Farming for fun and food justice

Owen Chase ’26 discovered microgreens after starting college, in search of a crop he could grow easily year-round. Now, they’re the centerpiece of his business, Just For Fun Farms.

Chase, a global environmental studies major, sells his greens at the Clark Collective pop-up markets during the academic year. Over the summer, he set up shop at the Worcester Regional Environmental Council farmers markets at Beaver Brook and University Park to reach new clients.

Participating in Clark Tank, the University’s Shark Tank-style competition, has been instrumental to Chase’s success.

“I learned so much about what a business needs to do to grow,” he says. “It was great to get into the mindset of an entrepreneur and win some funding.”

For Chase, growing microgreens is fun — as his farm’s name suggests — but it’s also an opportunity to tap into his passion for food justice. There’s a philanthropic component to his business, with frequent donations to local food pantries.

“People are always concentrated on what we can do to save the world. Is it recycling? Is it picking up trash? I do all these things, but I’m also really good at growing food locally and sustainably. So, I make that my focus,” Chase says. “It’s good for the environment to have locally produced food, and it’s good for people. Why not grow food and help give back?”

Challenge. Change. is produced by Melissa Hanson for Clark University. Listen and subscribe on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Find other episodes wherever you listen to podcasts.