As a result of our study, we are recommending that our proposal for a 30’x96’ gothic style greenhouse be presented to the LaFarm Advisory Board to begin the process of securing capital funding for the project. As stated in our report, there is an apparent need for a greenhouse structure not only in the Lafayette community, but the greater Easton/Forks communities as well.  We believe that the construction of a greenhouse will help to fulfil this need.

With regards to the Lafayette community, we see the LaFarm greenhouse as an educational opportunity to foster curiosity and learning about sustainable farming practices on a small scale. We hope that a greenhouse on LaFarm will anchor it as an image for sustainability at Lafayette and through the inclusion of a classroom space, provide educational programming for an already growing student body.

With small farm/local food movements gaining momentum in recent years, we feel that installing a greenhouse on LaFarm would bring these movements closer to the Easton/Forks communities. In addition to acting as a center point for community agriculture within Forks Township, the LaFarm Greenhouse would act as a vehicle to bring the Easton/Forks communities together with the Lafayette campus community.

LaFarm is in a pivotal spot in its development, with planned expansion in conjunction with the growth of the college. We feel that, while the farm is growing in physical size, there needs to be growth in resources as well. The LaFarm Greenhouse is a resource that not only helps facilitate already planned expansion, but continues to push the limits of what is possible at LaFarm.

The next stage in the LaFarm Greenhouse Initiative involves securing funding and procuring resources for the implementation phase of the project. As stated in our report, we understand that attaining funds is feasible, however the source of this funding may vary. Thus, we recommend that moving forward, our presentation be submitted to the LaFarm Advisory Board for final review, then brought to the appropriate channels to obtain funding. Once this funding is secure, we suggest a new group work in conjunction with the LaFarm Advisory Board on the next steps in the process.

While our report lays out, as best as possible, a plan for installing the LaFarm Greenhouse, we recommend further analysis be performed into the implementation phase of the project. This involves everything ranging from procurement of final designs, schematics & blueprints, to developing a project schedule for the timely installation of the greenhouse. We believe that the culmination of the past 3 years of capstone reports have provided enough background & analysis to establish a clear and apparent need for the LaFarm Greenhouse and as such, recommend that a project schedule and implementation plan are developed based on our report’s findings. As a result of our project, our hope is that in the coming years, the LaFarm Greenhouse will move forward into the implementation phase, culminating in its final construction.