We should be learning from every experience that presents itself to us. There is no difference between the quality of lessons learned from situations deemed “bad” or “good.”

The brain logo for this principle represents the need to think about obtaining a yield in a sense outside of the scope of growing food.  We are “growing leaders” at the University of Michigan and not merely herbs and vegetables.  Luscious and nutrient dense food, community, and introspection are only three of many reasons students at U of M volunteer at the Campus Farm or support the permaculture garden movement.  When we obtain a yield we do so in our stomachs, our brains, and within our hearts.

The University of Michigan Campus Farm is housed on a 2 acre property at the Matthaei Botanical Gardens.  The Friends of the Campus Farm student group on campus manages the volunteers and facilitates on-site projects with the farm manager.  Students interested in volunteering can e-mail farm.core@umich.edu or visit the UMSFP Facebook Page.

“The campus farm is a place for friend making, idea sharing, and contemplative action” -Madeline Dunn

Madeline Dunn and Sarah Schwimmer at the University of Michigan Campus Farm Greenhouse at the Matthaei Botanical Gardens

“Ensure that you are getting truly useful rewards as part of the work that you are doing.

The icon of this design principle, a vegetable with a bite out of it, shows us that there is an element of competition in obtaining a yield, whilst the proverb “You can’t work on an empty stomach” reminds us that we must get immediate rewards to sustain us.” -Holmgren’s Permaculture Principles