University of Arizona
Tier2-5: Sustainable Enterprise

The University of Arizona supports the development of sustainable business and entrepreneurial skills through many venues, but one venue in particular is providing hands on experience in sustainability for future business leaders. This venue is the University of Arizona’s chapter of Students In Free Enterprise (SIFE). Members of SIFE work with local organizations helping improve the productivity, efficiency and effectiveness of the organization as well as act as consultants for specific projects the organizations are implementing. SIFE’s most recent project, called “Food 4 Thought,” is helping students at the Wildcat School learn about recycling, school gardening, eating healthy, and composting. With support from the University of Arizona’s Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences, SIFE members are developing a business plan and applying for a grant for the school garden and education program that will ensure the longevity of the project into the foreseeable future in terms of financial and employee/volunteer support. Through this process students learn about and tackle issues of financial decision making, basic business sense and “strategic planning” for gardens and the usage of garden produce.