Brooks College of Interdisciplinary Studies at Grand Valley State University has established the Dave Feenstra Sustainable Agriculture Project Fund to honor the memory and work of Dave Feenstra at Grand Valley State University and to carry out his vision for the Sustainable Agriculture Project.

Dave Feenstra was a beloved member of the GVSU community.  He worked for Facilities Services for 18 years.  In that role, he had a tremendous impact on sustainability projects for the university.  He retired from his position  as a maintenance supervisor at GVSU relatively early in life to fulfill his life-long dream of farming.  Dave and his brother, Bern, ran the largest asparagus farm in West Michigan.  He also opened a 90,000 square foot greenhouse in Allendale, Michigan, to provide quality, healthy, and affordable plants to the community.  In 2014, he returned to GVSU as the Farm Manager for the Sustainable Agriculture Project (SAP).  He was tremendously influential in helping the SAP pass the necessary food safety assessments in order to provide produce to GVSU’s Campus Dining.  He also served as a mentor to many students and colleagues at the farm, selflessly sharing his expertise and leadership.  Dave also developed a strategic plan for the SAP that will guide  its expansion and operation for years to come.  He will be missed by many for his wisdom, caring heart, and thoughtful remarks.

The purpose of the fund is honor Dave’s legacy by  providing financial support for one or more GVSU students to work on projects  at the SAP in Dave’s special areas of interest that benefit the SAP and meet learning goals of the student.  Awardees will be named as “Dave Feenstra Sustainable Agriculture Project Interns”.  

Learn more about the Sustainable Agriculture Project

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Mail to :

University Development
Grand Valley State University
301 Fulton St W
PO Box 2005
Grand Rapids, MI 49501-2005

This fund is focused on developing paid internship positions for students to work for companies and organizations within the public, private, and service sectors. The Office of Sustainability Practices will work closely with career services and organizations in the community to develop positions where sustainable development best practices can be applied to help solve real world systemic issues.

To donate to the Student Sustainability Endowment Fund, you will need to select "new gift" or "payment on a previous pledge." On the next screen you will see our fund listed as the 4th line item. 

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This fund has been established for corporate donors, businesses, foundations, and other charitable organizations to contribute funds for ongoing Office of Sustainability Practices programs and activities both on campus and the community. These funds will be focused on providing support and resources for sustainability programs, activities and events such as with the opportunity to establish a sustainability speaker series on campus and partnering with other local colleges, universities and organizations.

To donate to the Sustainability Leadership Fund, you will need to select "new gift" or "payment on a previous pledge." On the next screen you will see our fund listed as the 4th line item. 

Make an Online Donation

This endowed fund has been established by Nichols, Inc. Muskegon, Michigan for providing scholarships to undergraduate students in their junior and senior years who are seeking sustainability related education such as with a sustainability emphasis, theme, or certificate.

To donate to the Nichols Sustainability Scholarship Fund, you will need to select "new gift" or "payment on a previous pledge." On the next screen you will see our fund listed as the 4th line item.

Make an Online Donation