Xavier Urban Farms is a student managed on-campus Urban Farm located in the heart of Xavier University’s campus. In August 2014, a committed group of 4 Xavier University of diverse majors undertook management of the farm plot and began development of the enterprises model to produce a venture that would sustain economically. With the major underpinning values of community enrichment, education, and health, the resulting models reflect a wholesome dedication to integration of social consciousness into business enterprise. Taking form with advisory guidance from Xavier University’s experienced faculty members across all disciplines, the founding team was able to carry the farm from a neglected plot of land to a revenue and value producing entity.

Brief History

D’Artagnan EnterprisesUnder the guidance of Xavier University’s Williams College of Business’ D’Artagnan Enterprises program, Xavier Urban Farm’s founding team was able to carry the enterprise from an idea to a physical reality. Structured with the sole purpose of providing support and guidance to student run start-up businesses, the student run business program provided XUF with tremendous university and community connections.

Rebecca Woodul, CEO and general manager of Xavier Urban Farm. Rebecca is a Senior Undergraduate from Upstate NY

studying Economics, Society, and Sustainability. Rebecca has become enthralled by the type of dynamic team work that calls on

integrative problem solving, communication, and project management skills. She loves the entrepreneurial environment and plans to take up collaborative work that is creatively aligned with

environmental and social justice .

Jenny Niemeyer, CFO and assistant manager of Xavier Urban Farms. Jenny is a Junior Undergraduate from Findlay, Ohio, studying Management and Entrepreneurship. Along with her involvement in Entrepreneurship Club and the Student Run Business Program, she is an aspiring entrepreneur. Coming from a background in family managed business, Jenny plans to work in the start-up and local business sector in the Cincinnati area after graduation.

Executive Leaders

Cross Branding & Sales Portfolio During the first operational year, Xavier Urban Farm’s managing team were able to build an impressive portfolio of 11 local businesses ranging from Xavier’s on-campus Cafeteria to a local brewery.

15 Lbs. specialty beets sold to Listermann Brewing Co. for seasonal “Beets Me” brew

30 Lbs. tomatoes sold to Catch-A-Fired Pizza for their wood fired pizza

30 Lbs. tomatoes sold to Betta’s Italian Oven

(cont’d.)

15 pounds mixed produce to Xavier’s Hoff Dining Hall

50 pounds mixed produce sold to on-campus Coffee Emporium

35 pounds carrots sold to Listermann Brewing Co. for specialty spring Carrot Cake brew

10 Lbs. tomatoes sold to Dana Gardens on Dana Ave

20 Lbs. mixed produce sold to Xavier University’s August Farmers Market

5 Lbs. green beans sold to Ohio Valley Food Connection, local food aggregator, to be delivered to Otto’s Mainstrasse

(cont’d.)

Zero Food Waste Policy

Residual produce donated to St. Andrew’s food bank, Cincinnati’s downtown drop-inn center, SoupCycleCincy and Community Blend, local co-operative coffee shop.

Business Leadership Development

Under the guidance of a diverse and experienced advisory board, core team members learn the dynamic skills required to successfully launch, manage, and grow a farm enterprise.

Rigorous business management exposure in tandem with farm maintenance training, executive leaders have the opportunity to engage in a challenging leadership development experience, honing the vital primary skills of communication, integrative problem solving, and project management.

University Resources

Working closely with Xavier Universisty’s Physical Plant staff during the 2014-2015 academic year, the founding team was able to construct a 400 lineal foot fence enclosing the farm plot structured in compliance with Norwood and University regulations.

Experiential Classwork Collaborations

Adjunct Agro Ecology professor Susan VonderHaars orchestrating experiential classroom projects that supplements on-site composting system and utilizes open plots for experimental research.

Visit from local compost master Tabor to advise on-site hot composting set up that completes the nutrient cycle, integrates composting from local sources, and produces high quality soil for following growing season.

Synergetic Partnerships

Core team visit Rothenberg Rooftop Gardens in downtown Cincinnati to learn what such innovative educators are doing at a primary school level to integrate the garden into traditional education.

Meet with Ronald Vieira, FAVES on-campus eaterie, to explore local sourcing of XUF’s product.

Community Enrichment

Xavier Urban Farm hosts experiential visits from local high-schools and elementary schools during first growing season.

Find us on Social Media:

• Email: xavierurbanfarm@gmail.com• Twitter: @xavierfarm• Instagram: xavierurbanfarm• Facebook: www.facebook.com/xavierurbanfarm