corrupting influence of the city.” Members also declared that provision should be made for an “extensive practical acquaintance with the natural sciences… and with the arts of agriculture and horticulture.” At his inauguration, president Magill praised the farming tradition, stating that during the time students receive their “intellectual training,” they should also receive “an abundance of fresh air and exercise” through farming. Two years later, in 1874, the campus expanded by purchasing the historic Ben West house and the surrounding 93 acres of land known as the West Farm, or the Westdale Tract, at the south end of campus. By 1876, the West Farm had been put under “excellent cultivation,” and a barn was built in 1878, followed by an additional larger barn in 1879. By 1884, the annual report of the college stated that the farm was continuing to improve and was supplying “plenty of good milk and vegetables.” However, sometime in early 20th century Swarthmore abandoned sustainable farming due to the increasing commercialization of American agriculture and a larger student body. Having free-range chickens will allow students to partially reclaim Swarthmore’s farming heritage and some of the founding principles of the college. College Participation and Sustainability However, students at Green Mountain College in Vermont (a small liberal arts college with a strong environmental curriculum) recently pushed for the reclamation of their colleges farming history through the inclusion of a working farm on campus and of an agricultural base within certain courses (more information can be found here). In addition to goats, ox, sheep, and an organic garden, the small farm at Green Mountain College contains an eco-friendly chicken coop with 100 chickens. While some of Swarthmore’s peer institutions (such as Middlebury and Yale) have recently started substantial organic gardens, there appears to be very little effort to push beyond produce. As a well-respected institution with a significant amount of influence in the world of higher education, Swarthmore now has the chance to hold a unique position among our peer institutions by being one of the only liberal arts colleges to operate a small-scale sustainable poultry farm. Sources: |