As I reflect on my time at the farm, I am so impressed by the students and staff who dedicate themselves to growing fresh, healthy food for our community. Each year, the farm harvests over 16,000 pounds of produce — tomatoes, zucchini, cucumbers, eggplant, bell peppers, hot peppers, basil and more — most of which goes directly to the dining halls at University Park to promote a sustainable, farm-to-table ecosystem. As an embodiment of our land-grant mission, the farm also works to address food insecurity by making fresh produce available to all students at the Lion’s Pantry for free and at a pay-what-you-can pop-up market stand at the HUB-Robeson Center.
Not only does the farm offer a bounty of fresh produce, but it is also a place where students from seven colleges and all kinds of majors (from nutrition and English to hospitality management and engineering!) come together for leadership, pre-professional, academic and research opportunities. It is a place where students — like farm interns Vancie and Olivia — have the unique opportunity to explore their passions outside the classroom, grow their knowledge in their unique disciplines, find their purpose and make a tangible difference for their peers.
During my time at the farm, I was impressed by the comprehensive experiences Vancie and Olivia — and about 40 other paid student farm interns — are gaining. Much of their internship is what you’d expect — planting, tending and harvesting. But I also loved seeing them speak so passionately about their professional skills that would be valuable in almost any career.
During our conversations, they shared how they built up their confidence in public speaking during community tours and widely attended events they helped to plan. They talked about learning practical workforce skills like coordinating calendars and managing their supply chain to deliver produce to their community clients.
As Leslie, the associate director of food and farm systems at the farm, told me, “We aren't just growing produce — we are growing these students as professionals.” Without a doubt, faculty and staff members like Leslie are integral in mentoring and helping students succeed in any field they choose.
But what I found most inspiring was their true sense of community and belonging that grew on this four-acre farm tucked behind Beaver Stadium.
When I talk about student success, I know it can mean different things to different people and the question often gets raised, “What is the University’s role?” and “What is the real value of a college degree?”
I point to the farm as one of many examples of student success I’ve seen at Penn State.
My experience there only further cemented my belief that student success is not solely defined by GPAs. It does not start and end within a classroom. It's about holistic growth: building confidence and empathy and finding your passion and purpose.