Our Student Farm interns and executive team are essential to the operation and success of the farm. Throughout their time here, they become part of a close-knit Student Farm family. This December, we are sad to say farewell to three of our graduating farm team members, but we are excited to see the great things in store for their futures. Read on to meet our three amazing graduates!
Lana Mejias
During my sophomore and junior years, I interned with the Student Farm. My first spring semester of interning revealed my true interests. Taking care of all the plants in the campus greenhouses during the cold winter months transformed my college experience. This hands-on experience taught me so much that the classroom didn’t. I couldn’t wait to do it all again next year so I moved on to the TA position. I learned about farm management, teamwork, and resilience since the farm season ended up being delayed due to the pandemic. However, with Leslie’s support and other interns at the farm, we were able to create an at-home gardening video series to continue educating others. Overall, I’ve had many different roles with the Student Farm and each one of them marks a significant experience in my professional and personal life.
You can read a past blog post from Lana here, about her early experiences with the farm.
Jade Menow
I interned with the Student Farm during my junior and senior years. The experience for me has helped me discover my passions and plan for my career path post graduation. This hands-on learning experience has helped me develop as a student as well as in my professional life. My role on the farm has given me the autonomy and confidence to be a leader for other students. My favorite experience working as an intern has been managing the CSA program. Being able to connect with the community through a farm to table food system was very rewarding. Since my internship, I have become extremely involved in the Student Farm Club. As Executive Director of the Student Farm Club, I have been able to accomplish so much for the students and community members of Penn State. I owe my Penn State experience to the Student Farm and I appreciate all of the opportunities it has given me!
Read more about Jade’s early experiences with the farm here!
Brittany Mumma
My experience with the Penn State Student Farm was fundamental to my professional development. As an intern, CSFWS student, TA, and CSA manager, I gained a variety of professional skills that will directly translate into my future career. Since beginning my time with the farm in 2018, I have worked as a CSA coordinator, virtual plant sale delivery man, Big Ten meeting coordinator, and field hand. Each role and responsibility taught me something new, and pushed me to continue improving. Before interning with the Student Farm, I understood “Agriculture” to mean big, fossil fuel reliant, monoculture farms that systematically produce commodity crops and animal products. As a PSU Student Farm alumna, my understanding of the term agriculture has shifted. I see local food and sustainable agriculture as part of the solution to systemic racism, food access, and climate change. Local food is a starting point for conversation about big changes that need to happen. It is the a connector for people of all social identities, and a conversation catalyst. I cannot imagine my Penn State experience without the Student Farm. I am so grateful for the learning opportunities, professional development, and friendships I have made through my time on the farm.
Did you know, Brit was responsible for establishing our rooftop garden on campus in 2018? Check out how it has grown since here!
Also be on the lookout for Brit’s upcoming article about the state of student farms at Big 10 campuses.
Congratulations to our graduates! We wish you well and can’t wait to see all that you will accomplish in the future. We’re rooting for you!