HarvestFest 2025 will unite students, faculty, and staff to celebrate U-M’s dedication to sustainability, social change, and campus creativity. This annual event, a collaboration between Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Student Life Sustainability, will turn the Campus Farm at MBG into an open-air festival from 1-4 p.m. on Sept. 28 as part of Climate Week. The U-M community is invited to join student-led food programs, lawn games, arts and crafts, and food-centric connections.
Highlights of HarvestFest include faculty-led research on “pee-cycling,” plant-based recipe demonstrations by MDining chefs, and a beading activity with the University Musical Society at the Power Center alongside the Nigamon / Tunai show.
Student Life Sustainability employs a “Campus as Lab” model, using the university as a testing ground for innovative projects. Students engage in designing and implementing solutions to critical issues like food access, waste, and energy use. By integrating academic knowledge with practical experience, students are prepared to address climate and sustainability challenges.
Over 50 Student Life Sustainability interns lead campus projects, gaining career experience through mentorships. They form leadership groups such as UMSFP, Sustainability Cultural Organizers, and Planet Blue Student Leaders, injecting energy and creativity into campus life while building climate-resilient communities.
Projects like the Farm Stand, initiated in fall 2020, have reached the entire university community. In 2024, the Farm Stand expanded into a mobile trailer crafted from campus trees, designed by students with support from Joe Trumpey, professor of art and natural resources. It enhances local produce accessibility and highlights student-led sustainable farming at Matthaei Botanical Gardens and UMSFP’s Student Food Empowerment Grant program.
Other impactful student projects include:
- The FreeStore, promoting a circular economy by keeping items in use longer.
- The Sustainability Lending Library, which allows borrowing for events instead of purchasing.
- Joy Mapping, highlighting campus areas where people find comfort, reducing climate anxiety.
Student Life Sustainability collaborates with faculty and staff to achieve U-M’s long-term sustainability goals. Partnerships with Student Life Facilities focus on energy use, water systems, and waste management, reducing costs and moving towards carbon neutrality. These projects provide students with essential hands-on learning experiences.
To further these initiatives, Student Life Sustainability has launched a fundraising campaign aimed at expanding student opportunities. Donor support will enhance programs like the FreeStore and Lending Library, increase internships, and position U-M as a leader in student-driven sustainability.
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