Facilities
Miller Farm consists of more than just our outdoor spaces. While you’ll find a full-fledged farm with a community garden and composting area, a lot of the magic happens indoors.
Our farm grows produce and manufactures other goods all year long. Our traditional outdoor spaces are supplemented with two indoor facilities to support this year-round farming cycle.
High tunnel system
High tunnels benefit a growing number of environmentally conscious farms, and Earlham is proud that Miller Farm is among them.
The high tunnel system enables Miller Farm to:
- Extend the growing season
- Improve plant and soil quality
- Reduce nutrient and pesticide transportation
- Improve air quality through reduced transportation inputs
- Reduce energy use by providing consumers with a local source of fresh produce
Earlham students raise a wide array of crops within the tunnel during all seasons. Although the plants grow slowly in winter, it still provides a steady harvest. Tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, okra, collard greens, onions, various herbs, strawberries, spinach and lettuce varieties are standard examples. Miller Farm continues to seek and develop technology for more efficient, comfortable high tunnel operations.
Begun in November 2016, construction of the tunnel was initiated and largely carried out by students with community members. Though it took a lot of labor, all enjoyed making this exciting project happen. Funds to construct the high tunnel system were awarded through a grant to Earlham from the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) under the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Hill Memorial Greenhouse
Located in the science complex on Earlham’s campus, Hill Memorial Greenhouse provides year-round educational experiences. In the Farm’s designated room, students run a variety of projects that support Farm operations, including: starting seedlings for the Farm, growing specialty plants, raising worms for castings and analyzing compost tea for bacterial counts. They also continue developing the “budding” library seeds for planting, selling and giving away.
Covering 2,000 square feet, the Greenhouse includes a conservatory, an extensive cactus collection, a potting and soil handling room and experimental units. Attached to the Greenhouse is a modern experimental field laboratory with computing facilities, a conference area and a lounge.
The Greenhouse is named in honor of Edward G. Hill, an internationally known developer of roses. He and his family maintained substantial nurseries in Richmond, Indiana, for nearly 125 years.
Want to learn more?
Lucy Enge
Miller Farm manager
For questions about Miller Farm, contact Lucy.