Guidelines for Academic Programming at Star Route Farms

Academic programming for teaching, research, and service purposes at Star Route Farms will be conducted respecting the ongoing operations of the state’s oldest continuously operating row crop organic farm. Activities planned for the farm must be low impact and be organized in a way so as not to interfere with farm operations.

Below are the guidelines for academic programming at the farm. All use must be in compliance with the University of San Francisco and Star Route Farms policies and procedures. As our work at the farm continues, we may revise these guidelines as additional capabilities are added.

  • All activities require prior written approval by the Provost’s Office.  Please make your reservation here.
  • To help with the cost of after event clean up and cleaning supplies, we will charge a nominal fee of $180.00 per booking, per facility to your department. This fee will be charged to your FOAP after your event. Please provide FOAP at the time of booking.
  • No activities may interfere with farming operations. No entrance to fields is allowed without approval from the farm manager. Additionally, no one shall be allowed to be near any equipment (tractors, trucks, field equipment, etc.) nor any pumps or motors. Farm workers reside on the farm and guests must respect their living spaces, including restroom facilities, and must use only restrooms in Druid’s Hall and the Farmhouse.
  • All visitors must check in at the office and sign the visitor record.
  • Visitors must be wearing clean outer garments. Shoes must be in good repair.
  • All visitors must wash hands with soap and warm water before entering food-handling areas and after using restrooms or any time when their hands may have become soiled during their visit.
  • Smoking, vaping, and the use of any tobacco products (cigarettes, e-cigarettes, hookahs, pipes, cigars, water pipes, vape pens, personal vaporizers, electronic nicotine delivery systems, smokeless tobacco, etc.) are not permitted on farm premises.
  • No visitor infected with any infectious or communicable disease, which could spread, may enter the farm.
  • Irrigation ponds are highly regulated by numerous governmental bodies and access to or near the ponds is prohibited without prior permission of farm personnel.
  • Activities at the farm must be scheduled for daytime hours only, Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Upon special request, we can consider activities during the day on weekends as well. No overnight use of the farm is allowed.
  • Groups are normally limited to no more than 25 - 30 people in Druid’s Hall and 10 – 12 people in the Farmhouse.
  • No animals, other than service animals as defined in University policy, are permitted.
  • Alcohol Beverages should not be served on premises without prior approval by the Provost’s Office.
  • Parking at the farm is limited; groups are encouraged to use carpools and multi-passenger vehicles. No vehicles are allowed beyond the farm office. Parking is available in front of the office, in Druid’s Hall driveway, and along Olema Bolinas Rd.
  • Visitors must adhere to the speed limit posted at the farm.
  • Poison oak (and bees) are prevalent on the farm. Visitors are advised to take appropriate precautions.
  • At this time, Star Route Farm is not a full-service conference facility. While Events Management and Guest Services may, at their option, provide services to groups using the farm, users may have to take responsibility for some of their own arrangements such as food service, equipment set-up, etc.
  • Below are descriptions of Druid's Hall and the Farmhouse indicating the standard layout of the furnishings in each room. Groups using these facilities should return the furnishings to the standard layout at the end of their visit. In both buildings, the floors are soft wood and care should be taken to not scratch the floors. The large dining tables (two in Druid’s Hall and one in the Farmhouse) must not be moved under any circumstances. Folding tables and chairs are available for both facilities. Both buildings have exterior spaces that can be used for activities. Tables and chairs are available.
  • At the end of your event, all garbage and recycling must be collected from the facilities and taken to the dumpsters by the office and sorted.
  • At the end of your event, make sure heaters, lights, and fans are turned off and all windows and doors to the outside are closed and locked.
  • Do no use fireplace in Druid's Hall or Farmhouse.
  • Internet service in Bolinas is constrained and service is intermittent. Cellular service is fairly robust on the farm, but limited in town and just north of the farm. There is internet service at Druid’s Hall, but not at the Farmhouse.
  • The farm is not fully ADA accessible. Groups with participants with accessibility restrictions should contact the Provost’s Office for guidance.
  • If you have any questions or would like additional information, please contact Linda Wong.

Requests for activities that do not adhere to one or more of these guidelines require the prior written approval of the Provost’s Office.

Bolinas is a very small, residential community. USF faculty, staff, student, and guests using Star Route Farms will need to be respectful of the surrounding community and respect the privacy of neighboring properties.

 

Office of the Provost

(Rev 04/2019)

Event Spaces and Furnishings

Druid’s Hall

  • Room #1, 1st floor (living room; approximately 20 ft. x 25 ft.)
    • Two dining tables (fixed), one 8 ft. and one 10 ft. table with seating for 22
    • Soft seating for six
    • Folding chairs and tables
    • 70 inch TV on mobile stand
  • Room #2, 1st floor (sun room, in rear of building)
    • Comfortable seating for 8
    • Room for folding tables and chairs
  • Room #3, 2nd floor
    • Occupancy of the second floor shall be limited to occupancy of 10 due to fire code restrictions.
    • There are no furniture on this floor, however folding tables and chairs can be set up.
  • Back deck with table and seating for 10+
  • Rear Garden can accommodate folding tables and chairs
  • Full-service kitchen including cooking equipment, dishes, and silverware for 24+. Please use placemats (available) on dining tables for protection of wood.
  • Two bathrooms